The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1902-12-31
CITY SUSTAINS
A LOSS
Dr.. John D. McGill Retires
Today From the Board
Of Police Commis-
siontrs.
IMPROVED THE FORCE
By His Skill and Labor the,
Department. Has Been
Brought to It's Pre-
sent Efficiency.

DR.. John D. McGill will attend his
last meeting of the Board of Police Conn
missioners at FIVE o'clock this afternoon
in the capacity of Police Commissioner.
The meeting has been called for the
purpose of approving the minutes of the
last meeting of the oBard at which the
acting patrolmen were promoted 1t is
expected that DR.. McGill will be present.
ed with a set of resolutions on his re-
tirement.
Dr. Mct.illewas appointed Police Com
missioner by Mayor Hoos three years
and eight months ago He did not seek
the office but was repeatedly asked to
accept the appointment until he finally
consented. He was President of the
Board for two years and eight months
and since that time has been the minor
ity member
When DR.. McGill first became menu
Der of the Board the Department was in
poor condition. He set himself to work
to improve in every way the existing con-
ditions
How much the Department has inn
proved is shown by every officer of the
force by the manner which he bears upon
the streets and the efficient service rem
dered the city in every way.
STRICT DISCIPLINARIAN.
DIR. McGilI was the originator Of the
present system of grading new members
of the force, for which bill was later
! passed through the efforts of Chief MUIR
ply. This system is looked upon as
being one of the best in existence. Dur
ing the time which DR.. McGiil was
president of the Board be was known as
Esa strict diseiplinar;an, though there wssA
not man on the force who would not
say that his Judgment was always fair.
In cases where the offences we're of
| minor Importance justice was meted out
as nearly fair as possible and in all
cases of drunkenness dismissal was the
Inevitable result.
No political pull would avail a delin-
quent officer whether he be Democrat
Or Republican to escape paying the full
penalty of any breach of discipline of
which he was convicted.
The present efficient Board of Health
which Jersey City has now brought to
i It's pIeSeitd SlHuudTu tls eAce1ltEtC1 Dy III.
| McGill's efforts alone The Board of
Health was simply a name when the
Doctor went into the Board bnt it rapidly
became what it should be under the vig-
orous steps taken by DIR. MeGill. ,ltn
were appointed to hold various offices
i who We're practical physicians /, system
attic line OF work was mapped out which
has enabled residents of Jersey City to
practically have no fear OF epidesnies OF
contagious diseases.
CITIZENS TRIBUTE.
A prominent citizen said when speak.
ing of DR.. McGilrs retiring. When DIR
AIcGill retires the Board will have lest d
general. lie has shown himself equal to
even a majority and | doubt if the Re.
| publicans have even walked up to the fact
as yet that they have bene outgener-
aied.
They will End when it comes time to
make ali accounting to the + party for
positions on the force that they will have
no chance of making any appointments.
Dr. NfcGil has placed them in such 4
position that there will not be moneg
enough TO make new appointments but
he has in no way put them in danger Of 4
shortage. The promotion of these young
men in the department viii with the ap.
poiiltments previously made BY the doe
tor. Just about tie up Commissioners
Mitchell. Tillen and McNnlty SO as they
can make no appointments whatever for
a year 10 come.