Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-22
MAI. SYLVESTER HOME
TELLS OF MEETING OF POLICE
CHIEFS ASSOCIATION.

MAJ. Richard Sylvester, chief of police,
mas returned from Hot Springs, Ark, where
ne attended the annual gathering of the
international Association of Police Chiefs
he was reelected president Of the organ
lzaton, 1t being the sixth time he has been
selected TO fill the highest office within the
GIT Oh the association. When the time ar
rived TO elect president Mai. Sylvester
was disposed not to permit his name to go
before the convention, but the other mem
oers would not listen to his objection He
thougnt he had been honored SO many
times that 1t was time for another to suc-
coed him. His declination had been antici-
pated by many members Of the association
and about 200 of them had prepared a pa.
per containing request that he permit the
use of his name
recognizing your valuable and efficient
service as president of the International AS
soclatlon of Police Chefs the request
read and also believing in a continue ton
IN once OF those who can and will devote
their time and render such service as will
pest take care Of the interests of the organ
ration ana It's members. We, therefore,
most respectfully and earnestly request
that you again permit US to place your
name In nomination for reelection to the
office of president"
When Maj. Sylvester realized that the
members of the association were deter
mined to present his name he quietly with
grew his objection and his election fol-
lowed. He was taken somewhat by sur
prise by the action of his friends, but he
managed to address them briefly.
Subjects for Discussion.
Following the election of officers of the
association several matters of Importance
were discussed. One was an effort to have
the association indorse the law of Delaware
which provides the whipping post for bur-
gary William A. Pinkerton listened to re-
marks made by Chief Black of Wilmington,
VINO told of the successful operation of the
law. Then the head of the Pinkerton
agency announced that he desired to say
rev words upon the subject. A revival of
the ancient custom, in his opinion would
work a reform In the matter of petty steal
Ing and other minor offenses. The fear of
punishment of this kind, he declared, would
be equal to one-half the efforts of an eff
cient police force.
They dread this humiiating punish
ment." Mr. Pinkerton said
Mr.. Pinkerton closed his remarks with
the emphatic statement that thief who
enters house after midnight with a revolt
yer upon his person, upon conviction.
should be sentenced to death. Several
other chiefs participated in the discussion,
and motion was made by Chief Frank
D. Clancy of Helena, Ark. that the asso-
citation put itself upon record as favoring
the fixing of the death penalty for burglary.
Would you have man who was intoxi-
Gated and technically guilty Of burglary
hanged?' Maj. Sylvester asked.
The motion was declared out OF order,
and the question was not voted upon. 1t is
stated, however, that great majority of
the chiefs in attendance seemed to favor
some change being made in the matter
of punishments for wife heaters. wife de-
serters and burglars. Before the close of
the session Benjamin Murphy, chief of the
Jersey City department, delivered an inter-
esting address upon THE Model Chief
1t is probable that the meeting of the as
ISOLATION next year will be held both in this
city and jamestown, Va. Maj Sylvester
suggested that the convention might
semble in this city, spend one day here
and then conclude It's labors on the steamer
and at the exposition. The question is to
be determined later by a committee ap-
pointed for the purpose,