The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1909-07-06
MOST DIR ASTIC UPHIAtAL IN THE
i POLICE HISTORY YES
TERDAI.
William T. Baker Succeeds Dismissed
Commissioner Theodore Bingham.
INSTRUMENTATION the Reason AS
si9ned-POliticS, 1t Is Claimed.
(By the Associated Press.)

New York, July 1.-One Of the
most drastic uDheayals IN New York
City's police history occurred today
when Mayor Mcclellan summarily re-
moved Commissioner Theodore A.
bingham for characterization, after
the latter's refusal to comply with
certain orders issued by the mayor
yesterday. The mayors order came
at the conclusion OF MS investiga-
ton into the alleged persecution by
the police of George Il. Duffy, an in
conspicuous and almost friendless
brooklyn lad, who it was ayerred, was
repeatedly arrested Without just cause
and whose photograph was retained
in the rogues' gallery despite the fail
ure of the police to obtain q convic-
ton against him.. The mayor held
that at least two OF General Bing-
hams l~eutenants were guilty Of mis-
in this affair and accordingly
he demanded their removal.
With General Bingham's retirement
today went several Of his closest ad-
Hisers and the leading supporters Of
hs regime. AS the head OF the new
regime, the mayor at once appointed
William F. Baker. hitherto q deputy
commissioner, which indicated that a
coniderahie change il the policy of
the department was to De expected.
The law Will hereafter be en-
forced he declared, with reference
to the fact that New York is a cos
mopolitan city with q cosmopolitan
population"
General Bingham and his friends
We're tonight outspoken in their dec
laration that the principal reasons for
the mayors act were political, and
that the commissioners independence
OF the politicians had resulted in his
emoval only q few months before the
municipal elections Of the autumn In
d statement tonight the commissioner
said:
I leave the office with very little
regret. 1t is a f%atiguing task, and
this is what it leads TO.
politics have brought about his
change I have done the best / could
to give h city q clean and honest
police administration free from any
Of any party politics. But with
the approach Of an election the
bosses were satisfied thai it would
never do to have 4 police commis-
sioner who gave q square zeal all
around.
There are many things in the ad-
ministration of New Yorh-s police sys-
tenn, which should be changed. l
was changing them as fast as possible
too fast, ] guess, from the outcome.
above all l have tried to keep the
police department free from political
CONTROL. and it is safe to say that as
Il result | have been the most un-
popular commissioner among the poll
that New York has ever had"
The head Of the Citizens Union
"2vo out a statement in which he
saids
We are with General Bingham be-
cause We know he has not handled
the police force in the interest of any
politics or party. In view Of the vital
m Dortance of a fair election and an
honest count this fall We had hoped
he would continue in office"
General Bingham, who is a grad
uate of West Point, came 70 the New
7 ork police department shortly after
ne had retired from the United states
Army with the rank OF bcigadier gen
'faI. lie had occupied the post Of
Scperntendent of public grounds and
DpIldlngs at Washington but when
l0sldent Roosevelt succeeded McKin-
- frequent difference Of opinion be-
J"ten the two resulted in General
II-tsll"1h 5 removal to an army post in
1,"HdIo,, WheFe the loss Of a leg in
lie performance of his duties resulted
III ms retirement.
1lS appointment as police commits
S!o1ef was Mayor McCiellan'S declara-
Oh independence Of Tamnany Hall
7I4 OF opposition to political control
Of the police.
General ~Bingham's last important
,'-clai act was his acceptance Of the
sT~SIshatlons of his secretary, Daniel G.
ana his deputy commission
Etrt Hanson, +. Bugher and Ar
woods. He had previously de-
.I,ncd to Dust Siattery all0 Hanson
" nose removal the mayor demanded,
II was principal upon this point
nat the split came.