USA > New Jersey > Hudson County > Jersey City > History of Jersey City, N.J. : a record of its early settlement and corporate progress, sketches of the towns and cities that were absorbed in the growth of the present municipality, its business, finance, manufactures and form of government, with some notice of the men who built the city > Part 19
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The city prison during all these years had been in the basement of the town house on Sussex Street. On December 11, 1852, a small frame building at the northwest corner of Wayne and Henderson streets was rented for a station as a more central locality. The city then included Van Vorst township. This frame building served for a station-house eight years, and prison- ers were kept in the basement. Sometimes they broke out and ran away. Champney resigned on October 2, 1852, and John R. Benediet succeeded him as captain. McManus also got out,
126
HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
and was followed by Charles J. Farley as assistant. In 1854 Farley was made captain, and James B. Dunn became assistant. In 1854 Hiram Fenn was made chief of the day police at a salary of $800. The rest of the force received $500 a year. The fines were used to reduce the police appropriation, and the amount inserted in the city budget for the department was $9.000. In 1855 Thomas B. Kissam was made chief, and Charles A. Tanner assistant. In the following year the force consisted of the chief, two aids and twenty patrolmen. In 1857 Benjamin Haines was made chief and John Ayres assistant, and there were twenty-eight patrolmen. The fines and liquor license fees were added to the police appropriation that year, and the department figured in the tax levy for $16,000. On March 27, 1858, four men were detailed for detective service. These were the first detectives the city had. In 1859 Jacob Z. Marinus was made chief. The following year the force was increased to one chief, three aids and thirty-two patrol- men, with an annual appropriation of $20,000. The new station-house at Cooper's Alley and Gregory Street, in the rear of the city hall, was built that year. It had a basement provided with brick cells; the first story contained the police offices and the second the Recorder's Court. There was a tall tower on the top of the station-house, from which a watch was maintained for fires, and a large alarnı bell was suspended about half way up, to summon the firemen. The tower decayed, and had to be taken down about a dozen years later.
In 1862 Edward D. Reilly became chief, and in 1862 the force was increased to thirty-four patrolmen. The salaries of aids were increased to 8700 and of patrolmen to $650. In 1864 the high prices of war times caused another increase in salaries, the chief getting $1,100, aids, $850 and patrolmen, $800. In 1865 the appropriation had increased to $37,000, and the police force began to be a factor in local politics. The department was under the charge of an aldermanic committee, and the aldermen found the officers efficient election workers. When an alderman failed of election his appointees were removed by the successful candidate to make room for his ·workers, who were, paid by police appointments. The State had been under the control of the democratic party for ten years, either by control of one or both branches of the legislature, and the people made a change in 1866. Both houses were republican, and one of the reforms de- manded was a reorganization of the Jersey City police force. Gov. Ward had carried the State. John Hill was speaker and Jas. M. Scovill was president of the senate. It was easy to pass a republican measure. A bill to create a board of police commissioners became a law on March 23, 1866. It created the Hudson River police district and gave the city a form of police gov- ernment which is practically retained to the present time. The commissioners named in the act were Jno. W. Pangborn, Henry Fink and Isaac W. Scudder. They organized on April 20th, eleeting Jno. W. Pangborn president, Stephen Quaife clerk and Dr. B. A. Watson police surgeon. He thus became the first regular police surgeon. On April 18th the new commis- sioners sent a communication to the aldermen requesting an office and meeting room. A resolution was adopted granting the chief's office at police headquarters, making an appropria- tion for furniture and tendering a committee room in the city hall for temporary quarters.
On April 20th the police commissioners took the oath of office before Recorder C. C. Martin- dale. On April 25th the aldermen rescinded their resolution and directed the city counsel to oppose the police commission in the courts. Quo warranto proceedings were instituted under the direction of Mayor Cleveland. On April 26th the mayor went to police headquarters and made a speech, urging the police to resist until the courts decided the appeal. On April 28th the commissioners met at Scudder's office in the Darey buildings to receive applications from members of the police force for appointment in the new department. The board hired a vacant store at the corner of Gregory and Henderson streets as temporary headquarters. On May ist these appointments were made from the old force : J. H. Onslow, Ira Smith, Lewis Shaffer, Michael Walsh, Copely Cottrell, Michael Campbell and Hugh Killeen. The new men appointed were : Jonathan H. Baldwin, T. Crimmins, C. O. Stivers, J. O'Connell, C. C. Rose, J. H. Rommell, George A. Maxham, E. F. Platt, W. 11. Campbell, D. W. Garvin. A. D. Fordham, William Reen and Michael Callahan. The uniform was a cap, club and badge. On May 5th William Ams- den, Edward Ridgeway and - Steinberg were added to the force. There were then two forces patrolling the streets, and it required but ordinary ability for anyone to get arrested. Mayor Cleveland took such an active part in the proceedings that the force was called the mayor's police to distinguish it from the lawful force. Charles Stivers, a newspaper man, was
7;
.
JERSEY CITY DETECTIVE FORCE AND OTHER OFFICIALS AT POLICE HEADQUARTERS.
I.
Chief Benj Murphy.
Sergt. S. A. Archibald.
6
Deter tive Colville Smith.
Michael Dovle,
3. Clerk Gilbert Robinson.
7.
.. Peter Morri
12.
John Clos,
1.
Sergt. Joseph C'arrid1,
14. Police Headquarters
Detective Michael Kilcauley, Q.
.. George Douglas,
2. Inspector Wm. Il. Lange.
.. Michael McNally.
13. Robt. Pearson.
127
HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
temporarily appointed chief, because Joseph MeManns did not at first know what side he was on. He had been elected chief under the act of 1861, which made the office clective. The new law recognized him as the chief, and provided for his successor after he had served his term. He soon saw that it would be to his advantage to get on the side of the commissioners, and Stivers was removed to make way for him. This left Captain Jordan in command of the mayor's forces. Public feeling was very much excited, but the coolness and intelligence of the police commissioners prevented a clash between the forces. The case was decided by the courts in favor of the commissioners, and the decision has formed a precedent that has been quoted in every quo warranto case in this State ever since. After the commissioners were put in pos- session of the department they appointed most of the members of the old force, only the no- toriously incompetent being dismissed. The act under which the commissioners were appointed provided that none but American citizens should become police officers, and that the members of the force should not be removed without cause, and only after they had been heard on writ- ten charges. This was a long advance in the direction of competent officers and good discipline.
A great deal of political capital was made of the fact that the commission was appointed by the legislature, and a demand for home rule was made by the outs. It was not heeded until 1868, when the democratic party again controlled both houses of the legislature. The Hudson River Act was repealed, and an act passed creating the Jersey City police district. Under it Thomas Gaffney, Solmon W. Hoyt and Ephraim Pray were appointed commissioners. At the succeeding election the people were to elect a commissioner to hold office three years, and one each year thereafter. The recorder continued a member of the board, and the people elected Mr. J. Gopsill as the additional member. Thomas Gaffney was elected president, and Recorder Cornelius C. Martindale Clerk pro tem. One of the earliest aets was to remove McManus and appoint Nathan R. Fowler chief. Patrick Jordan, Jarvis L. Ayres, James Farley and James Mann were appointed aids. The force consisted of forty-four patrolmen and two detectives. and the service was fairly efficient. This board and force remained with little change until after the consolidation charter in 1870. The last appropriation for the force in the old city was $62,000.
The act to reorganize the city government, passed in 1871, created a legislative commission to govern the police department. The commissioners named in the act were : Thomas A. Gross, Isaiah S. Ilutton, E. M. Pritchard, F. A. Goetze and Thomas Edmondson. George Warrin was elected clerk. Chief N. R. Fowler resigned and Edward McWilliams was ap- pointed in his place. The four captains were removed and their places were filled by the appointment of Abraham Van Riper, Charles Mahon, James G. Parker and John Benson. Several new sergeants were appointed, but no changes were made in lower grades worthy of mention. MeWilliams became the point for a political attack and resigned. Captain Mahon was removed. Robert P. Dickson was appointed as captain and detailed as inspector. This was a non-partisan move, as he was a democrat and the board was republican. He was a very efficient official. Several scandals arose in connection with the department during the summer. but they were not of a lasting character. Later in the year Inspector Dickson was made acting chief. On April 5. 1873, Gross, Hutton and Pritchard retired, and the new appointees were : Jacob Z. Marinus, Walter Neilson and William Van Keuren, who, with Goetze and Edmondson holding over, constituted the board. They appointed B. F. Champney as chief on April 9th, and on May 7th reduced Inspector Dickson to detective and appointed Benjamin Murphy as inspector. He had served in the army with distinction, rising from a private to the command of his company. He had aided in forming Company C, Fourth Regiment, N. G., N. J., and was its captain. Ile was known as a good disciplinarian, and the board wanted the force drilled by a military man. lle has proved all that was expected of him. He has been chief for a number of years, and the present excellence and discipline of the force is mainly due to his efforts. Chief Champney introduced the photographing of criminals and made a beginning for the rogues' gallery, now a feature of police headquarters. In August, 1873, the first mounted police were appointed for suburban duty. The financial depression of 1873 was felt by the police department in delayed salaries and by a reduction in the appropriations for 18;4. which fell on the officials. The board made an effort to prevent it, but the board of finance would not allow the full appropriation. The pay-roll was reduced $16.680. In 1876 another re-
128
HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
duction of $30,940 was made in the salary list. There was little of interest in police history during that year. The democrats did not regain control of the legislature until 1877, and then they got it by a deal, in which a democrat was made speaker in a tie house. They had control sufficiently to get a bill passed by which the election of police commissioners by the people was ordered. The election was held in April and six commissioners were elected. They were : James T. Hough, Matthew Monks, David C. Joyce, Nathaniel R. Fowler, Anton Schick and John Q. Bird.
The old board consisted of Commissioners Thomas Edmondson, Walter S. Neilson, William Keeney and Louis A. Brigham. Some of them were willing to attempt to hold their positions by force while an appeal was made to the courts to decide the legality of the aet under which the election was held. Many active republican partisans thought it should be done, but some of the commissioners were unwilling to be bothered with a legal contest, and they wisely de- cided against opposition. The change of political complexion in the board at that time meant for most of the rank and file in the force a speedy dismissal. Perhaps this had something to do with the fact that the officers of the department were willing to obey orders to prevent the new board from taking possession of the station-houses, if that had been deemed advisable. The old commissioners held a meeting on the night of April 22d, the night before the new board was to meet. At the end of the meeting, early in the morning, they decided to allow the new board to take possession quietly. In the meantime rumors had been circulated through the city that there would be violence when the new board attempted to take possession. The new board held a long consultation with Leon Abbett and Henry Traphagen, the corporation counsel and attorney, and it was decided that they should go to police headquarters in the morning, and Abbett should make a demand for possession as a preliminary for legal proceed- ings. At nine o'clock on the morning of the 23d Abbett and the commissioners went to the police headquarters, and much to their surprise no one offered any opposition. A large crowd had col- lected in front of the building. It was largely composed of the lower element in the city, and included several hundred applicants for positions on the force. The mob intended to seat the new commissioners by force. Of course they would have been promptly dispersed if they had committed any overt act, but the loudly expressed determination showed the character of the crowd. The new board organized at once by the election of James H. Hough as president, and Daniel McAghon as clerk. They had a slate prepared before they reached headquarters, and they elected new officers for the department at once. Chief Champney was removed and Michael Nathan elected in his place. Competent men were removed to make way for men who knew nothing about police duty. A few competent men were retained to instruct the new- comers, but they were reduced in rank and pay. It was a disgraceful exhibition of partisan rapacity, and for a time did away with discipline in the department. The offense has never been repeated.
The police appropriation of 1871-2 was $190,000. In 1872-3 it was $250,375. In 1873-4 the board of finance reduced the estimate $42,000, and the appropriation was $207,500. During 1875 and 1876 the board was engaged in reducing expenses, because of the difficulty found in meeting the city's expenses. When the outs got in they showed the insincerity of their elamor about extravagance by an appropriation of $385,250. In July, 1877, the threatening aspect of the railway strikes caused Chief Nathan to appoint 500 extra patrolmen. They were retained one week, at an expense of $4,645.60. They were known as the sparrow police and were abso- lutely useless. Chief Nathan had no time to make a selection, and the force consisted of men out of employment.
In 1885 both branches of the legislature were republican in politics, and a law was enacted which put an end to the wholesale removal of rank and file when the political color of the board changed. This was the tenure of office law which guarantees the position of competent men. Since then the force has improved in discipline and efficiency. The act was prepared by Chief Murphy and approved by all chiefs of police in the State. It failed at several sessions of the legislature before it finally became a law, but since it has been in operation it has proved so valuable that no partisan legislature will repeal it.
In April, 1889, the legislature passed a new charter for the city, which repealed the act under which the police board held office and authorized the mayor to appoint a new board, to consist of three members. There was some talk of resisting the new board, and the mayor
-A
FIRST PRECINCT, JERSEY CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT.
1. Capt. Frederick T. Farrier, 4. Sergt. William Duffy, 2. Sergt. James Hopkin».
5. Patrick Malone. 3. James O'Brien,
7. Kound man Frederick E. Hellmer.
Chas. E. McGinnis,
٠
129
HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
decided to appoint as one of the three James E. Kelly, who was a member of the old board and had been re-elected under the old act. This weakened the old board and left but President James N. Davis and Commissioners M. O'Donnell, Elias P. Roberts, Thomas Nugent and John Smith. One of these was rendered lukewarm by promise of subsequent preferment. The others were anxious to make a legal contest to retain their positions. To accomplish their pur- pose the aid of the chief was necessary, and they decided to deprive him of all authority by a resolution which made President Davis acting chief. The clerk was ordered by resolution to withhold all books and papers from the new board and to refuse to act for them. Chief Murphy was sent for and he was asked which board he would obey. He said he would not say what he would do, but would expect to be suspended if he disobeyed any orders. While the board was still in session Commissioners John P. Feeney, Cornelius H. Benson and James E. Kelly, constituting the new board, entered the room, They had already organized by the election of Commissioner Feeney as president. The old board had just adopted a resolution to take a recess when the new board entered. President Feeney walked to the president's desk, took the gavel from the hands of ex-President Davis, who was so much astonished that he made no resistance, and before the old board realized what had happened he had called the new board to order. He then directed the clerk to call the roll. The clerk attempted to read the resolution adopted by the old board in relation to the clerk's action. Commissioner Benson objected because the police commissioners had not yet adopted any resolution. The clerk tried to explain, but was ent short by a peremptory order from President Feeney to call the roll. He said he could not do it, and left the room. Commissioner Benson was then elected temporary clerk and the roll was called. The new board was proceeding with its business when the old commissioners raised a tumult and adopted a resolution to eject the new board. Ex-President Davis ordered Chief Murphy to eject the police board. This order produced a silence and caused every eye to turn to the chief. He held,the key to the situation. He promptly recognized the new board as the legal board. The old board adopted a resolution deposing the chief, and did a number of things before the orders of the court and their own common sense came to their aid. AA decision of the Supreme Court in favor of the legality of the new charter was speedily obtained. The department was well managed by the new board. The force was increased in numbers and its efficiency strengthened by the electric patrol system and patrol wagons. Commissioner Benson was the first of the members to drop out of the board. He tendered his resignation before his term expired and the mayor held the place open for some time, while an effort was made to induce him to accept reappointment, but he would not. Benjamin Van Keuren was appointed on April 23, 1891, and President Feeney was reappointed when his term expired. That year the legislature passed an act creating the office of police superintendent. It was an unnecessary office, but it was promptly filled by the appointment of Christopher P. Smith. He held the position until 1894, when the legislature abolished the office.
In 1892 the election of Mayor Wanser changed the politics of the board. There was one republican commissioner, Mr. Van Keuren, and the vacancy caused by the expiration of Com- missioner Kelly's term allowed the mayor to appoint Col. H. H. Abernethy, the commandant of the Fourth Regiment, as a commissioner. In 1894 Van Keuren's term expired, and P. W. M. West was appointed. The change made no difference to the rank and file. There were no dismissals. Chief Murphy is still the head of the department.
In 1870, the year of consolidation, the force consisted of 1 chief, I inspector. 4 captains, 16 sergeants, 2 detectives and ris patrolmen ; in 1871 two patrolmen were added, but dropped again in 1872, and replaced in 1873. No change was made in numbers until 1878, when twenty patrolmen were dropped for want of funds to pay them. The number remained unchanged until 1885, when twenty-two patrolmen were added. Five more were added in 1886, fifteen in 1887, ten in 1888, ten in 1889. ten in igo. In 1891 the patrolmen were increased to 200. In 1894 the total force consisted of 1 chief, I inspector, 7 captains, 1 surgeon, 31 sergeants, 13 de- tectives, 14 roundsmen. 209 patrolmen. ; doormen, 8 drivers and 7 janitors. It is governed by three commissioners, who hold office two years, have a clerk, and draw $1,000 each in salary. There are seven precinets in the city with station-houses, and the police board has charge of the city board of health and the city hospital. The beats patrolled by the force aggregate 300 miles of streets. The force is divided into seven companies, each having a captain, four ser-
130
HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
geants and a roundsman. Each company is sub-divided into two platoons, and each platoon into two sections. The detectives are not uniformed. The captains make a daily personal re- port to the chief at 9 o'clock every morning. Each precinct is laid out in day and night posts, and the patrolmen on the posts learn the habits of every family, so they can tell at a glance if anything unusual is transpiring.
In 1884 the Police Mutual Aid Society was organized. Each member contributes $6 a year as dues. Since it was organized it has paid in sick benefits, $10,266, and for death benefits. $19,692, aggregating, $29,958 to September, 1894. The officersare : President, Charles H. Cox ; Vice-President, Alexander McCoy ; Recording Secretary. Gilbert P. Robinson ; Financial Sec- retary, Charles M. Solomon ; Treasurer, Fred. T. Farrier ; Sergeant-at-Arms, Alexander Wat- son ; Medical Examiner, John Nevin. M. D.
In 1887 the legislature passed a law providing for the retirement on half-pay of members of the force who have attained the age of fifty years and have served on the force twenty years. At sixty years of age the retirement is compulsory. The act also provides half-pay for officers on sick leave. The act was submitted to a popular vote in April, 1887. before it became opera- tive, and the people accepted the provisions almost unanimously.
.
The members of the Police Commission since the board was established under the old Hudson River act have been as follows :
John W. Pangborn, 1866-8
Legislative.
John Q. Bird, 1877-9 1877-8
Elected.
Isaac W. Scudder,
I866-8
J. T. Hongh,
Charles Finke,
1866-8
F. W. Wright,
1878-80
Ephraim Pray, 1870
Elected.
John S. Smith, 1879-81 66
Samuel W. Hoyt, 1871
=
Charles Steir,
1879-81 =
John McCarthy,
1870-1
J. H. Halladay,
1880-2
Samuel Besson, 1870-1
Patrick Malone,
1880-2
Matthew Monks,
1869-71
Patrick Buckley,
1880-2
William Taylor,
1870-1
Abram Van Riper, 1881-5
Thomas Gross,
Legislative.
Clayland Tilden,
1885-7
Isaiah Hutton,
1871-3 1871-2 1871-3
James Clark,
1884-6
Thos. Edmondson,
1871-7
.4
E. P. Roberts, IS86-8
Fredk. A. Goetz,
1871-4
Thomas Nugent,
1886-8
Walter S. Neilson,
1872-7
1. H. Fenner,
1886-8
Wm. Van Keuren,
IS73-5
James E. Kelly,
1887-93
66
Jacob Z. Marinus,
1874-6
66
John II. Smith, 1887-9
=
Louis A. Brigham,
IS75-7
60
John P. Feeney,
1889-95 Appointed.
David C. Joyce,
1877-80
Elected.
C. H. Benson,
IS89-91
N. R. Fowler,
1877-9
Benj. Van Keuren, 1891-4
Matthew Monks,
1877-9
H. H. Abernethy, 1893-6
Anton Schick,
1877-9
P. W. M. West,
1894-7
The Clerks of the board have been :
Stephen Quaife, 1866-7
George Warrin, 1871-6
Wm. MeLean. 1868-70
Daniel MeAghon, 1869-71
John W. Ellison, 1876-7 Daniel MeAghon, 1877-80
G. P. Robinson, 1880 (incumbent).
.
Wm. Keeney,
1875-7
Edward ()'Donnell, 1887-9
James N. Davis,
1887-9
=
Arend Steinken,
1874-6
1. J. Struble,
1884-6
66
Ezekiel Pritchard,
Thomas Gaffney, 186
Otto W. Meyer,
1879-87
.
-
.
.
€
SECOND PRECINCT, JERSEY CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT.
1. Capt. John F. Kelly, 2. Sergt. Robt. Jelly. 3. Willian' Coffin, .. Chas McDevitt,
5. Detective Michael F, Clark. 6. Roundsman N. A. Toppin,
.. John Engels,
4.
8. Second Precinct Police Station.
131
HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
The appropriations for the Police Department since consolidation have been as follows :
1871
$235,300 00
1883
$228,999 88
1872
260,000 00
1884
234,539 88
1873
207,500 00
188
254,439 72
1874
433,750 00
1886
266,239 80
1875
378,030 00
1887
286,023 88
1876
343,250 00
1 888
323,645 80
1877
290,250 00
1889
350,173 45 .
1878
288,250 00
1890
438,653 72
1879
228,249 84
1891
391,186 76
1880
230,849 84
189:
414,843 88
1881
232,049 88
1893
394,466 00
1882
221,799 93
1894
392,765 00
POLICE OFFICIALS OF THE PRESENT TIME.
Benjamin Murphy was born in Ireland, January 25, 1845. His parents removed to this country during his infancy. Before he was seventeen years of age he enlisted in the Eighth N. J. Infantry, which regiment formed a part of the famous Second New Jersey Brigade. A year after he entered service he was made a corporal and assigned to the color guard. where he remained until the battle of Gettys- burg, when he was made a sergeant. At the battle of Chancellorsville he with another of the guard were all that came off the field, the other seven having been killed or wounded during the engagement. He and his com- rade were also wounded, but did not leave the field until the regiment retired. At Gettysburg he was wounded, having been hit three times. Before the Wilderness cam- paign he was promoted to first sergeant, and as such commanded his company through the Wilderness and Spottsylvania campaign and up to Petersburg, when he was promoted to first-lieutenant. In May, 1865, he was pro- moted to the captaincy. He is one of less than twenty men of his regiment who served with it continuously from its organization - until it was mustered out, without having been absent during its service of four years and eleven months. The regiment took part in thirty-eight general engagements and lost nearly nine hundred men.
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