The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-03-11

=, - l = @ 'on' "e " J. Express, March Q.
y SECRET OF SUPERINTENDENT KENNE

J S., y
! THE SECRET OF SUPEKINTFNDENT KFNYt
~ ~ - OPERATIONS AT THE SOUTH-H
WANTS TO BE UNITED STATES MARSHAL
good deal has been said relative to the plot t
assassinate Mr. Lincoln on his way to Washington
! the credit Of frustrating which was claimed fo h
| due to Mr.. John a. Kennedy. The trial of Detec
tive Alvin Williamson, which took place this morn
| ing before Commissioners Bowen and Acton, ma
throw some new light upon Mr.. kennedy's agenc
in the matter. Mr.. Kennedy preferred two charge
against williamson, which are follows:
CHARGEI.
Il do hereby charge Alvin Williamson with neglect {
DUTY and disobedience Of orders. Specincation-n this
that said Williamson was absent without leave from Sat
urday, March . until this morning, March 6, from hi
precinct duty. In this, that said Williamson absente
hlmseii from the Metropolitan District without leave
III UeHahce oI refusal to allow him leave to so.
John A. KENNEDY.
81 hereby charge Alvin II. Williamson with intoxica
uoh ana grossly improper conduct SpecicatiOn-In ha
sad Williamson, on the afternoon of March l, appeared
IN the oice of the Superintendent in state of noxiea
ch IN TINS that said Williamson, while in the presence
OF the Superintendent, demeaned himself in disrespect
u manner using language highly improper in the pre-
sehce oil his commanding officer
"Jouy A. KENyEDY7
The foundation for these charges is found in the
interview between Mr.. Kennedy and Williamson
on that aiternonn. 1t appears that williamson
nearing that detectives were to be sent to Wash
lngton, on the occasion of the inauguration asked
OF Mt. Kennedy permission to go. This was blunt
ly refused, and when Williamson pressed his re-
quest, he was ordered out of the room.
Inc refusal was accompanied by the threat that
unless the officer departed instantly the Superin-
tendent would kick him out. MIR. Williamson took
exceptions to such course of discipline, and in
formed Mr. Kennedy that he was not big enough
10 KICK h!m out, and this is alleged to be the eds
respectful demeanor" charged. Williamson also
immediately rendered his resignation but the Su-
perlntendent refused to lay it before the Commits
sloners, saying that he should prefer charges
against him, and have him dismissed from the de-
partment.
This course was pursued, and the trial came on
this morning. MIR. H. A. Bliss clerk in the In
spector's office, adjoining the Superintendept's
was called as witness for the prosecution. He es
uheo 10 having, while seated at his desk, heard
portion OF the conversation between Kennedy and
Williamson, and his impression then was that the
latter would not have used the language he did
had he not been under the influence of liquor
FOR the defence, Mr.. Williamson called nine wit
neSses, OF the highest respectability who testified
to his being perfectly sober, both Immediately be-
lore M and alter his interview with Mr.. Kennedy.
Inc charge OF abSenting himself from the Metro
polltan District not denied, but the following
statement sworn to by Mr.. Williamson, was sub
mltted in evidence:
THAT as to the charge of neglect of duty and dsobedi
ece OF orders made against him the sixth dav of said
March, he saith that he had then rendered his resignation
as policeman of the Police Department and that the
bringing OF such charges the result Of malice ON he
part OF John A. Kennedy Superintendent of Police ho
hau previously under color of his official authority ende
W lluuCc MN, Iie Sau respondent, while actinp
detective of the said Police Department to nroceed re Tho
cities OF Baltimore and Washington for purpose wbchwas
developed ny conversation which took place between
me Sau hehnedy and this respondent on an evening in
the latter part of December last at the Headouarters f
the Police Department in this city; ; that on the coca.
sion referred to the said Kennedy summoned this
ent to the apartment of the said Kennedy who thcn and
there said substantially follows 1 understand that
you are pretty good Republican, to which the said re-
sPondent replied Yes, understand myself to be so;
that said Kennedy then said Intend to send one
to the cities of Baltimore and Washington for
UNDERSTOOD that they are organizing plot or plots
mere 10 assassinate the President elect; all events
desire 1T to appear So that do the President
a service; have been spoken of a candidate for
me once OF u . Marshal OF the Southern District
and don't know but that shall be a candidate;' thai
this respondent then said that he didn't think himself
very smart at that Kind of business and that he
dy) could find one to do it who was more canahi
that the said Kennedy then replied in short tone VERY
well, when this respondent left the room This respon
dent saith and distinctly charges that the sobcdence f
orders above set forth f his conduct in declining to 90 o
Baltimore and Washington stated can be called sncbl
IS the only instance of any dsobedience of orders on is
part since ne joined the police department. and up to the
time that he sent in his resignation as herein ahovn
stated Ihat subsequently, and after rumors had been
heard of plot to asSassnate Mr. Lincoln This
determined if possible and in the conversation Of
SAID hennedy to go the city Washington and ascer
tam there was any foundation for such reports and To
TINS END went to the office Of the said Superintendent on
the first day of March to ask leave of absence which was
ouSlvey refused by the said Kennedy; and that in con
sequence ot such refusal this respondent rendered his res
Snaton so that he could 20 to the city of Washington
ALVIN II. WILLIAMSON"
Other officers undertook the duty which Mr.. Will
hanson had declined, and went to Baltimore, and
thence TO Washington, and said to have made
the discovery of the plots, upon information of
which, Gen. Scott and Mr.. Seward induced Mr.
Lincoln to change his programme
The police authorities of Baltimore DENY with
emphasis that any plot organization has had ex
istence, or would be tolerated in the Monumental
CITY, ana declare that the only danger which
threatened Mr.. Lincoln existed in the fertile brain
OF the New York policemen.