The New York herald., 1870-04-07
POLICE TRIALS.

West Farms Politicians Venting THOR Griev.
nnces-A >Mccting mt TrenOnS-JOha u.
Haslsins and William Herring-sergeaat
Steers Under ChLrGes.
Commissioner Brennan yesterday heard evidence
In the following cases-
Henry c. Van Orden, Twelfth precinct. violation Of
rules. two days pay; Charles Burns, Twelty-eshth,
violation OF rules, one days pay; John Trainer,
Twenty. eighth, violation Of rules, one days pay;
George ". Davidson, Eighteenth, neglect OF duty.
comp. amt dlsmlssed Leroy stevens, Eighth, VIOLA
tion OF The rules, one days pay.
sergeant Henry v. steers, OF the Tnlrty-secon
precinct. was charged with improper Conduct, tue
complainant beng John b. Haskins, OF 1remont.
Mr.. haskins In opening the case. announced that on
payers Of the town opposed 10 the tax levy OF 1859
was called 1Or the purpose or entering
avenue. The meeting was held at Etnes's
Hall. which was paid Tor by complainant. Before IT
assembled ne Call. d upon Sergeant Steers, and t0d
him he would mold him responsible for the preserva-
tlon OF order witness was Chairman OF the meeting.
ana after the cali had been READ and approved bs
counsel lor Steers, entered at the head OF
gang OF rouZhs. who were collected irom
aud tnreass became general on taetr part.
Complainant several times asked the sergeant TO
o man named Peter cummings attempted to strAe
nm Win stick aud one Mc6fide struck at min.
After Herring and his gang Had carried resolution
and adjourned the meeting part OF them left.
Then the sergeant told the crowd to keep quiet,
and stated that as an officer he would
u
CITIZEN hs did not want to do 50. THE comp laiuant
swOre that from Steers course at the meeting In
permitting Herriny's gang to tage possession OF the
hal and outvote them and the TACT that he was
interested in opening Madison avenue, having
property near BY, nc was satisfied thai tue Sergeant
was interested in breaking up tne meeting aud
affated with the raDbie.
william Ueniug confirmed HaakinS' testimony,
expressing his beel tnat Steers encouraged the dis
orderly proceedings. Constable Vreeand swote
that o preach OF the peace had been COMMITTED aud
the Sergeant took NO means TO preserve order. J.
Is. Sheridan, stanOgrapner testified as TO the lam
guage Of sergeant Steers which was IN substance
that he did not wish to put them out Oncer Meade,
Thirty second precinct, on being sworn for the pro-
secuon, expressed the belief tnat the sergeant dd
have acted differently without producing riot.
Mr.. lrapnagan OF the firm Of rdphagan Hun.
ter, was sworn, and IN the main sustained the COM
paint. he heard Steers say II complainant would
point out the men he wanted remOveu he would 40
SO II It cost him @ leg. lie further expressed tue
belief that Herrings language ana course were cal
culated to cause u riot.
The counsel Tor the prosecution called few wit-
nesses testify " steers bearing at tne meet
ing. Morris WlikinsstestlGed that Steers conduct
was excellent; hissjudgment ana discretion good;
exerted himself ~ preserve oroer William Il. Leat.
Justice OF the Peace, gave similar testlm0ny, and
admitted that he remained outside where he could
look In through wtnoow and see The show without
endangerng ais health.
During the hearing OF the case there were present
over twenty prominent residents OF fremont, who
took deep interest III Haskins' battle with the
Steer and Herring. tHaskins labored nard to pickle
ihe accused ana ms counsel but certainly failed TO
make out q case against the 0t1cer.