Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-09-01
THE POLICE COURT SCANDAL.
Judge SMELLS Remarks to the Omeers
of the Court.
(Aarg<s .fgafsss Them or be Re-
mored-Ths 0fseers Mast be
Temperate and T1rfHOas.

Before the regular business of the Police Court
opened this morning Judge Smell made the fol-
lowing II marks:
"In returning to my duties i'm this court-in
view OF the publicity and prominence given TO
It's afiairs-t may be proper 10 address a word
70 the officers of the court once more, especially
those affected by the rumors and charges made
against them. The officers of nv Immediate
al pointment are not numerous, Consisting only
OF A Il. Gray, ESQ.,, Clerk, and recently the
very acceptable acting Judge Of the Court; Mr..
VIM. U. ! homas and Henry Lacy, bailifis of the
court But all others having duties about the
court, assigned here by whatever authority are
In some sense officers and employees of the court
and are responsible to il and the public for the
and proper discharge of all 1.-THE important
uuues win winch they are severally charged.
Ihis court will expect from each and every
omcer connected with il strict attention to bust
ness, temperance and virtue i'm their daily con-
duct, and unquestioneG honesty and integrity I'm
the discharge of every public duty. Violations
OF these fundamental requirements, tending TO
reflect dscredit upon the court with which they
are connected, viii be deemed sufficient cause
for removal, if appointed by the court, or appli-
cation for displacement, IL such officer Is APP
Pointed by others. i have not, as vet, received
either charges or evidence against any officer of
the court. When received / shall endeayor to
examine and weigh the evidence. The proper
way TO present charges against officers Is to do il
in writing, addressed TO this court. Such charges
by responsible parties, supported by proof, win
ever secure the prompt attention their import
ance demands. But these charges, though
coming somewhat informally, from only one
portion OF legislative body, serious and i'm
answered.
So much time has interviewed since the sub
stance of these charges TRANSFERRED the court
viii expect the earliest attention viii be given
TO the subject, and the answer to them, with the
evidence upon which 1t Is based, will be looked
Tor during the coming week.
by the act Of Congress creating the Police
Court, the Marshal of the District Is made the
collector and treasurer of fines and monies re-
ceiyed by the court Deputy Marshal W. o.
Thomas has hitherto been the representative of
the Marshal in attending to this duty, and in
this regard is only responsible to the Marshal,
and not to the court. Having been made bailiff
of the court upon the highest recommendation
or gentlemen OF responsibility and official po-
sition in this District, because he was well
known to the Marshal as a young man of tried
ndelity and executive ability, it is to hoped andI
am assured that he will be able to make full
and successful refutafion of the inputations
against his character as officer of the United
States, as a bailiff of this court, and as a true
gentleman"
With reference to the charges against the
other officers, the court said he did not deem 1t
necessary at the present time to say anything
but it might be necessary at future time 70
do so.