, 1873-01-29

tons, was drawing up something. The news
soon spread that he WIS engaged in frnming
charges against the Chief, and the spectators
were much astonished. Tho Commissioners
raced the rooms in anxious expectancy until the
clerical work was completed. and then meeting
was promptly organized, Preaident Reno in the
chair. Aftor submitting the charges for indi-
vilual inspection. the Secretary read them aloud,
and the actions Of the Board showed plninly that
the remainder Of the farce had been carefully re-
hearsed. Following are
TEE CHARGES:
10 the Honorabs Board ef Police Of the City ef Chi
cago, Ill.,:
As directed by your honorable Board, Elmer Wash
hereby charged with neglect Of duty incompetency,
Gisobeenca OF the orders OF tho Board Of Pollce yio
snforenF By boasa
In effect annuing the operation OF ordera Of said
Board Of Police; and conduct unbeeomiug police
officer. E. F. WARD.
Secretary Board Of Police.
Commissioner 6heridan-I move that he be
furnished With copy of the charges.
Carried.
Commissioner Kokke-1 move that tho Super
intendont, Elmer Washburn, bo hereby supend-
cd from further duty pending the charges.
This motion was also carried.
Commissioner Sheridan-I move that the Sec
retary Of tho Board be appointed Acting Super
intendent pro tenn.
This motion was agreed to with universal
unanlmlty and promptitude.
Dr.. Ward-We1, gentlemen, have no speech
to make on this occasion. / must say regret
very much that there should be any necessity
for taking such step.
Commissioner 6heridan-Doctor, will you no.
tify the Superintendent of the charges?
Commissioner Klokke-You will ECO to the
order with regard to the platoon duty as soon as
possible, SO that the Captains will all have it to-
morrow morning: You will simply refer to the
orders Of the Board with regard to platoon
duty.
The Board then adjourned.
CONFERENCE WITH THE MAYOR.
Tho Superintendent, who was in another part
ct the City Hall when the Board adjourned re-
turned to his Office q few moments thereafter
and received intimations as to the action taken.
He hastened around to the Mayors Office, and
asked His Honor II he was awa1o Of
what had been done. Mr.. Modiu had already
boon informed Of the order Of suspension, and,
in reply to the question "What is to DO done 2"
suggested that the Corporation Council be- sum-
monod to give his opinion. Mr. Tu1oy came
into the room in minute or two.
Tho Mayor said ho had been notified by =
reporter that there were no specifications in the
letter Of the Board OF Police, the charges being
general -disobcdionce Of orders and incompe-
tency.
Nj. Tu1ey procured copy Of the charter, and
read tho clause under which tho Board had evi-
IDENTIFY acted, it giving thom the power to sus-
pend the Superintendent.
His Honor took down copy Of the - Mayors
bill, " and read the clause comforting upon him
the power to appoint and remove tho 6upe1in-
tendout.
Mr. Tn1ey then said there seemed to be IN in
consistency in the tyo acts, but tho whole intent
and spirit Of the Mayors bill was to deny tho
power assumed by the Board Of Police. It was
certainly inconsistent that two persons should
exercise tho came power as to appointment and
removal Either tho intention OF the Mayors
bill was to repeal the clause in the charter re-
fe1red to, making it null, orthe charter must be
recognized as the law: At any rate, in his opin-
point oven Superintendent pro TEN: Hs
advised tho Mayor to notify the Board that their
action in euspending the Superintendent WAS
null and toid, for tho reason that they had no
right to suspend him. He informed Alr. Wash
burn that he would be acting in accordance with
Superintendent Of Police.
Mayor Modin then turned to his desk and COM
menced writing, communication
to the Board,-but as he neglected to read it, tho
reporter was unable to secure the text.
The conference was practically ut an end now.
alR. TAsHBUnN
Talkod leisurely to Lis Office the Commissioners
having remained in their room waiting for the
resignation" The Superintendent opened the
door Of his office and passed. in, turning the key
in tho lock to prevent intrusion.
Preaident Reno and Secretary Ward approached
the door soon after, the latter holding in his
0d1lu copy Oh Luo VlaGE O1 huEpGQEl0u. IQ8
door being locked, they could nos gain admis-
sion. They then went to the door opening into
tho detectives room, adjoining that Of the
and accessible to tho Latter
through door in the partition. Entering, they
discovered that the Superintendent had loft the
Office By side door loading into his clerks room.
RENO AND WARD
were somewhat surprised at the sudden disap- |
pearance Of Mr.. Weshbu1n, but, thinking he
would return in q moment, they marched into
kt,o~ 49, D-n 49, 1Su~
The Superintendent, upon leaving his Office, |
proceeded directly to Corporation Counsel Tu- |
Eey'a room and indulged i'll long talk with him,
tho CITY Attorney being present and participat- |
Fl became known to tho Commissioners that
Mr. Washburn was in Tuley's office, and Sec1e- !
tary Ward Was instructed to serYe tho order OF |
:he Board upon him. The Secretary knocked at |
he door Of the Corporation Counsel's Office, |
md was instantly admitted, and delivered the |
10 did not surrender the Office.
Tho Secretary returned to the Commissioners
md reported, and at q "private meeting they
wore Ward in as acting Superintendent Of
Police, and instructed him to discharge the
luties Of the Office
"AT ALL HAzARDs"
When asked il force would be used II D1r.
Vashburn insisted upon discharging his duties,
Commissioner Sheridan intimated that it would,
ddinR that the Commissioners we're under
725, 200 bonds, and we're responsible for what
ver occurred
The Police Headquarters at this hour-half-
'ast 6-was full Of ofpeople,-xeporters detectives,
nd Aldermen,-aH anxious to learn what Wash
urn intended doing when he returned.
THE SECRETARY
nd already commenced to act the role Of supez-
atendont. and prepared the subjoined order:
GENERAL ORDER No. 1:-captatn -: Ton arc to
ntorce the order Of tho Board Of Police sds on the
leut and effect Of such order On the 29t AY of Jauu-