, 1876-11-05
HICKEY.
Arguments Of the Counsel fo,
Prosecution and Defense.
It Is Believed the Committee WIN
Recommend that Hickey On.

It Is Believed the Committee WI
Recommend that Hickey Go.
After seven days and nights of arduous n
, the Police Committee finished their public IN
vestigation Of the charges against Supt. Hic]y4
yesterday afternoon, and all that remains n
them now to do is to agree upon the report the
shall present to the Council. Those who hav
closely watched the inquiry are convinced thu
four Of the members will unite in a report +
the effect that Mr.. Hickey's removal is neede,
for the good Of the Department, and that q N,
nority report will be signed By AID Cullerto,
expressing confidence in the ability and inteerf
tt Of the Chief, and declaring that the Polio,
Department will not be benefited or improve;
by his deposition. The matter will then res1
With the Council aud Mayor Heath. As regard.
the former, it is stated on plausible authorit,
that number OF the new members favor .
change, and will accordingly vote for the AEON
tion OF the majority report; while, as to the
position OF the latter, no one has yet found out
definitely how bis Honor stands, but it is safe
jority Of the local Government.
The proceedings yesterday were comparative.
II dull and uninteresting. All the evidence vas
il Friday night, and the Committee only con-
| RtuE4 AZl1lIl W 41SLcA ~ LAC I1Eu4EutS Dl
sci on both sides. Both speeches were able
digests Of the evidence, but presented little that
! needed reproduction.
| On the call to order, Mr.. Bonfield offered to
! waive the right Of making speech, reserying
| the right to address the Council in q BODY on
the report which the Committee would make.
The Chairman said, under the rules, counsel
| for the defense could not be allowed to address
the Council if one Alderman objected.
Mr.. Bontield knew OF no legislative body that
had refused that right.
The Chairman remarked that 1t would REQUIRE
two-thirds vote to suspend the rules, without
which no one could come and address the Coun-
ell.
Mr.. Bonfe1d said II the Committee would re-
port In favor OF their right to address the toun-
I'll, they would stand the risk OF not securing
tWo-thirds vote.
The Chairman said there was no doubt, il the
COMMITTEES SO reported, that the privilege would
be granted.
heard all the evidence pro and con, that they
should listen to the arguments and SO complete
the case.
Aid. Kirk-That is my idea also.
1ir. Bouf1e1d said, Notwithstanding the view
the Committee had taken, he would reserve the
right to petition the Council to be heard on the
report
The Chairman Certainly; We have nothing
to do with that
Mr. BoNF1ELp,
before proceeding with bis argument, made q
personal explanation in regard to the heated alter
cation between himself and Mr.. Trude, reported
in fridays TRIBUNE. It will be remembered
that Alr. Trude remarked that II & certain
course was adhered to, he would have to bring
in evidence to the effect that MIR. Bontield Or
some Of his family had been indicted, aud that
Mr. Bonheld retorted that he would then un-
dertake to prove that Mr. Trude had been in
dicted and also in jail This remark, counsel
said, was simply based on rumor in the street,
Nn1 ha had IN hn1iaua f1nt
rect. blr. Bonfeld went on to say that the In
vestigation had been constant surprise to him
and every legal gentleman who had followed
the evidence. In making this statement he did
had departed from all precedent, and allowed
hearsay testimony to be taken which would not
stand in any court Of law. One effect Of this
would be to make great many citizens who
had believed in the honesty and efficiency Of
his client believe that the charges were true,
because, owing to abbreviation, rumors had ap-
peared in the newspapers as facts. Counsel
then made an exhaustive review OF the
evidence taken in support Of the charges,
pointing out the weak points, and charging that
the whole prosecution was malicious attempt
to break down the reputation Of Supt. Hickey.
With regard to the testimony OF AID. White, he
said that the public knew that II any such ring
existed for the division OF the proceeds Of stolen
property that witness would be one Of the chief
ringsters. In adverting to the Webster feature
Of the case, he said there was nothing to prove
that the man was thief or very bud character;
ne was simply natural detective with human
affection for money. The fact that the articles
Of agreement had not been recorded amounted
to nothing; it was the custom among old set
Tiers not to record such instruments, and no
suspicion ought to attach to the circumstance
That an ignorant negro had neglected q formality
If this kind There was nothing for the fore
going insinuation to rest upon. Witnesses in
:ebuttal had sworn to the Signatures, and there
vas nothing in the circumstances surrounding
he matter that justified the belief that th6
was anything but genuine and law
rticles were Just as good as II they Ind been
'ecorded.
oiloWed for the prosecution. he began BY
onspirators working to depose Hickey and ruin
lis reputation. It mattered not who made the
harges; it Was the duty OF the Committee to
scertain whether such charges were true or
alse. He contended that the charges maae in
estimony introduced on the other side had not
hakcn them In the least. With reference to
febster It had been stated by the witnesses
nth absolute unanimity that his house was
ence for thieves, and that it was in every sense
oase s they pn had LIS not sue inflicted ee toe on
be Committee the evidence OF a single gambler
r thief. Those characters had appeared for the
at'the tall gaunt form that once walked the
treets with police authority should return and
ssume the sceptre OF power. Webster was
agin, very Jonathan Wild, a bird Of evil
men, a vulture feeding and fattcniDg On the
ody Of official corruption, and under the
hadow OF his wing crime was rampant, and
1leVes neid sway And yet this man was in
1e confidence Of and held dominion in the
lice OF the Chief OF Police! The articles Of
sreement .a;e'1 we're frauds and IN insult to the