National Republican., 1877-02-02
THE SUSPENDED POLICE OFFICERS RE-
STORED TO DUTY.

A Hasty and ni-Considered Action-An Ac-
quittal Of tho Disgraced Detectives with
out Trial-what Led to This Action-A
Delegations OF Citizens Wait Upon the
Board.
The new Police Board surprised the COM
munity yesterday by restoring to active duty
the Chief Of Police and the three detectives
who were recently suspended, pending charges
preferred against them by the president OF the
board. For two or three days II has been
stated about police headquarters, and about
town by the friends and hackers OF the ac-
cused officials, that they would be restored
to duty, but such statements have been dis
credited. 1t was believed that the members
Of the board would not yield to the influences
brought to bear upon them, as they would
object to stultifying themselves, even Il they
had no other reason for sustaining their action
In suspending the officers.
Richards and his friends evidently expected
the action taken yesterday, for they assembled
at police headquarters some time before the
board met, and were In better spirits than
they have been before for several weeks.
The first business that the board transacted
was the passage Of resolution reinstatlng
Richards In the office of Chief of Police.
The news was quickly communicated to the
crowd, Of which Richards was the centre, in
ceived the congratulations OF his friends.
Amer that he went upstairs, and during the
rest of the session occupied position at the
right of Mr.. Gstchel, president of the board.
CITIZENS BEFORE THE BOARD.
The resolution had hardly been recorded in
the minutes before . delegation of about ff.
teen citizens, headed by Little Billy Cook, ar
rived at police headquarters and were ushered
into the board room, where they urged the
90 l,,t, 30 al 80 L.
pended officers, on the ground that they
needed protection for their property. They
were informed Of the reinstatement of Rich
ards, and that the board would act In q way
that would be entirely satisfactory to them In
relation TO the other officers. The delegation
retired, well assured that their request would
be granted.
During the short recess that followed the
departure of the delegation Mr.. Gatchel re-
marked that he was glad they had restored
the Major before they came.
Nothing Of Importance transpired during
the reception Of . letter from Little Billy
Cook, containing . bill for services rendered
as attorney for the board from July 3, 1875,
amounting to $500. This sum includes his
fees for defending Richards aud the gamblers
during the investigation before the old board.
mediately to the trial Of Richards. He seemed
to look upon II merely as . matter of form,
that could be easily disposed of, and the sooner
the better.
The board went into executive session, os-
tensbly for the purpose Of considering appli-
cations for liquor licenses.
After the reporters had left and the doors
were closed Nj. Gatchel again brought up the
subject Of the suspended officials, and reso-
luton was adopted restoring TO active duty
THE THREE SUSPENDED DETECTIVES.
Miller, McDevilt and McElfresh. VERY little
else was talked about around police headquar-
ters yesterday afternoon except the action of
the board. The suspended detectives and q
number OF their friends stayed about the build
Ing during the session. Before the executive ses-
sion one ofthe wsrmest supporters Of Richards
and the detectives, when told that Gatchel
had said that there were other men who could
be put into the places of the detectives, en-
phatically declared, "If he said that he goes
of the board" He further announced that
the detectives would be reinstated In q very
short time. He evidently had knowledge Of
the intentions OF the board, for within an hour
after he spoke the detectives were restored to
good standing.
Mr.. 6atchel offered no explanation for his
course except that he had been examining the
charges against the officers and had come to
the conclusion Of relieving them from sus-
picion.
INCONSISTENT ACTION.
The action Of the board 10 most strange and
inconsistent. II was believed when the Chief
OF Police and the detectives were suspended
that the board acted in good faith. 1t was
proper that these officers should be suspended
while such grave charges were pending against
them.
The same reason exists now for keeping
them In suspension until they have been win.
dicated. Their restoration to their original
standing one day before beginning the trial of
the charges cannot be construed otherwise
than meaning that the trial will be a sham,
and that the Police Commissioners have de-
termined beforehand to acquit these officials,
who, by their own confession, stand guilty Of
criminal neglect Of duty.
This board was appointed by the President
for the purpose Of correcting the evils exist
Ing In the police department. Their first act
In that direction, the suspension of the Off.
cials charged with neglect OF duty, was hon
estly commended, and 1t was believed that the
work Of recognizing the police force had been
placed In the hands of determined men. But
The board has proven
RECREAST TO THE TRUST
imposed upon them, and II is useless to look
| in that direction for an honest prosecution of
the charges against the police officials. They
have succumbed TO the various influences
brought to bear upon them by the detectives
| and their gambling friends,
The detectives have learned that they have
no more to fear from this board than they had
| from the old nna thav ara aUain "a