Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-01-08

CONDUCT OF THE POLICE AND OTHER w ~
GALS TO BE INvEsTIGATED.-On the nlghts VI
the 24th and 18th of December, those meino' -
of the City Council who had voted against T. ae
suspension during Christmas of the ordlhan 'e
prohibiting the firing of popcracKers III tn'e
streets, were serenaded with the music OF uh
horns and the explosion of popcrackers. ar
the ordinance was not suspended, 1t was Inc
duty of all to observe it, however much 'ieS
might regret that it denied the boys the PRIV
ilege of celebrating Christmas in that way
The boys should be taught that 1t is the ou's vi
all to yield obedience to law. ana pay oue
spect to the officers of thelaw whist 'lie ooA
duct of those who serenaded the melaoels VI
| the Council as mentioned was wrong ye' " Z
| suppose that they were actuateo more ny
| desire to have some sport, as they consloereo
| IL. than purpose to show contempt for the Or
dinance, and disrespect to the councllmen'
| 1t will be seen from the following preamble
and resolution in rather strong language Oh
| fered by councilman y. B. Evans ana aoopteo
| by the Council on last Tuesday night tnat an
investigation of the conduct of the Police and
| Others is to be made:
| "Whereas on the nights of the 24th and 18th
| of December the Police force of the city per-
mitted laws of the State and ordinances of the
city to he wanton!y violated. gross and pre-
| meditated intimidation and insult offered TO
| members of the Council at their private resi-
! dences, because or their official acts; with no
| efforts ON the part OF tho Police to check the
! same; no arrests made; no one reported TO the
| proper Observation-Disclosures want of DISPOSE
ton to meet the high and responsible duties
entrusted to them as policemen OF the city,
therefore be it
| Resolred, That Messrs. Cochran, Witt and
| Weller, be and are hereby appointed special
committee to investigate the conduct OF the po-
lice, with power to send for persons ana papers,
and, after thorough and rigid examination
to report to the City Council whether their du-
| ty-sworn duty-has been neglected.; laws, or
dinances and order violated what means, If
any, were taken to discover and bring to pun
ishment the organized violators of the law
And further, to make a strict inquiry into the
general efficiency of the Police force. And
further, whether any official or employee of the
| city was engaged in giving aid to the lawless.
| ness on the 24th and 18th, with suggestions fol
!, the remedial action of the Council"
The committee appointed to investigate this
matter held their first meeting Oh last Friday
night, and examlnedthe Mayor in regard to the
t charge, as well as the general efficiency Of thu
e Police force, which was quite favorable
S Several witnesses were summoned for las
night, when the labors of the committee wer
: to have been resumed. but the. police, through
d their chief asked that they might be represen
It ted by counsel-which request was compiled
: with. AS Mr. White, who is engaged by tn
d police to represent them, was out of the city
2 the examination was postponed till tonight
t, and Major Elder is to be invited to assist thu
l. committee.