The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-08-20
LOCAL MATTERS.

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POLICE CAPTAIS.-The following paper
missioners: t
TO the Honorable Police Board of City of
,Richmond .'e5'E
Your petitioner, Thomas L. Whiting.
would respectfully represent to the Board
that he is aggrieved by the treatment which
he. has received at the hands of Captain
Charles a., Epps, who is one OF the police
captains OF the city Of Richmond, in this :
That on the 14th day OF August, 1878,
while walking quietly along the streets, he
was accosted by Captain Epps in reference
to difficulty which your petitioner had
that day with his (Epps's( brother. That
without any cause whatsoever, or without
the slightest proYocation. he was arrested
and carried to the station-house, and while
there be was insulted and maItreated in q
most shameful and outrageous manner.
That after he had been thus insulted by the
officer in whose charge he was as u prisoner,
Captain Epps offered to pull off his coat and
give him fight If he desired it. That after
this, when your petitioner undertook to
make reply to something which had been
said. he was Immediately seized and locked
in ceHfor disreSpect to this officer, who had
first abused and Installed him, and wko,
while on duty as policeman, offered to en-
gage in d fSt:fght aOith q prisoner whom he
had arrested for aohat he deemed violation
Of the law. That he was kept locked up
in filthy cell for three hours, during
which time he was not allowed to have a
private conversation with any friend, and
allowed to talk to no one, except in the pre-
sence OF an officer.
Now, your petitioner is informed that
there is no way by which this policeman
can be punished for this except at the
hands OF the Police Board. He therefore
prays that this matter may be fully and
completely investigated, and that should lie
be able to sustain the above charges, that
the said Captain Epps be fully punished for
this outrage and iRdignity TO aquiet and
peaceable citizen. Respectfully,
r. l.. WHITING.
"A meeting Of the Board was called for
Yesterday evening, and at the appointed
hour Mayor Darlington and Major Myers
were present. Three other members VINO
are in the city were absent, Whereat there
was great complaint on the part OF fifty-odd
witnesses, who had lett their business pur-
suits and come to the City Hall in response
to summonses to give testimony. No quo
rum being present the case was postponed
until Monday next.
Captain Epps denies the charges against
him. He states that in the first place be
approached Mr.. Whiting as friend, and
talked to HIM quietly, but that MIR. Whiting
used violent and abusive language to him,
and he was forced to arrest him. After
reaching the station-house he gave Mr..
Whiting a seat in the Office, but Mr..
Whiting still continued his abusive lam
guage, until he was compelled to order
him to be locked up. Four Jus
tees .(Messrs. Crew, Crutcbfeld, Sa,ln-
ders; and IsbelD came to the station
house, and each one was willing to admit
Mr. Whiting to bail, but Mr.. Whiting
would not avail himself of their services
until after some three hours, when he had
a consultation with Mr.. Witt, bis counsel,
and consented to be bailed.
Captain Epps represents that Mr.. Witt
had a private conference with MI. Whiting,
and that the statement that Mr.. Whiting
was deprived OF such right is incorrect,
and, further, that at no time did he. nor
does he now, entertain any hostile feeling
towards him.
The quarrel between Mr.. Whiting and
Mr.. W. j. Epps occurred at the primary
election poll on Second street. 1t grew out
OF nolitics. 1t was an hour or two after
wards, and near the corner OF Second and
Marshall streets. that Captain Epps and Mr.
Whiting met. No other person was present.
We knew OF these: troubles Immediately
after they occurred, but hoping that the
gentlemen would find it to their interest to
have explanations and renewal Of friendly
relations, the matterwas not before referred
TO. ..s.s ..t.s
The gentlemen now insist upon full in
vestisation, and they desire that the Police
Board shall waive their secret-session rule
and admit to their meetings during the eN-
animation of witnesses reporters and the
public generally.