Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1880-03-02
SWEENEY'S CASE.
ORGANIZATION OF, THE iNvesTlGAT.
'SSs ING COMMITTEE.
A. 0. Eoff Is Chairman and Craeraft Ne
signs-AnOthsr Long halt-mar
kst Master Edwards Will
Serve the Subpenas.
WILLING TO WOUND, AND VET
+ AFRAID TO STRIKE"

The special committee appointed by
Council to investigate the charges pre-
ierred by William II. Davis against the
city sergeant, met in the chamber
OF the Second Branch last
night. At 1880 o'clock, however,
the time set for the meeting, 1t looked
decidedly as though they had decided
10 crswhsh out Of 1t, as two reporters
alone helped the complainant and nus
attorney. w. 2. Hubbard, Esq, to rep
resent an investigation. Presently q
member dropped into the City Clerk -
Office. then another and another unti
Eve had assembled. But even then II
seemed doubtful whether they could DO
induced TO assemble, ashley chung about
the stove and talked OF matters entirely
foreign to the purpose for which they
were appointed. AT length they moved
into the chamber and took their places
about the table, there being present
Messrs. Eotf, Arkle, Waterhouse, Nc
Adams and Cracraft. MIR. Eof was
CHOSEN CHAIRMAN,
and the committee was organized and
ready for business Mr.. Cracrait broke
silence by resigning. lie said he was
friendly to. and counsel OF, the accused,
aud he felt that he could not and should
not be Juror in the case.
Mr.. Waterhouse moved the resigna-
ton be accepted, but the question arose
as 10 whether the committee had power
10 accept it. 1t was finally decided that
it had not, and the question was settled
by agreeing to refer the matter TO Coun-
ell and ask confirmation OF the accept
ance of the resignation. Mr.Cracrait then
withdrew, and J. III. Good, COUNSEL Tor
the defence, took the chair.
The committee then went into execu-
tive session, apparently, the members
bending heads together and whispering
about something. Our reporter applied
his microphone, and learned they were
discussing plan OF askingthe
MAYOR TO APPOINT
some one to I'LL the vacancy created by
Mr.. Cracrait's resignation. Presently
this was mentioned aloud, and was
caught 10y the watchful ears OF Davis,
who whispered to his counsel. Hub
bard Immediately addressed the COM
mittee, questioning the Mayors right to
I'LL such vacancy. This gave rise to
discussion, in the course OF which
it was developed that the rules govern
ing Council in the appointment OF con-
mittees contain several inconsistencies
and contradictions. The question OF
having the Mayor fill the vacancy was
wisely dropped, and the committee will
ask Council to da IL.
This being settled, the quartette again
went into executive session" until MI.
Hubbard asked il they were ready to
take
srEPs TOWARD HEARING TESTIMONY.
Mr.. Waterhouse thought they were
not, Us full committee VAS not pres
ent. wf," he argued, "Mr. Cracraft was
simply absent, | would say 20 on, but as
he is not q member OF the committee, |
am in favor OF adjourning until We can
get a full meeting"
Mr.. Arklo was Of tho same opinion.
lie felt like starting out with every com
mitteeman present.
MIR. McAdams differed. He said he
Was ready to proceed and was satisfied
that four was u quorum ol q committee
OF six, and their actions would be- per-
iectly legal.
MT. Hubbard took the floor and ar.
gued against further delay. He showed
how Council, when there was vacancy,
did not Suspend, but went on with its
business. Or how the Supreme Court,
with four Judges on its bench, transact
ed business with only three present.
Mr. (;ool said the
DEFENSE WOULD FREEZER
waiting for full committee. He thought
il was due his client TO have verdict OF
the entire membership, and not
having hearing with a
hall Jury. Here Mr.. Jefferson came in,
and his views were asked. He was seat
cd on the fence; he thought the work
might 20 on legally, but perhaps had
best be postponed. Mr.. Warehouse
insisted on waiting and moved TO adj
journ, but could get no second. MIR.
McAdams said no would test the sense
OF the committee by moving to proceed
with the hearing oil testimony. But he,
also, could get no second.
Mr.. Hubbard thought the committee
should ut least fix upon some method
OF procedure, such as summoning wit
nesses, &c, in which MIR. Good concur
red. This led TO more useless dis
cussion, after which it was decided
that the Clerk Of tho Municipal Court
should issue the subpTnas and place
them in the hands Of
MARKET MASTER EDWARDS
for service. Mr.. Hubbard further said
that in case there was no meeting OF the
committee until after the regular meet
ing Of Council. he would be absent from
the city until after the 10Th instant
and asked that il be understood that
the committee would not assemble
until about that time. 1t was final
" decided that meeting would not be
called until both lawyers agreed.
Mr.. Good wanted stenographic re-
port taken, aud II was agreed to ask
Council for authority to employ a short
hand writer as well as TO send for per
sons and papers.
The committee then adjourned, sub
icct 10 the call OF the chairman. On the
way out the reporter said to the con-
plainant, Mr.. Davis, "What do you
think OF the committeeman" The re-
ply was: "Ohl they are all right, they'll
stick like little men"
-s-