The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-05-11

| charges against Gill ana Rowe could be true
for it was an imperative regulation that all
cases of loafing in the signal house should be
reported to him, which had not been done in
this case.
Witness replied he did not know it was his
duty to report them.
In answer to the questions by Col Mattocks
he said he had requested the officers to arrest
boys for throwing pepper on his stove but
as they refused he made complaint at the
station. lie had never made any threats to
| have the men removed.
Alderman Deering asked witness if there
was not i'll feeling between him and Gill, on
account OF the latters seeing him sitting on
the limb of a tree face to the tree and saving
it off, and when he fell laughing at him.
Witness said God Almighty was the only be-
ing who knew anything about that.
George R. Tuttle, a carpenter, testified to
having seen Rowe and Gill number of times
asleep, as he supposed, on the steps of Hunter
shop. He stopped and looked at them for five
minutes, and they paid no attention to him.
| Mr.. Elder then took the witness in hand for
cross-examination, but found Tuttle too sharp
for him on most points. He endeavored 10
| show that Tuttle was in the habit of following
gentlemen and ladies" who were walking
near the Oaks, but witness denied it. Mr.. Ell
| der then asked if he didn't look into carriage
once on the Western Promenade, when man
struck him with whip and cut a cash in his
| cheek, the scar of which he now bore. ono,
sir" said futile, II got that scar with an axe
| when l was four years DID," The statement
was brought out that Tuttle had seen Gill loaf
ing in Deane's store on Portland street for for
| ty five minutes, and that Gill told him after
wards that sthe Marshal knew all about il.
"Aint that so, Mr.. Gill; said futile. mo,
sir" quickly replied Mr.. Gill.
| After all the others had got through asking
questions, Alderman Deering thought he
would take a hand and asked witness where
he was born; and he said Saco if he had ever
been arrested; if he had ever had any woman
difficulty. TO these questions witness ans
wered in the negative. When he said no to
the last question Mr.. Deering said 'Thats all
| l want to know"
Deputy Marshal Crowell was called and re-
| quested by the Mayor to state what he thought
of their efficiency as policemen.
Gen. Mattocks objected to this OH the ground
that the opinions of the witness were not
competent evidence He insisted that the
| witness should be confined to the statements
| OF acts or omissions to act tending to show in
| efficiency.
The City Solicitor gave it as his opinion that
the Marshal should state what he knew in re-
| gard to what had been done, and not simply
his opinions
Mr.. Crowell stated that the facts on which
| he based his opinion were not within his per.
| sonal knowledge.
| The Mayor asked if in assigning policemen
| to the different beats the question CT their re-
lative efficiency was not considered.
| Gen. Mattocks objected to this.
-ANCtidi OudpLldu ottiu IL ul6ll W6F0
innocent he saw no reason why the evidence
| should be kept back. 1t looked as il all
things were not as they should be. There
| were reports of errors and lack of discipline On
the force and it seemed as il there should be a
| fair and open hearing lie should be disposed
to acquit the men on trial from what he had
| heard and knew of them, and advised them
not to hold back anything.
Alderman Deering thought the men had
been punished and if they were to be tried in
at man In tod ha MI nln in
| vestigated. He believed in disciplning the
| whole force and not putting it all on these
| two.
| Gen. Mattocks thought the gentleman from
| seven was in false position. 1t was not
technical case He was willing that the
Deputy Marshals should testify to any fact in
their knowledge so far as was embraced in
the charges, but not their opinion.
Alderman Chapman thought that was salts
| factory and moved that the questions be asked
| as usual in order to obtain the facts
| The Mayor stated that one of the main
| points was to ascertain the efficiency of these
men,. 1t was not improper for the Deputy
Marshal to state what his opinion was in re-
| gard to the men.
Alderman Little hoped things were settled
/ and that there would be a fair and impartial
| hearing. If the witnesses would give the facts
they would judge of their efficiency.
| Alderman Deering thought they should not
| be questioned in regard to what they had
| already been punished for.
| The motion to allow the City Solicitor to
| question the witnesses was put and carried.
| Alderman Winslow thought that things
were loose on the police force and needed
! police review and give the question general
overhauling The rules were plain. He
thought policeman who went into rum
shop except on official duty as culpable as one
who slept in barn.
Marshal Bridges was called.
City Solicitor Hale asked if the officers on
trial were given light or heavy work.
| Gen. Mattocks objected
The Mayor asked if in his opinion they were
able to do the duty of any policeman.
| This was also objected to.
The Mayor again asked the Marshal to state
whether he could put the men where efficient
men were put.
Gen. Mattocks again objected as he wanted
| facts. not opinions.
Aldermen Little asked if he had ever found
the men incompetent.
The Marshal answered that they had obeyed
orders to his satisfaction. He had no recolec-
ton of amy time when they had failed. He
had heard no complaints since the men were
together ON the beat up to the time mentioned
in the evidence. Gill had been put on rough
beats and on these had not given perfect sat-
is faction
The Mayor asked if he could not find man
on the force who could do the work of BOTH
The answer was that the beat had been run
with one, and with one exception, satisfact-
orily.
Alderman Deering asked if it was not the
| longest beat in the city.
| Answer-Yes, but rather quiet one.
Alderman Little-In making up your force
would you send one or two to this beat9
AnSwer-One,
Alderman Deering-Was there formerly
one or two on the beat?
AnSwer-One.
Alderman Deering-Has not the city grown
in that part?
Answer-Yes. The beat really needs two
but in proportion to the other beats 1 should
only send one. There is not beat in the
city but what needs two but there is rot a
sufficient number to furnish them.
Alderman Winslow-Did not Gill run the
beat some months alone?
Answer-Yes, and some complaints were
made,
Alderman Deering-Do you not have the
same complaints from all over the city?
Answer Yes, somewhat.
Alderman Little-Did you ever hear any
thing against the moral character of these
men?
Answer-Never, their character is A 1.
Alderman Winslow-Did not Gill arrest
highwayman some years ago, OH your order?
Answer-Yes and did it well.
Gen. Mattocks-Iiave either of these officers
ever lost prisoner, billy or badge, or ever
shown want of judgement?
Answer-Not to my knowledge.
Gen. Mattocks-And their characters are
good?
Answer-Yes.
Alderman Chapman-Is the police force in
good condition at the present time?
Answer-It was never better.
Alderman Chapman-Have any complaints
been made about officers visiting rum shops
and houses of ill-fame?
Answer-Yes, but they cannot be traced to
facts
Alderman Chapman-Did you take means
to ascertain the truth of the charges against
them?
Objected to-
The Mayor-InlmakingGup beats, if you should
other BEATS would they be suitable men?
Answer-No, sir. l do not consider them
suitable men ft some beats in the city.