Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-12-07
THE POLICE COMMISSIONERS.
Captain Jerry Woods Denies Some SOFT
Impeachments and Demands an Investi-
oaffon

Captain Jerry Woods Denies Some Soft
Impeachments and Demands an Invesa'
cation.
The Board of Police Commissioners met IN
the Police Courtroom yesterday afternoon,
all the members being present. After the
reading of the minutes of the previous meet
ing, the Mayor, addressing the Captain Of
the police force, asked the usual question
"Have you any complaints to make ?"
The Captain arose from his seat. stepped
forward to the desk, saying that, so far as he
was able to ascertain, the police force Ole
and all were doing their duty, and that the
orders of the Board were being strictly car
ried out. He said he wished to say g lew
words in his own behalf. Statements had
| been made in Court, upon the streets and to
the Mayor, rejecting upon his official con-
duct. He did not know the origin OF the
reports. They were false, and as long as
they had been reported in the daily press, he
asked that the Board set time at which he
could be heard, present his side of the case
and vindicste himself lie said he referred
to the charges made by G. T. Jones and the
| City Attorney. He wanted an opportunity
| to prove their falsity, declaring he could do
so by number Of witnesses OF undouoted
| integrity. He declared that there was moth
ing in the assertions made by those two gen.
| tlemen.
The Mayor thought it was not a proper
time for the Captain to make such request.
| 1t was true many rumors had been atioat,
| growing out of the Chinese cases, but as no
| charges had been filed with the Board, they
could not take any ouch step as the one
asked for. When charges are brought form
| ally before the Commissioners then they
would be Investigated, and he, as one of the
| Commission would endeavor to ascertain all
| the facts in the case, but did not think they
could proceed with trial until that time.
All they wanted the Captain to do was to see
that the orders of the Commission were
obeyed, and that all the officers of the force
are faithful in the discharge of their duties.
| He said if the Captain had taken sides in a
| criminal prosecution, as alleged by rumor,
| then he certainly was guilty of conduct I'M
worthy an official in his position.
The Captain then read an extract from the
RECORD UNION relative to a conversation be.
tween the Mayor and the City Attorney.
The Mayor interrupted him, stating that
what he read was conversation outside of
the Board of Commissioners, and that they
could not take any official cognizance of the
statement referred TO,
The City Attorney said he had no charge
to prefer against the Captain, nor did he in
tend to prefer any.
Chief Karcher said he thought the Cap
tain should be allowed al opportunity TO vim
dictate himself, and if he insisted, a day
should be set apart for that purpose. If the
accusations he spoke of could be proven to
be untrue and unfounded, then he would be
the first to move for his exoneration. The
President of the Board referred to this mat.
ter at the last meeting, and he thought, mas.
much as It had been talked of in the Board,
discussed upon the street and printed in the
newspapers, the Captain should have right
to be heard. Parties making these accusa-
lions detrimental to the Captain should come
forward and substantiate what they say.
This Board is the place, and the only place,
to settle this matter and put quietus to this
constant and everlasting outside rumor.
Captain Woods asked if it would be proper
for him to make a statement at this time.
The Mayor thought not.
The Captain, resuming, said he wished to
show the public that the charges against him,
which he had referred to, were untrue. He
wished to bring forward Henry Edgerton,
Charles n. Post, r. NJ. Clarken and Robert
Devlin, the attorneys in the case wherein he
was accused of being ottcious, and they would
TESTIFY InaG ne mad not IN any manner De-
friended them or their clients.
Chief Ksrcher again asked that the Cap
tain be given week in which to collect
proofs for the purpose of proving the falsity
of the charges over which he seemed to be ag-
g1ieved.
The Mayor insisted that there was nothing
tefore the Board. He was satisfied with the
way things were going. All he desired was
to make the Police DepaI tment as efficient
az possible. He WAS confident that the Com
mission was doing well both for the citizens
and their own credit.
Judge Henry said he invited any citizen to
come forward if they had any complaints
against the force and prefer charges. At the
next meeting let Mr. Woods. or any other Of
ficer, come forward if they feel aggrieved, and
make such statements in their defense as they
desire.
Captain Woods said he had nothing further
to say, and upon motion of Chief Karcher
the Board adjourned