Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1884-05-06
That Little word ..Mad., :.

The Police ConmTstfoners Hold q Third
Meeting co Ascertain What Captain
Hyde Heard Over the TeIephone-TheY
Decide That He Didn't Hear the Word
ssMad.,'
The third meeting of the Police Commits
sioners to consider the complaint made by
L. B. Hinman against an officer of the police
department, that he did not come to his
house on Sunday. April 6, and kill mad dog
which was raging about, was held last even
ing Before the subject was opened letter
was read from Superintendent Starkweather
Of the State hospital requesting tbs use of
| the police ambulance to meet cases of aeci>
| dent or sudden sickness at the depot, pro
| vided that at such times the police ambu :
lance was not in use. The request was
granted.
Commissioner Sheldon said that it had been
suggested that it would be a good idea to
march the tramp dodgers from the lookup
| to she Home of the Associated Charities, and
make the dodgers saw wood or do some work
Some of the commissioners thought the
board had no power to thus act. A commit
tee consisting of Messrs. Sheldon and Gal
| lagher was appointed to look up the matter
and report at a future meeting.
The town was given the use of the police
ambulance while the town ambulance is un-
dergoing repairs.
The Hinman-Hyde controversy was then
taken up. Mr.. B. G. Lake, jr., a reporter
ON the Morning News, was called to testify.
Mr.. Bollman questioned:
''Mr. Lake, did you at any time hear Cap
tain Hyde speak about call he had to kill a
dog?''
IL did. / don't know the day, but
was in the police Office, and he made the re-
mark that it was rather peculiar to hear po-
icemen summoned for such cases. He made
this remark, that a man had called upon him
by telephone TO kill a mad dog. I replied
that he ought to have brought down the
gun. I am as sure he used the word mad
as am that am here"
Officer Nettleton testified that he was in
the Office when the call came from Mr.. Hin
man, and heard Captain Hyde's replies. He
stated what he heard the captain say. Mr..
Hinmsn remarked that his statement differed
| with Captain Hyde's own testimony regard
ing his replies.
The evidence was then declared closed
well, gentlemen, what are you going to
do?" said Coroner Bollman.
81 have already moved that we consider
| Es
Hart.
The commissioners decided to discuss the
matter in open session.
| Mr.. Hart: ST don't think the complaint OF
Mr.. Hinman has been established in fact. ]
consider that Mr.. Human stated the case
fairly, and believe that Captain Hyde has
told it just as it came to him. Captain Hyde
did not hear the word mad At least we
have no evidence to show that he did,
| Mr.. Catlin remarked that there was either
prevarication on the part of Captain Hyde or
| a very sad mistake.
Mr.. Sheldon: "Mr. Human is an excitable
man. and when he is excited his language is
indistinct. He probably talked indistinctly
when he called Captain Hyde. Mr.. Lake was
SO Indefinite on other points can't see how
he is SO sure on the use of the word mad.
The question of eeraeity has nothing to do
with the matter"
MIR. Catlin-s'I don't think that we ought
to cover up any man or whitewash any man.
I don't care whether he is the chief, captain
or patrolman. believe in censuring him if
he deserves it, and think Captain Hyde
does for his curt replies"
i Mr.. Sheldon-'sWe shall not act rightly if
we should throw aside Captain Hydeas state
ment. It is probable that all the witnesses
have told the truth"
| Mr.. Hart offered the following vote: TN
view of the uncertainty of receiving CONVEX
sation over the telephone wires, voted that
we exonerate Captain Hyde in this matter. "
Commissioners Gallagher withdrew, saying
the room was too hot
The following vote was offered by Mr..
Bollman and adopted, Mr.. Catlin only vot-
ing against it:
Voted, That, while this board is fully sat
| isfed of the truth of the statement made be-
fore it by Mr.. L. B. Hinman concerning a
mad dog invading his premises on the fore
noon of April sth, it believes that the fact
that he did not receive the police protection
to which he was entitled was due not to the
wilful neglect of duty on the part of Captain
Hyde or of any other officer OF this depart
nent, but to the imperfection of the tele-
phone through which he called for assist