The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-04-17
THE POLICE BOARD.
Investigation OF the Charges Against
FARRELL, ROnaeker and C0nklin.
Ronacker's Case Taken Under Advise
ment, FARRELL and Conkling Rein
stated-The Lang Resolution
Fails to Pass.

session yesterday afternoon to dispose OF the
cases OF Patrolmen Farrell, Ronacker and
Conklin, against whom charges of lettering
hsd.been preferred by ComnissionerlCottrell
The three coppers were present with their
attorneys, Elam and Sheppard, while not
few witnesses lolled about on the benchesin
the roll-csll room. When the board wa1 called
to order Mr.. Sheppard arose and moved to
quash the charges against the officers saying
that Mr.. Cottren had no right, according to
the rules of the board. to prefer the same on
information. Further, he had not M sde the
charges as a member of the board and did
not set forth when the officers committed
the mIsdemeanor. The attorney held that
the Commissioner should have spscifed the
time and place, showing whether or not the
officers were on or off duty. In the common
acceptation of the term he said that lettering
was the duty Of an officer.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Sheppard's speech
the board adjourned to an adjoining room
and sent for CITY Attorney Denny, who pro-
mulgated the rules governing the Metro
politan police force. A hurried consultation
was held, and the Commissioners finally
agreed to override Sheppsrd's motion to
quash the charges, and the trial of Officers
Ronacker and Conklin commenced.
Christian Cook, q merchant policemen
who runs en- Buchanan street, testified that
on Sunday morning some three weeks ago,
he entered the saloon OF Leo Rieger, No.
Buchanan street. 1t was about 80 'ock,
and two men had just finished scrubbing
out. The proprietor was standing with his
back to the counter talking TO a young man
named Cummings, while Patrolmen Ro.
hacker and Conklin were seated near the
stove. Cook was feeling sick, and asked
Rieger for some bitters; but the saloon
keeper said, mot Drop" Cook stood aud
a m
newed his request. The saloon-keeper
finally said: You know where the bitters
are" Whereupon Cook walked behind the
bar and took down the bottle containing the
bitters he desired, and poured a small guam
tity into ''pony" whisky glass. He emptied
When he returned he found that the officers
for giving away liquor on san.
day. Cook also testified that bsfore
going to the saloon he had seen two very
SUSPICIOUS looking young men, with well
filed sacks on their shoulders, huFrying
along Buchanan street. Feeling convinced
that they were not straight" he blew his
whistle several times. but the metropolitan
officers failed to respond, and thu young
men disappeared. When he found the
policemen he informed them of the above
Circumstance, but they seemed to take no
interest whatever in the matter.
Leo Rieger next took the stand, bat his
testimony did not differ from that of Cook
in the main points. The police, he said, re-
NAMED in his place about an hour, and
when Mr.. Ronscker informed him that he
was under arrest he thought he was merely
joking.
Charlie Cummings testified that the officers
were In the saloon for fully an hour, and
that one of them (Conklin) was asleep q
portion Of the time.
Mr.. CottIell then introduced Frank Cavlor,
an employe Of the Big Four Railroad Com.
pany, and said that he wanted to prove py
this man that Ronacker had been going
about the ward in which he resides swearing
that he would make il warm for these -
- Democrats" The attorneys for the &C
cused and the members of the board held
however, that as this testimony had no bear.
ing on the case in hearing it should not be
received, and although Mr.. Cottrell Insisted,
Cayl0r was not permitted TO testify.
RoDacker then made his statement. He
said that Rieger had been in the habit of
selling liquor after hours, and he bad re.
ceived instructions to watch his place. He
further stated that Cook had poured tea.
spoon full Of whisky in the bitters. One of
his superior offices had told him to freeze
OUT all saloon-keepers on his beat who made
1t point not TO close at the regular time
and this wss his reason for remaining In Rie-
gers place so long. In answer to a question
he said that the superior officer referred to
given him similar instructions.
CoDklin testified next and denied the
charge that he was asleep. A large number
of other persons then testified as to the repu.
iation of Ronacker, and they all declared, so
far as they knew, he was an efficient officer.
TARRELL's CASE.
Farrell's case was then taken up. This
ofhcer arrested the bartender a. the Bates
House on charge OF selling liquor after IL
r.fa - -
deDce was altogether too weak TO convict
the man the case was dismissed by the May.
or. When the officer entered the saloon two
empty glasses were on the bar and a couple
OF men standing by them. Farrell put one
OF the glasses to his nose and found that il
had contained gin. He at once placed the
bartender under arrest, who claimed that the
glasses bad just been brought down from
one OF The rooms. Hon. John W. Kern, Re-
PORTER of the Supreme Court, Mr.. CottrslFs
main witness, not being present, Mayor Nc
Master told the board what that gentleman
bad testified to in his court. In the Cry
Court Mr. Kern was the main witness for the
defense, he testifving that no liauor had
been sold at the bar after the clock struck l 1,
and that the glasses had been brought from
the room OF one OF the guests on a tray Just
before the policeman entered the saloon.
The board then considered the testimony
generally and motion to reinstate Farrell
he negative. 1t was then resolved to take
RoDacker's case under advisement.
ASKING FOR LANG's SCALP.
Mr.. Cottrell then stated that he had res D.
luton TO Introduce, OF which be Desd MAKE
no comment, as much had been said relative
thereto slready. He handed the secretary
The resolution, which read as follows:
With view of making the police force more
efficient and for the purpose OF making il harmen
ious IN all It's parts IL is the opinion OF the Board
OF Police Commissioners that the superintendent
De requested 10 tender his resignation so as to
enable the board TO appoint some one more accept
able 10 them and also ems ole the board TO make
such needed changes will very materially in
crease the efficiency OF the force.
The resolution tailed to pass. Messrs. Mar
ply and Morrison voting against it The
baaId then adionrn ed mill Monday nirhi