The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1885-09-22
POLICEMAN BURNS.
THE TALKED OF INVESTIGATION
b, the Council Committee Declared on by
Chief Of Police smith for Reasons Known
to HIm.sls-rhs Chief says he win
do His eva Investigating.

The case Of Officer James Burns, Of the
CITY Police force, who was shown by the
ISrELLloRScER OF last Saturday to be
puiity Of numerous misdeeds, any one Of
which ought to effect his removal from
tbs force, was still leading topic of con-
yersation about town yesterday. One or
two gentlemen said the statement that
Bnrns spent large part OF tho night after
his exploits on the Island, at the X. OF L.
picnic, in the house at ll5 Seventeenth
street., was incorrect, for on that night he
Law drunk in an Elm Grove car on Six
teenLh street. A little inquiry developed
the fact that Burns had slept of drunk
on another occasion in an Elm Grove car,
but that on the night above referred 70 be
was very drunk and spent most OF the
night at the house mentioned.
Capt. Smith is quoted by the Register 81
gazing that he concluded not to call to-
oether the committee on police, IS hn at
first proposed, bnt that he would make
bis own investigation. The committee
was not called, and did not meet: 1t is
said on good authority that the Chiet has
continued his inquiries, and uniformly
with the result Of confirming the pub
Ilished statements. The Captain, however,
leaves himself loophole; he says il he
is satisfied OF Burns's guilt he will re-
move him. Anybody else would have
been satisfied long ago.
THE MAYORS VIEWS.
An IXrgLLIGEXCER reporter yesterday
called on Mayor Grub and asked hlm
what he thou ht Of Burns's case by This
ttima. The Mayor responded that the
charges were grave ones, and il true even
Iin mart Burns should be removed; whether
true or not, he thought it was the Chiefs
duty as soon as he found any degree o.
confirmation, TO suspend the accused
pending an investigation, which should be
prompt and thorough. Instead OF thts
the Chief hss asked persons who know.
the fact II the charges we're true, and mad
been toll! that they were. Still Burns hs7
been allowed n remain on the force four
DAYS. Personally, the Mayor thong t the
charges bore the impress Of truth. At any
rata he fact that many OF them bad been
matters Of public talk neccrsitated rigid
investigation.
"WiiI you take any action?" the Mayor
was asked.
II have purposaly RETAINED from rly
ing anything or dong anything in the
matter, 80 that Captain Smith might have
a chance to yindicate himself aud ae3erI
his manhood without any suspicion oil be-
ling forced into the proper course. He he;
failed to do anything, aud has exhibited
the same weakness which hus always
characterized his course. shall Therefore
be compelled, out OF regard for my official
oath, to lay the whole matter before the
Council tomorrow evening, il the Cniefs
plain duty still remains undone."
Some curiosity has been exurecaed as to
the motive for the Mayors silsnCe in face
Of the serious charges against one OF the
departments Of the city government. Hit
remarks, quoted above, explain this.
"LArE>T on THE CASE"
A well known young msn hailed au
IHTELLIGEScER reporter list evening WITH
the remark:
az s'poIe you've heard the latest news
in the B rms case?"
81 don't know. What is itf
"Burns hes resolved to hold thorough
investigation, and ii he becomes satisfied
OF his guilt he will promptly resign"