The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-06-23
MR.. COTTRELL'S WRATH.
Another Sensational Episode at the Boards
Meeting-Iang's Veracity Impeached.

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The regular meeting Of the Board Of Police
Commissioners was held yester day afternoon,
and was accompanied by the usual sensational
episode. Perhaps the above statement should
be altered somewhat, for the meeting was little
more than an Intellectual attempt at one, an uncer
emonious adjournment being made necessary by
the boards sensation maker Mr.. Cottrell, before
any business had been transacted Some weeks
ago DIR. Cottreil asked the indulgence of his col
leagues, Messrs Murphy and Morrison, to per
NIT him to make an appointment-that of
Joseph Breckenridge, a colored Democrat, to &c
a driver Of the patrol wagon. He vouched
FOR the responsibility and trustworthiness of his
appointee, and, largely influenced by desire to
10 what they could, by quiet acquiescence to the
wishes Of the gentleman, to heal the rupture
already existing in the board, the other commits
sioners interposed no objection, and Breckenridge
was appointed, the usual formalities being
waived. Scarcely had the new man donned his
official blue before the discovery was made that
perhaps, after all, the appointment peculiarly
unfit A pointer from an old patrolman prompted
Mr.. Morrison to search the records of the police
court, which resulted in the discovery
that the Joseph Breckinrdge aforesaid had
figured with great regularity before the
magistrate presiding over that court, in response
to charges of drunkenness disorderly conduct,
assocating with prostitutes and petit larceny,
preferred against him by the police. Joseph
bad frequently been convicted of msdemeanors,
although the larceny charge was not pushed, and
he had served the county under the supervision
of the sheriff for number of terms, amounting
in the aggregate to about one hundred days
Mr. Cottrells attention was called to this fact
YES" said he, Joe has been trif1e wild at
times, but he is doing well now just give him
chance" And the prayed-for chance was granted
few days ago Joseph while driving
the patrol-wagon, ran the vehicle into
high curbstone breaking the wheel
and falling from the seat to the sidewalk
himself. 1t was intimated to the board that at
the time OF this occurrence Breckenridge was
under the influence of liquor, and, accordingly,
the first business of the meeting of yesterday
afternoon was an investigation into the matter
The meeting had been called for o'clock. When
the other members arrived at the station house
at that hour, they found Mr.. Cottrell already on
the ground. It was evident that he had trav
eled a long distance to get there and had made
frequent stops on the way. at each of which he
had added to the burden he started with. He
was in a laxative mood, and had much to say
In short, he had been demonstrat-
ing. his sympathy for the down
Mr.. Coy and was in good shape to assert him
self, although not perhaps to best advantage.
The question of the accident to Breckenridge
was introduced as soon as the board had been
called TO order. and Mr.. Morrison proceeded to
make statement of what his search of the
records had disclosed. Some ore else present
referred to the rumors concerning the recent
misbap This brought Mr.. Cottrell to his feet,
and he proceeded to question the correctness OF
the report. Superintendent Lang, who was
present, said that whether Breckenridge was
under the influence of liquor at the time not,
he was certainly incompetent to fill
the position; besides, he had been in.
Breckenridge was under the influence of
liquor when the accident occurred. Mr.. Murphy
asked the superintendent who, if anyone, had
ever informed him that Breckenridge had been
drinking to excess at any time since
eral persons had 50 informed him,
among them Captain Colbert and Sergeant
Quigley, and added that there were no two
opinions among either Democratic or Republican
ridges incompetency. Mr. Cottrell became
greatly incensed at these statements Of
the superintendent and asked impetu
ously that Breckenridge be sent for.
superintendent Lang leIC the room 10 get the
accused and during his absence Mr. Cottrell
INDUCED in number of criticisms not alto
gether complimentary to that officials character
and efficiency. When Breckenridge appeared he
was asked for his side of the story, and denied
very vigorously that he had been drinking al
the time the accident occurred. He admitted
having taken few drinks since his appointment,
but never while on duty. Mr.. Cottrell contin
ued to grow excited while listening to Breckin
ridges story, and at its close turned on
Superintendent Lang and said: II be
lieve what Joe says. I believe,
further, that Mr.. Lang has Intentionally
made false and untrue statement" The re
mark was made in very offensive manner, and
had its effect. Lang coored to the eyebrows
and gared at the offending commissioner in
manner that showed that the limit had been
reached, and that another insulting remark of
SIMILAR character would be resented very forcibly.
President Murphy, perceiving the situation
jumped up, and, rapping the table soundly, de-
clared the board adjourned and left the room
followed by Messrs Morrison, Lang and Snyder,
leaving Mr. Cottrell alone in his glory, and to his
reflections