The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1885-10-05
CAPT. SMITHS POLICE.
ANogRER &c REsIeNs
And the whole Force WIN Evidently DO
Sacrificed If Necessary to Prevent the
Lols Ottbs CITY serssanps own ON.
eiai HOAd-somo Recent Cases.


eiAl Hond-somo Recent Cases.
When Porter Smith was candidate for
City Sergeant the 1NTELLioEScER was well
aware that previous to that time, to-wit,
on the 18Th OF December, 1888. Porter
Smith had been srrestedby the citypoiice
force in the house Of prostitution kept by
Mrs. Ship, on the South Side; that he
gave fictitious name to the two officers
who arrested Kim, who, however, knew
him well, and that thenext morning fine
was assessed against him under that fcti-
tious name. This information the INTEL
LlGEScRR was solicited TO use to defeat the
election Of Smith, but 1t refused TO do 30,
out OF consideration for the mans family
aud because it WAS hoped that he had re-
formed. It is now but fair that this fact
should be made public. Indeed, 1t has al
ready become known to many people
through rumors circulated sioce his cleo
ton.
Had Smith conducted himself person
ally and administered the affairs OF his
office as he should, it would not be neces.
sary 10 expose this or later official and
personal acts OF an improper character.
But when accused Of inetticiency and mis-
deeds his defense is an assault on the
character Of others. When exposure oil
his own or his subordlnates' faults seems
imminent he threatens those in posses
sion Of the dreaded information.
While the inefficiency and fitness
Of his force Is questioned publicly, he ap-
points as deputy under him man whom
bis own officers have arrested for aserious
aisdempanor within month. When bis
administration is reported TO Council as
inefficient and Corrup', he and his friends
say the charges are mot specific"
SPECIFIC CHARGE.
On last Wednesday evening, September
80, Porter Smith Was informed that at 3
certain house well known 10 people famil.
lar With the darker side OF city life as o
iavorite resort OF the vicious and de-
PRAYED for immoral purposes, was then
congregated considerable number Of
leWd men and women for purposes pro-
hihited by law. Il was pointed out TO
him that resorts like this one, which Is in
the Second ward, and another on Water
street. are particularly obiectiona.
Bile because they have not been brand
ed publicly with tho infamy OF ex.
posure in the courts, aud the lowest and
yilest classes there have access to persons
comparatively young in vice, who fall an
easy prey 10 their wiles. Members Of
Capt. smiths police force have known Of
the real character Of these houses for
long time, and have expressed desire ~
weel them out. His informant remarked,
III you want to bring those people to JUS.
tice, now ia YOUR chauce," aud offered TO
produce Witnesses whose truthful tesa>
mony would as ure the conviction OF the
proprietorB and the inmates.
Capt. Snilh promised II ho could Aud
CLERK DMrah" to have warrant issued
aud make a raid on the house. Clerk
Darrah was at that time In bis room, and
the Chief could not have failed TO and him
had be made the slightest effort. He did
not make the slightest effort. Yet the
ordinance concerning oifenses prescribes
section 521 that 1t shall he the duty Of
the Sergeant Of the city and each one Of
his deputies, knowing or being informed OF
any violation OF any Of the provisions OF
this ordinance, to make information
against the person 60 offending"
A CONTRAST.
Ga Saturday night the police force, or
aportion oft, VISITED the house Of Madame
Ship, in the Filth ward, who Ia known TO
have Number Of female inmates Ia her
house. She was found with one other
woman In the house, The officers also
visited the house Of Ann Wooster, on
Twenty-drst street, where ten persons were
arrested, about two thirds OF the ordinary
number Of inmates OF the house on SAtuT.
day nights, At the house on Sixteenth
street, which Is also under control OF Mrs.
Wooster, nota person was in tue house,
though the lights we're all burning. one
man lied from the kitchen as the officers
entered. f'ss
People who heard these facts yesterday
very quickly drew the natural inference
that this was a blind. 1t Is no mere co.
incidence that three houses 80 favored by
the present Chief as these three should be
pulled" at this time with such result.
II was freely predicted yesterday that this
was Smiths slick method OF paving the
way for y campaign in which he would en-
deavor to carry out his threat ITO make it
hot" for the women who had the temerity
TO tell the truth when 1t hurt him.
None Of the women in these three
houses have yet testified against the pc.
lice. None OF them have been summoned.
Some OF them know things which it may
become important to bring out. These
facts all taken together are significant.
4 "REMINISCENCES.
Some little time ago-so recently that
the facts are still fresh in the public mind
"a party Of men from Washington coun-
ty, Pa, visited the Wooster house in
search Of q friend. Just alter they left Q
row sprahg up in the house, and great
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