The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1885-09-19

o knowledge Of human nature, at least an
acquaintance with the character Of the
men whom he appointed as his deputies
and the few desirable members Of his force
are such by mere accident. Many OF
them are themselves violators OF the laws
they arc sworn to enforce. Prominent
among these is Officer James Burns, ol
the Fourth ward. This officer has re-
peatedly behaved in such a manner as TO
create public scandal, and has added to
the odiun which attaches to the force
odium which reflects unjustiy upon the
few good men, and tends TO disgrace the
city as well.
THE CHARGES.
The charges against Officer Burns em-
brace:
l. Habitual aud aggravated intoxication.
2. Frequenting and lettering in houses
Of ill fame, in violation of Section lS Of the
Ordinance concerning odenses.
8. Using his official position to extort
money, beer and other iavors from women
Of the town.
4. Inelhciency, neglect Of duty and con-
duct in general unbecoming an officer.
The Specifications under each Of these
charges follow. No statement is made
which cannot be fully substsntiated. A
number OF similar stories are not narrated
here, because they are not necessary to
make the case, or because they have come
to the ears Of reporters too recently to be
fully investigated yet. Enough is estab-
lished, however, to make 1t plain that
Officer Burns has not abandoned his offen-
sive practices, and that these cases are
only fair illustrations Of his habits and
character.
Officer Burns was yesterday given fair
warming that II he remained q member OF
the police free until = o'clock last evening
his vile practices would be exposed in the
ISTELLI0ESc'R So far his resignation
has not been demanded, nor has it been
rendered. The responsibility for the pub
lie exposure and its consequences, there
lore, rests upon City Sergeant Smith
and Officer Burns. OF course Burns
knows even better than the INTELLlGEN-
GER how disastrous this exposure must be
to him and his. The ISTELLIGENcER en-
deavored to avoid the publication, but
those most seriously affected continued TO
defy public sentiment, seeming TO prefer
that the public should be mSde familiar
with the particulars OF their rank ofienses.
BuRNs's BADNESS.
Officer Burns's great mistaken forte has
been frequent and beastly drunkenness,
and an association with the fast women Of
the city, not only on his own but other
beats, both while on and of duty. His
drunkenness in many instances has been
at the expense of the women, who have
furnished the necessary drinks as one
would pay tarid-for protection by the
police. And not only this, but they have
under fear OF persecution allowed Burns
and other policemen privileges, by which
in their sorrowful commercial life they
make their living, and only in very few
instances have they ever received money
for this. The drinks have been demand
ed, given and received gratis and as mat
ter Of course. The abuse Of these free
drink and other privileges which started
with the advent Of the present force, has
so rapidly grown worse, that to-day there
are landladies who would gladly and will
ingly pay good round tariff for protec-
ton from the preying policemen with
which the force Is cursed.
INDIscREEr AS IMMORAL.
Had Burns been as discreet as some Of
his brother officers, who have been and
are at present guilty Of the same otfenseG
with which he Is charged, and Of which
the INTELLleENcER representatives in their
investigations have Secured proof as strong
as holy Writ, it is probable that the pres.
ent freely talked about scandals would
never. have become public, he would not
have been under the painful necessity oi
handing In his resignation, and the dis
grace TO himself and to the already dis
praeed force Of his incapable Chief would
have been averted.
But he hes not been discreet. Unlike
the other officers who have been treading
on dangerous ground ina quiet and care
ful manner, he has been open and bold in
his cowardly treatment OF the sporting
women OF East Wheeling.
What frat made his case special one
and caused the whispered stories about
the scandalous proceedings Of the police
in certain houses to be openly talked o.
on the street corners and In public places
was big, protracted drunk that Burns
got on in certain Eofstreet house.
This occurred between five and sl1
months ago. He went into the house
about O'Clock in the afternoon. At thai
hour he was on duty and in uniform; he
was also moderately full. The Madame
and her girls were at dinner.
Burns was given o seat in the parlor
and opened proceedings by asking tol
beer. The inmates saw at glance the
condition he was in, and hesitated about
producing the bottle Of malt, but finally
tearing that II they did not, he in hiI
drunken condition might cause then
trouble Of some kind, they gave him the
beer.
A SHAMEFUL SCENE.
Considering the trouble they had after
wards as the result of this, they woult
have done well to have refused him tht
bser-which, by the way, he did not ther
and has not since paid tor-aud fired hin
out oithe house. Aftersiyinghim thebee
the inmates left him, and again sat dow
10 dinner. At the conciusion OF the mea
Burns was found having stupid, ioll!
old time OF it in the parlor all by himself
The beer was gone, but that did not woFr!
the officer. He had brought bottle 0
whisky with him, and frequent drink
out Of the bottle had reduced Burns 10
state OF mRlodorous intoxication. Wha
to do tho Madame oi the house dit
not know. The hour was draw
ling close. when callem Wer
; expected, hut they could not b
expected e stay, or patronias II