Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-02-10
CITY COUNCIL.
Much Talk and Little Business at Tues
day Evenings Session of the
City Fathers.
Majority and Minority Reports ON the
Charges Brought Against Omcer Bev-
ington Call Forth Long MINDED
Discussion-Epidemies Sig
mails Authorization
tine Business, Etc.

/
Thomas.
The minutes of the previous meet
ing were read by the clerk and ap
proved.
Bills were presented and approved.
Mr.. Tehan, from committee on streets
and highways-Pay ordinance to amount OF
S69. 80.
BY Mr.. Prince, from police committee
Pay ordinance TO amount of S19.45.
By Mr.. COnklin, from committee on gas
and corporation-Pay ordinance to amount
of 81, ,06l.6l.
By Mr.. Prince from police committee
Majority report (signed by himself and Mr..
Thomas) ON the investigation of charges
against Officer Bevington. The report sets
forth that the committee had met, and that
numerous witnesses had been examined. 1t
enumerated briefly the circumstances of the
alleged shooting of James Redden on the
night of Dec. Is last, and of the arrest of
S. Digan on the night of Dec. 25; also the
profane encounter between Officer Beving-
ton and Constable Jewett on the night of
Jan. s. and concludes that it is the opinion
of the majority Of the committee that Off
Ger Bevlngton, under the rules for the regu-
lation of the police, was not warranted in
firing his pistol in the case of Retiden. and
that with respect to the other cases, a proper
control of his temper would have cOmpOrted
best with the Office and duties of police
officer; and that he CONDUCT of Officer Bey-
ington in the cases recited merited proper
reprimand from either the chief of police or
the mayor of the city, which in the first two
cases was given.
Mr.. Kidder offered long adverse minor
ity report. He recited the circumstances of
the shooting of James Redden in great de-
tail and produced evidence and affidavits to
show that Redden's character was not only
not as bad as reported. but was one o. very
comnendable qualities; that his employer,
Mr.. c. IL. V. Bretney, had testified TO his
sobriety and truthfulness; and TO his gen.
erous contributions of money TO his relatives
in the Emerald Isle; and that the minority
committee is of the opinion that the conduct
of Officer BevingtOn on the night of the
shooting of Redden warranted an inyestiga-
ton: and also that the conduct of said
officer in making the arrest of Digan, in the
other case. also warrants investigation. and
said committee asked that council inyesti-
gate the case. and submitted the following
charges:
1st-That on the night of Dec. Is he
Officer Beyington) made such reckless Use
of his revolver while trying to arrest James
Carey that council cannot safely entrust him
with the powers of police officer.
2d.-That on the night of Dec. % he
made such reckless use of his club while in
charge of S. Digan, striking said Digan
with his club or mace without cause, as to
show himself to be of such quick temper
and so little discretion as to be wholly unfit
for the position of police officer.
3d.-That he used profsne and indecent
language on the night of Jan. s, 1886, on
one of the streets Of this city.
The report concluded with the recOmmen-
dation of the passage of the following res
olution:
Resolved, That the minority report be
and is adopted. And the time fixed for
the trial Of the accused shall be Feb. lS,
1886. and the clerk instructed to notify the
accused of the time and place of trial.
Mr.. Prince, on behalf of the majority
report, defended the report, and concluded
that taking all the evidence into account
was dCllliS VIII SOpu
tent i'm his conduct and that it would be
better for the morale of the city that
policeman Bevington be retained than for
him TO be discharged.
Mr. Tehan spoke at some length on the
reports, going over the evidence brought
out at the committees investigation (he be
ing present and acting as attorney for the
committeel, and concluding that the con-
duct of the officer in question merited dis
missal from the force. Upon making the
query, Chief Walker had told the speaker al
the investigation that the mayor and two
councilmen (Mr. johnson being one and the
name of the other having slipped his mem
ory) had instructed him to make report Oh
the case to council.
/ This brought Mr.. johnson to his feet, who
spoke at some length, who stated that he
had recommended to the chief that the
matter be brought before council for inves-
tigation, as he deemed it matter of suffi-
cient gravity for consideration. But he die
not share the expressed opinion that Oul
police force were in worse state of demon
aliZation than ever before in the history Of
| our city. He thought that it would compare
| fayorably with those of other cities. III,
thought, possibly, Officer BeviDgton wa.
Over-ZealOus in making his arrests, which
got him into trouble, but for his part b,
deemed that better quality than the othel
| extreme.
Mr.. Nets called attention to the charac
| ter of the witnesses against the officer, ant
pronounced evidence from such sourc,
very unreliable. He believed in upholding
as far as was consistent and right, the pO
| lice of the city for the moral effect it w0ul,
have upon the unlawfully disposed citizens
Mr. Nelson favored the passage of Mr.
Kidder's resolution. saying that when Mr.
Bevington was recommended TO council fO
the police force he took pains to inquire a
| to his character ana fitness for the position
and the universal testimony was against th'
man. In the course of his remarks, Mr.
\ Nelson stated that he had had il from goo,
authority that the police of the city has
been instructed to have nothing TO do in an,
way with the councilmen of this city.
The vote on the resolution having beel
reached, resulted as follows: Ayes, Acker
son, Conklin, Funk, CRUDE, Kidder, KOrn
Lessner. Nelson, Nets, Tehan. president
nays. Prince and JOhnson-l1 for and
against its passage.
| By Mr-Nelson, from committee on healtl
Report they find that there are numbe
of cases of scarlet fever in the city, and ais
diphtheria. They find that there is cit,
ordinance covering the spread of epidemies
which is universally ignored. The commit
tee offered a resolution that in every cas-
where scarlet fever or diphtheria prevails
shall be the duty of the residents of sal,
prtient to display red flag as signal o
danger. Resolution adopted.
BY Mr.. Kon, from auditing committee
Report of city clerks, weigh-master's an,
water works trustees reports for Januar,
as correct.
BY Mr. Conklin, from claims committee
Pay ordinance to amount of $50: Adopted
BY Mr.. Lessner, from fire committee
Resolutions recommending deed of J. w
Bookwalter for lot for fire house purposes
together with the terms therein for approx
al. Adopted.
By Ar. Prince -Rsssiutiss that SIS b