Evening star., 1886-11-29
FOR ARNOLD AND KELLY.
Mass Meeting of Citizens Consider the
COmmissiOmers' Action.

| COnlmissiOners' Action.
A COMMITTEE OF TEN TO ASK FOR REHEARING AMI
TO GO To THE PRESIDENT IF NECEssARY-wHAT WAS
SAID AND DONE AT THE NATIONAL RIFLES ARMORY
SATURDAY NIGHT.
The National Rifles ArInOry hall was crowded
Saturday night, in response to the call for meet
Ing of citizens to take action respecting the recent
decision OF the commissioners in the Arnold case,
| as It affected Lieuts Arnold and Kelly. 1t was
long after eight o'clock when Mr.. ChaS A. Walter
appeared, escorting Mr.. E. Francis Riggs. MrWal-
ter introduced Mr.. Riggs as the temporary chair
man OF the meeting, an announcement which was
greeted with applause.
MR- RIGGS TAKES THE CHAIR.
Mr.. Riggs took his stand at a table under a large
picture OF President Cleveland Mr.. Riggs stated
| thRt they had met for the purpose OF obtaining
justice for two men whom, they conscientiously
believed, have been wrOnged. He called for nomi-
nations for permanent chairman. Allison
Nailor, jr., and Nh. Riggs were nominated Both
gentlemen declined, but Mr.. Riggs was finally
chosen to preside, despite his protests. Several
nominations for the Office of secretary were made
and Dr. Frank Loring was elected. Then there
were calls for speeches but no one responded for
time.
THE yIRTCOUS J. II. SYPHER DENOUNCEs JOBBERY.
Finally j. II. Sypher, OF Louisiana nOtoriety, took
the floor, stating at the outset that he was not
citizen OF Washington. He characterized the occa-
sion as most remarkable one. eve are here" he
said ITO endeayOr TO devise plan by which Justice
may be done to two or more honest and honorable
men. These men have been stricken down by
most extraordinary proceeding. have never in all
my experience witnessed Or read of q proceeding,
which resulted In the conviction OF the accused,
the conviction OF accuSer, the conviction OF the
OF the court" Referring to the Judgment executed
by the commissioners upon Arnold and Kelly
he said he apprehended that another execution
was not very far distant when a higher power
would execute judgment on their heads. He para
phraSed LfnconS statement OF the character OF our
g0vernment m en-. 0y SAYING: u aPprehend that the
OF jobbers, by Jobbers for jobbers." He attacked
the form OF government in the District, under
citizenship, the only right OF appeal they had
being to their fellowcitzens and this appeal they
now made in the cases OF the two police ieuteIi-
ants.
DIR. CULVER DRIFTS INTO POLITICS.
Some one called out: "Let us hear from a Dis
trict man, Dr. Culver This started a call for Dr.
Culver, and that gentleman took the floor. He
said that all felt that wrong had been done, and
that the two police heutenantS had not had fair
and proper hearing. They had been denied the
privilege of being heard by counsel. The speaker
then left this subject and made some remarks OF
political character attributing grievances Of citi
ZenS to the political complexion OF the District
government. IL believe" he said "that when the
democratic party is in power the offices should be
given to democrats. The District government is
neither republican nor democratic. What shall
we cal! IL? Mugwump? 1t is, indeed, hybrid
Iuu JIty expect UO Ue SUCCESSFUL
In their administration when it is neither one
thing nor the other? 1t should be all democratic
or all republican,
Here DR.. Culver was fnterr1lpted by very prO-
nOunced chorus of Kisses.
NO doubt, he said. '.my remarks are not agree
able to some here, but must express my convic-
tlOnS.7
''Speak to the question or sit down." shouted
some one I'm the rear OF the hall
Dr. culver then resumed, dropping the question
OF politics and urging action to right the wrongs
or the citizens who have been, as they believed,
unjuStly treated.
THE COMMITTEES on RESOLUTIONS.
Mr.. Allison Nailor moved the appointment OF q
committee OF five on resolutions.
property holders" suggested Mr.. BENJAMIN
Reiss.
'That don't natter said Mr. R. ]. Beall. "We
want sensible men.s Property don't make brains"
The motion was carried, and the chair invited
Mr.. NailOr to advise with him as 10 the selection
OF eligible men.
'.what do you call eligible, please?r asked some
one near the door.
..S0me one who has more brains than you have"
said Nh: Beall. answering the question.
M, MT riggs announced as the committee, Messrs.
ford and Frank W. Hackett. Mr. Barr not re-
spending Mi. Riggs appointed Mr.. r. j. Beall in
his place.
The committee retired and in few minutes re-
ported resolutions setting forth that eve believe
that the commissioners OF the District OF Colum-
bla. by their recent decision have done Injustice
TO L1euts. Arnold and Kelly. and whereas Lieuts
ArnotG anu nelly, Dy long years OF faithful and
honest service upon the police force of the District
OF Columbia, have gained, and do still RETAIN the
confidence of the business men, property owners
and citizens of the District OF Columbia that we
consider the decision against Lieut.. Arnold and
the punishment OF Lieut.. Kelly, without trial. as
this meeting that the decision OF the Commission
ers Is inconsistent, unwarranted and unjust, and
should be set aside, and both Lieuts. Arnold and
Kelly should be reinstated and restored to their
positions and rank in the police force; that COM
mttee OF ten be appointed by the chair to wait
upon the commissioners and request them to re-
open the case, and in the event they refuse to act
then to wait upon the President OF the United
States and request him to review the case and do
justice therein"
WANTED MAJOR WALKER INCLUDED.
When the resolutions were read Mr.. Beall said
that they were reported by the majority He had
proposed an amendment In the committee, and he
now offered 1t TO the meeting, providing for strik-
Ing out the names OF Arnold and Kelly and insert
Ing all affected 10y the commissioners decision
The chairman suggested that the purpose of this
meeting was TO express sympathy and offer aid to
two persons, and he thought it unwise to make it
more general.
Mr.. Beall argued that there were two sides to
every story, and that justice demanded that they
"The two worthy men only, not the unworthy
men," said ex-POlice Sergeant Clements.
rs tne gentleman property Owner?" asked
some one in the crowd, referring to Mr. Beal!
Mr.. Beall said he did not know whether he was
or not. Tnere was property here that had been In
HIS Haule oillcc 1891, ana ne 0l0 not Know anyone
who had deeper interest In District affairs 81
have seven children, he remarked, .'and wouldn't
give them Tor all OF C0rcoran's wealth.
MI. Hackett and others protested against going
outside OF the call for the meeting, which was in
the interest OF two men only.
MT. L: b. Stocking said the call was for all who
believed In fair play. 1t was said the Commission
erS had unJustly condemned two men, but he
would say three men. The Commissioners de-
clared that Walker was not guilty, but had been a
little improper. The principle on which Walker
had been condcmned-that no member OF the police
force could go TO Congress except through the
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES un-American. They asked
TO nave the case reOpened but 1t could not be re-
opened without trying Major Walker again as well
as others
Mr.. a. X. Browne and one or two others spoke I'm
favor OF fair play to all.
Mr.. Riggs said that the proposition seemed to
MIN extraneous to the purpose OF the meeting as
expressed in the call.
MAJOR WALKER READY TO STAND TRIAL.
ave want Major Walker and all to have a fair
trial." said Mr.. Beall
major Walker resigned" said ex-Sergeant
Clements.
81 understand all about his resignation said
ready TO stand a fair trial"
MI: Beall'S proposed amendment was put to vote
and lost. Nv ~ WV
Mr. Paul T. Bowen then offered a resolution de-
caflnS mat the occurrences In the police depart-
ment are the direct and necessary results of the
form or government In the District demanding for
the community local Self-gOyernment and Dr0pos-
Ing a committee TO prepare plan To present to
Congress-.
''The resolution" said Chairman Riggs. .sseems
10 the chair so totally foreign to the purpose of
this meeting that he hopes sincerely that IL viii
not be discussed"
DID NOT WANT TO HEAR SUFFRAGE SPEECHES.
1--WE came here TO do some thing to vindicate