The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-17
CAPTAIN CAMPBELL APoLoGIsEs.
He Admits that He Did Wrong, and is Al
lowed to Remain on the Force.

The testimony offered at the investigation of
Acting Superintendent ODonnells charges
against Captain Campbell by the Police Com
missioners, yesterday afternoon, was not of
character to startle the Board or spectators.
There were only three witnesses-the Captain,
the Acting Superintendent and Sergeant Stout
AS to the meeting of the Captain and the Super
| intendent in the Commissioners Office Tuesday
| last, ODonnelI claimed that when Campbell
came into the Office, he did not approach him, sit
ting in the rear room until he was called. Camp
bell said he went there to report
stolen horse that had been recov
cred, but ODonnell, continuing his side
of the story, said when I called him to me
told him that heard he had been talking about
me ana the ineficiency of the force Captain
Campbell admitted that he might have said
something to that effect, but he did not consider
the inef6ciency applied to me. I, however. I'M
derstood him to mean was not fit man to be
a policeman. / asked him if he had seen Schur
mann. He said Yes and then replied: why
did you not come to mes / will not allow any
criticism OF my acts by a subordinate officer.
am superintendent Campbell said I do not
| care - for the force then called his at
about at night with Commissioner Schurmann,
and he said: - -, / would not go with
him. He also referred to officers visiting g
houses of ill-fame after / had told
them to do so in the line of their duty He then
sad You have good deal to learn about po-
lice business. / have been in the service nine
teen years and number of the other organiza-
tons replied that was glad did not belong
to the old organization. Campbell did not say
anything about making report, and he was the
only one that INDUCED in profanity during the
conversation, which lasted about half hour. L
was cool and read paper the most of the time,
while he was excited"
Sergeant Stout said he came into the room
while O'Donnell and Campbell were talking He
did not stay long-not more than minute or
two, but heard the latter say. 49, woald
not have gone around with him."
Captain Campbelrs account began with the
purpose of his call on ODonnel and that was
to report the recovery of o horse that followed
Mr. Irwin down from Lafayette ODonnell at
once said Have you been talking to the Com
missionersV l answered, No; but have been
talking to Schurmann.' He said, What in -
did you talk to Schurmann forf and he then went
on to say that he was superintendent and would
allow officer to crticse his acts. After this,
he asked me if / did not speak about Sergeant
Lowe going around the city with Commissioner
Schurmann. / replied. Yes; 1 do not think it
right for an officer to do that, as it has
reached the papers that the two were
out after scalps. In my excitement
l spoke I did, saying, you know --
little about the police business, and will know
more at the end of the year. was aggravated
by ODonnell's manner, and by the belief that
his word would be taken by the commissioners
in preference to that OF any other officer. got
this from what Mr.. Murphy said, when ODon-
nell was installed as acting superintendent"
Commissioner Murphy did not think he made
the statement that broad, and that its only ap-
plication was TO complaints of men when they
were changed from one beat to another. You
have sense enough, Captain Campbell" contin-
ued Mr.. Murphy, ito know that I would not
make statement of that kind without qualfca-
ton" Captain Campbell replied that he drew
that conclusion from the gentleman's address,
and he was further excited by O'Donnell saying,
II am glad did not belong TO the old organiza-
tion.n
Mr.. Duncan who appeared as attorney for
Captain Campbell. addressed the board and said,
as the Captain had admitted the offense, he did
not think the punishment should be more than
reprimand, if that. 1t appeared that both Off
GERS were excited. although Captain ODonnell
claims he was, throughout the conversation, cool
and self possessed. He may be very cool and
placid" said the lawyer, "but his nationality
would belle that. Captain Campbell's state
ment is entitled to as much credit as Captain
ODonneps"
The Commissioners then went into executive
session, which continued until $3.50 o'clock an
hour and half from the close of the testimony.
In the meantime Campbell and O'Donnell were
both sent for, and it Is presumed the matter was
then settled, for within few minutes the board
announced the following decision: I'VE find
that Captain Campbell is guilty as charged, but
said Campbell having made satisfactory apology
to acting Superintendent O'Donnell, and both
appearing before the board with such statement
the matter was ordered dropped"