The Baltimore County union., 1886-12-04
Correspondence Baltimore County Union.
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.
The Police Scandal-An officer with
Bad Record-Congress Meets Next
Week-What 1t will Do, sc.

WASHINGTON, D. c., December LIST, 1856.
Editors Union Tho police investigation mem
toned in my letter last week eliminated in the
dismissal of Lieuts. Arnold and Edelen, the reduc-
ton of Sergt Diggins to the ranks, the suspension
of Lieut.. Kelly for three months without pay, and
the acceptance of the enforced resignation of the
Chief of Police, Major Walker. The Commission
ers rendered a wordy verdict, which was made
public, in which there was an appearance OF an
attempt to "whitewash" the record of Major Walk
er in connection with the affair and condemn sig
nally Lieut.. Arnold, against whom the charges
had been preferred, at the same time, however,
accepting Major Walkers resignation. The ver-
dict was received by the public generally with the
utmost surprise, especially it regarded Lieuts.
Arnold and Edelen, it seemingly being so very in
consistent with the evidence adduced in the case,
which all through the investigation had enlisted
an unusual amount of interest from the general
public A few evenings after the Investigation
closed an indignation meeting of at least portion
of the citizens of the District was held to protest
against the decision of the Commissioners as it
concerned the two discharged lieutenants, and en-
deavored to reinstate them in their place on the
police force; and also a subscription paper has
been circulated through the city and has been ex-
tensively signed to make up the lost salary OF
Lieut.. Kelly.
The remark was made by citizen that when
such an investigation as the above once begins no
one can tell where it will end, what names will be
involved or what is likely to be developed. appa-
rently prevalent oftenmes to the case, and which
otherwise would be unthought of and unknown to
the public. An instance of this kind has come to
light in this case. The New York Star of to-day
contains an account of the bad appointment of
Charles Mahon to be chief of the detective force OF
this city by the Commissioners on the recommen-
dation of Major Walker. According to the Stars
account Mahon is the man who was charged some
years ago, in New Jersey, with having committed
the revolving assault upon Miss Jennie Wilson, a
Young lady 13 years of age, the facts of which as
sarltas fngiline4 :" The was Serving on the Jersey
CITY police force when he committed the assault.
He was acquitted, the jury, however, standing ten
to two for conviction and there was no doubt in
the public mind of his guilt. He came to this city
afterwards and was appointed private on the
police force here by Major Walker, July 80, 1885,
and was hurriedy promoted through the different
grades until at last he was transferred to the de-
tective force and made its chief. The excuse that
Major Walker gives to vindicate himself for ap-
pointing Mahon, disreputable as he seems to have
been, was that his record was good since he had
been on the force, but the Star says that it is a
known fact that Mahon was recently cowhided in
the Smithsonian grounds by an indignant husband
for insulting his wife. Such are some of the facts
that sometimes leak out in connection with such
Investigations or are brought to public notice by
them.
Congress will assemble on next Monday but
Congressman seem more tardy than usual in
arriving here. Very many who are members OF
the present Congress- but will not be of the next,
have not yet put in appearance for this season,
which perhaps may be attributable to their indif-
ference about coming at all, it will be their last
session.
1t is said that the free eetraders and particularly
those that "got left in the late election, as Col.
Wm Morrison and Hon. Frank Hurd, will be as
rampant to push their measures through Congress
and impose them upon the country at this session
as at the last. If they are allowed by Mr.. Sam'l
J. Randall and other protection members of the
Democratic side to get their work in as they pro-
pose to do, it is possible that large part OF the
session will be wasted, as the whole Of the last
was, to the entire exclusion of all better legsla-
ton for the benefit of the country. There may be
an agitation of the silver, inter state commerce
and other important bills during the coming ses-
sion, and it is thought by many that thorough
investigation of the police scandal cannot be
avoided This latter is of as much Importance
and interest to the citizens of the District as any
other that can come before Congress, as they are
interested in pure police administration of the
city. But they are also greatly interested in the
increase of the school facilities of the District, as
at present, although there are very large num-
ber of schools and fine school buildings, there are
not nearly sufficient accommodations for all the
school children of the District, and many of the
school buildings-rented ones-are not tit for
school purposes ANON.