Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-12-11
EX.CHIER WALKERS APPEAL.
The Circumstances Under Which He
rendered His Resignaeion.
HR ASKS FOR RECONSIDERATION OF THE ACTION OF
THE DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS IN HIS CASE

He ASKS FOR RECONSIDERATION OF THE ACTION OF
THE DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS IN HIs CASE
The following letter was sent by Mr.. Walker
late major and superintendent OF police TO the
District Commissioners:
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Dec. 1, 1886.
Gentlemen: After the lapse OF some days when
the ontmns OF the late attack OF the lawless
classes upon the police department and Incident
ally upon you is becoming apparent: when the
power OF the public opinion OF the nobler elements
ol our people Is beginning to reaSSer its right 10
dominate; and day by day ii becomes more and
more patent to all that your fnconsiderate action
In asking for my resignation has done me great In
Justice; dare not do otherwise than appeal 10
you lor such reconsideration OF your action in this
case as Will allow me TO vindicate my good name
In the community OF my birth. IL is a self
evident proposition, that no man can fearleSsly
execute the law and give peace and security 10
tne community who is himself besmfrched with
crime, or who has any affliation with those
classes who are directly the subjects of the watch
1ul care OF the police department.
IL Is evident that moral principle that dis
uhgulshlng characteristic OF all who are aCknowl-
eugeH nai, 10 possess the true patent of natures
nooliity, IS necessary prerequisite for success
1uI chief OF police AT the nations capital
NO one can place his iinger upon any act OF my
administration or any iniudicious eyprassion
which, when examined critically Will not tnor-
Oughly vlndlcate my conduct I'm every particular
lou admit that my administration has been with
yielded from the law or the right because OF the
clalnor OF the lawleSS classes for INV removal. !.
that nave made record for order in the depart
ment; tnat have won the esteem and respect CT
nearlI the entire force; that have Judicously re-
neVed the unfortunate poor; that L have endeay-
ore 10 stop the tribute paid by the awlesS classes
LOT lne privilege OF plying their yocations undis-
turbed by the police that the record OF crime was
being materially leSsened and the receipts OF the
tax collector constantly increased by my ceaseless
efforts TO bring credit and honor TO your admins
trat1on. You know that the smalness or the force
an average OF from fifteen to seventeen
hours OF daily labor and constant Inspection at
every point on the part OF the chief: that this
constant watchfulneSS promised good results TO
tlle orderloVing citizen and was the cause OF the
polntment on the force and the lawless element
VINO are anxious for any change that prom
lses TO enhance their ingatherfngs from the un-
fortunate men and women or the town. Without
an opportunity given me OF showing the cause OF
the SenSeIeSS clan0r and without notice or oppor-
tunity 1or consultation with friend or attorney
without a consideration OF the evidence in the
case or any time for consideration YOU
on on November 24th, after one O'Clock,
requested me TO tender my resignation
and date ii back. You stated that you feared that
my efficiency would be impaired for good in the
department, and your administration might be
Office because OF these ISLANDERS circulated SOL
emnly protested against the injustice OF YOUR
action In making the request; that my resignation
at mat Time would be construed confession OF
weakness ana completely in the conspiracy; that
would not tender ii under any such impressfon
You appealed TO MI. Davis TO say that you would
be relieved by my resignation, and would say
when read your order that nothing whatever in
IL could possibly reflect upon my integrity In the
least. You assured me that YOU had Implicit con-
fdence In the purity OF my administration. and
would make manifest that confidence, so that INV
friends could not mSJudge my motives for YIELD
Ing TO your request. / finally yielded TO writing
and signing paper written near about as follows,
VIZ: Nov. Is, 1856: "LeSt you should be embar-
rassed IN your investigation OF the conspiracy
against the head OF the police department. tender
You my resignation, TO take effect AT such time as
you may please TO accept it," / told YOU that YOU
needed about one-tenth OF my backbone TO stand
up for the right, and defy false public sentiment
created In the interest OF the laWless elements of
society," that If you yielded TO them the better ee-
fnents would certainly in the end make you regret
I he action you had taken or demand your release
from the responsibility OF Office. You consented
TO the publication OF my letter TO you OF Noy 18th
but you did not consider its truth and the accom-.
panying vouchers in your dealing with me- While
you say in your order sit is untrue that Major
Walker made or contemplated making any such
order or suggestion as was attributed 10 him and
there Is absolutely no just basis whatsoever for
doubt or Major Walkers entire integrity OF pur-
pose and sincerity OF statement" you leave an
implication OF 1mpropr1ety on my part in oompli-
menting your estimates and making an honorable
suggestion TO the officers TO make friends in your
interests.
You promised me solemnly to leave me entirely
free from any possible reflection whatever I'm your
order respecting this Trial.
l am sorry TO say that in my own judgment and
In the estimation OF friends, you have not met the
question, and knowing your disposition for far
play, and your kindly feeling for me- would be liable
10 make you fearful lest that while you are doing
me but simple Justice, you may make yourselves
liable 10 criticism. ask you 10 leave the consid-
Grafton OF this question TO some one who is Impair
tial but has no friendly feeling for Inc personally,
ana In the mean time make no dppointn,ent for TIE
racdacy: or better, take up the entire case do
equal and exact justice 10 all I'm the light OF addi-
tfonal testimony, and this will certainly restore
me TO the Office which have honestly admins
tered, and you Will receive the credit OF doing
right
AS this is no confidential matter YOU can men-
uon IT or not TO Others, as You think proper
Very respectfully, SAMUEL Ii. WALKER
Late Majo and Supt. NJ P