The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-13
ANOTHER OFFICER TO Be REMOVED.
The Police Commissioners Preparing to Dis
miss Captain Campbell from the Force.

The drop from conspicuity and the quiet
that has followed the turmoil over their removal
OF Superintendent Lang is evidently not to the
liking Of the Police Commissioners, as they are
now preparing to remove another officer Of the
force, upon charge that suggests that there has
been much seeking of pretext for the contem-
plated action. The victim is to be Captain Rob-
ert Campbell. the oldest and beet known police
officer in the city, who was retained as the Re-
publican captain when the Metropolitan force
was organized.
On last Tuesday Captain Campbell went into
the Office of O'Donnell. the acting superinten-
dent, to report the theft of horse.
Have you been talking to the commissioners
today" abruptly and rather fercely asked the
acting superintendent
Eyes. have talked with one Of the commits
sioners. was the Captains reply.
II understand you have been criticising Lowe
and me. What in the -- did you go TO
the board for7 I'm not going to allow my subor-
dinate officers to criticise me- and the sentence
was rounded up with denunciatory exclama-
ton, expressing the warm state of the irate and
excited acting superntendents feelings
s.You are public officer, and you are subject
to criticism" answered the Captain.
sTm not going to allow my subordinate officers
to talk about me, SO far as police business is con-
cerned.n
'.As policeman replied Captain Campbell,
II think you don't amount to --"
"Im working for the Police Commissioners
and to suit myself" said the acting superintend-
ent land don't care - - for you or any
body else."
Captain Campbell replied that he was working
for the people of Indianapolis, but the interview
oh cotv, hxyG
tering the room. 1t seems that little time was
lost by the acting superintendent, in going to
the commissioners with a complaint, for yester-
day Captain Campbell received from Secretary
Snyder formal note, informing him that q
charge of profanity had been fled against him.
The only person who could have preferred the
charge is the acting superintendent. as there
was nobody present during the interview be-
tween the two officers, and according to Captain
Campbelfs story the acting superintendent was
the first to use profane words.
President Murphy, of the Police Com mission,
said last night that the examination Of the
charges against Captain Campbell would occur
just as soon as Commissioner Downing returned
When told that it was possible Campbell would
ask for public hearing, he replied, Certainly,
he can have it. 1t is his right under the law. "
He did not think Captain Campbell, since the
promotion of O'Donnel, had been satisfied with
the arrangement. In many respects be was a
good officer. but he had an independent air about
with his superior officer. "The charges
against him are two" said he, ''pro-
family and characterization. believe he
makes the return charge that O'Donnell first
swore at him. l have never heard ODonnell
swear. You know his appointment was an ex-
pertinent, but we have been satisfied with it. He
may be quick at times-a characteristic of
Irishmen--but think he has shown no DISPOSE
ton TO favoritism in the force, fault that Capt
Lang had. O'Donnell wants to treat all the
men with equal regard, and political feeling does
not actuate any of his motives, for he has sew
eral occasions commended to me the services of
Sergeant Travis, who stands in the line of pro-
motion. It is gratifying to know that Commits
sioner Schaman has been in accord with US in
every action relating to the good Of the force"