The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1886-11-26
ESTABLISHED AUGUST "a, 1852.
ruE DISTRICT DlsoRAcED,
Chief Of Police Charged with n scheme to
DlaCkuRil, WhitGwAshed,

WASHINGTON, Nov, 25.-lhe District
government is in disgrace. Tho police
scandal has been settled by the Commis'
sioners OF the District In such way Rs to
merely substitute o scandal upon them.
selves. They dismissed Lieutenant Ar
mold, long one ol the most efficient officers
on the force, and Lieutenant Kelly,
another very efficient officer, and alter
whitwashing the exceedingly inefficient
Chief OF police, and praiaing him highly,
decided that he must nevertheless resign
for reasons which, in fac, involve nothing
wrong,
The iaCtA OF the case were such Rs 10
make 1t impossible for the Commissioners
to retain Major Walker, the Ohiei, but II
looks as II they dare not dismiss him for
the oflense OF which he was clearly proved
guilty, and so they vhiteWRshed him la
this respect, aud demanded his resigua-
ton on grounds which involved nothing
disrsputAble.
Briefly, the case Is this; Chief Walker
In U conference with his officers, practical
ly told them 1t would be good thing to
watch members OF Congress, and get a
hold on them which could be used to fur
ther legislation for the force and the
District. Lieutenant Arnold told this 10
one ol his serGsants, and it shortly drited
into the press, Major Walker then drew
up letter denying tho story, and pre-
sented II to his officers to gign, They did
this, as all said, to try and stop . scandal.
Major Walker, however, evidently got
1t for use in an investigation to break the
force OF what he knew the officers must
testify to il they told the truth under
oath. Both Arnold nnd Kelley testified
to the truth and convicted Walker in the
minds Of this community. The best evi.
denCe OF Kelly's tIU.hiulneEG wAa that
though he and Arnold have not spoken
for two years hO did not hesitate to testify
that Arnold had given q truthful vsraion
OF what took place at the conference with
the chief.
From the lrat the Commissioners have
seemed 10 be determined to protect Major
Walker as far as possible, willis the sen,
timent OF tho people, without regard to
party, was pronounced against him. So
strong has been the Commissioners al
temDs to save him as to cause q general
belief that some Of them were involved
with him, and the opinion wsS widely ex-
pressed that orc Of the purpcGOs Of deair-
Ing TO catch Congressnen was to force
their help for the Job oil extending Mas
saCllusetts avenue,
The case became so strong against Ma
jor Walker that he could not be saved, but
The next best thing waS done for him, and
he was declared not guilty oi the 0Genss
charged BY Arnold and the other officers.
He was then asked to resign, becauOe, as
tho Commissioners say, they OQnnot In
dorse what seems to them the extreme OF
Major Walkers pogition, namely, relations
with ConVressmen, in tho hope OF being
Sbls to inf llsnce them. This, at tho same
time, lets Walker down GASY, and el6vRtes |
the Commissioners to q high plane. 4 |
few sentences before announcing this ex.
sltei reason for insisting on Walkers |
resiguasiop, tie manufacturers thus lib. |
orally whitewasAGd him:
"Flrst, II 10 untrue that Major Walker
made or contemplated making any such |
order or suggestion as was attributed to |
him ~ Lieutenant Arnold, and there is |
absolutely no ;nat basis whatever for
doubt OF Major Walkers entire integrity
OF purpose and sincerity oi statements.
ThOy then visit their wrath on the oihr
GERS and Sergoants who testified to what
Walker did say, and agreed that 1t was a
proposition to watGh Congressman. They
denounco these officers as tell.tSies sud
gossipB, and work themselves into much |
neat oyer them and kick them out. AS
they are much more efficient in LkD:! line
Of duty than the Commissioners, 1t iIl
likely that the latter will soon discover
that their troubles are just beginning
rather than ending.
The local papsrs will tomorrow morn.
ing publish interviews with a large nun.
ber Of representative business regarding
the deciBton oil tho Commissioners in the |
case OF Lieutenant Arnold. These exhibit
on almost unanimous condemnation ol tho |
Oomnieaionera' verdict.
Out Of almost Q huudFsd men inter.
viewed only one was found who beloved
the verdict to be Just.
A petition was signed by a number Of
buuiness men tonight Tor presontatlon to
Commissioners, protesting against their
decision and asking the reinstatement Of
Lieutenant Arnold.