Evening star., 1886-11-30
CITY AND DISTRICT.
MIR. McDEVITT REPLIES.
His Answer to the Charges Made by
Ex.MajOr Walker.

HE DENIES WRITING THE ANONYMOUS LETTERS OR
CONsPIRING WITH ARNOLD-wHY HE TOOK THE IN
FORMATION HE HAD TO THE WHITE HOUsE-MR.
wEBB's UNwLLNGNEss TO HEAR HIN.
Mr.. James A. McDevitt has addressed the fol-
| lowing letter to the District Commissioners:
Gentlemen: My attention has been called
through the newspapers to a very remarkable let
| Ter addressed to you, under date OF the 24th In
| slant, by Samuel H. Walker, major and superfn-
tendent OF police, in which he charges me with
conspiracy with Lieut.. Arnold and other members
OF the police force to wreck the present police ad-
ministration by means of a system of espionage,
threats, anonymous letters &C., which, he alleges,
has finally eliminated in the present scandal
In order to prove his assertions Maj Walker calls
atIentlOn 10 three anonymous letters In which
are In my handwriting.
II In reply to this charge desire to say that did
not write either OF those letters and that did not
procure them to be written and that do not
know who wrote them.
The second specification is that was unduly in.
visits to his station, and had private interviews
with him, and from this he draws the conclusion
that @ Arnold and myself were conspiring against
In reply to this allegation desire to say that
nave made frequent visits to Lieut.: Arnolds sta
vate interviews with him, but my busi-
ness on those occasions was to put Lieut.. Ar
OF
tanned in regard to the location of criminals and
stolen property and to assist him in the detection
OF crime. and on those occasions am certain that
the name OF Maj. Walker was never mentioned.
The charge OF espionage upon the action Of
Major Walker is ridiculous. Here is major and
chleI OF police surrounded by 200 officers COM
planning that he has been subject to the espionage
OF one man. Major Walker pays me altogether too
| high compliment, for, while claim to be COM
ubiquitous. The only truths contained in Major
| Walkers statement, so far as am concerned, is
that reported to the Chief Executive that / had
received information that Major Walker had sug-
geSted 10 his SubordinateS that watch should be
Kept upon the actions OF members OF Congress
with a view of influencing them in matters OF
| legislation relating to the District.
reported these facts just as received them,
because considered 1t my duty as citizen to do
espionage was attempted it would result in great
damage to the material interests OF the District.
90 Ana now permit me to explain to you the animus
| or Major Walker in writing this letter.
Will premise by saying that prior to the time 1
was legislated out OF Office in 1852 1 had been a
| member OF the Metropolitan police force for more
| than twenty years, and large portion OF that
| time had been acting as detective officer, and
the great majority OF the citizens OF this District
| VIII sustain me In saying that had made record
| second to none for efficiency and honesty.
In 1882 public clamor was raised against the
| detectlVe force as body, and committee was aD-
pointed, consisting OF prominent citizens OF the
District, to investigate the cha geS, and the result
was that other officers and my self were indicted
on the testimony Of convicted felOnS, some OF the
most notorious scOundrels in the country, who
were pardoned out OF the penitentiary for the pur
pose OF giving testimony.
Quilted and the following letter from Judge Wylie,
before whom the cases We're tried, shows cOnclus-
lvely That there were no just grounds for the ac-
| cuSatiOIS made against me:
! "WAsHINGToN, April 8, 1Ss6.-In regard to what
| were known as the detective cases, in some of
which James A. McDevitt was defendant, and all
| OF While was holding the criminal court. l take
pleasure In saying that In my opinion there was
| not particle OF evidence to cast a suspicion on
the conduct Of McDevitt, with the exception, pos
! sibly, OF one witness, who was brought from the
penitentiary by pardon for the purpose OF giving
evidence against him and who was so clearly per-
tured In the case as to cover the prosecution With
| confusion and bring reprOach upon those gentle
men, whose inconsiderate zeal had 1nstigated
taese u prosecutions and had procured the pardon
| 'Mr. McDeyitt is well-known citizen in this
city and an Old and tried public of1lcer. l have
seen him in trying situations and have taken
| part In many Investigations OF hfs conduct as
| police and detective officer, and he has now my
entire confidence In his integrity, good sense and
| manliness. ANDREW WYLIE."
have in my possession numerous letters from
prominent citizens fully tndorsing the statements
| of Judge Wylie.
1t is true that called upon the President, but
| not until after had made an effort to lay the
matter before the Commissioners.
suggestion made by Major walker to his iielten.
ants felt 1t to be my duty to submit 1t to the
proper tribunal. called at the Office OF the Dis
| L
| to him that was in possession OF Information and
facts which, II known to the community, the chief
| OF police could not remain such for a single
| day. The commissioner did not seem to care to
| know the particulars, and apparently paid no
attention to my remarks and respectfully with
| drew.
Had Mr. webb given me an audience, as he
| should have done, the citizens OF Washington
might not have been called upon to endure this
Infamous scandal.
My object in going to Mr.. Webb was that knew
ne had confidence In me, and felt that could do
him service, as he had in days gone by done me,
which the following letter will show:
"WAsHINGTON, ID. c. May 4, 1SS5.-MY DEAR SIR: /:
When took charge of the Metropolitan police de-
partment in the city OF Washington or rather
the District OF Columbia, in 1861 shortly after
ward James A. McDevitt was appointed patrol
man. He continued in that position until was
authorized by an act of Congress to organize de-
tective corps, doing his duties with great fidelity
and Intelligence. SO faithful was he to his duty
and SO intelligent in its discharge that !, at an
early date after was authorized to do, selected
him to serve in the corps OF detectives, because
needed in that corps just such qualifications as he
possessed. During all OF my service superinten-
dent he continued to serve member OF the detec-
i've corps, ana performed his duties most sat1Sfac-
torty. regard Mr.. McDevitt as an excellent Off
Ger, capable and reliable and as man every way
worthy OF confidence and respect. Very respect
| Iuliy yours w. B. WEBB"
1t is proper that should say that have had no
connection with Lieut.. Kelly and Officers Edelin,
ana BLOCK, as alleged by Major Walker. believe
| that have disposed OF the charges made by Major
| Walker as TO my connection with the SO-called
conspiracy. AS to my character and standing in
| the detective force OF the Metropolitan police,
am willing to be judged by the records OF the pO-
| lice department. Feeling conscious that have
always performed my duties faithfully, and in the
spectfully, JAMES A. MCDEyITT.