Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-11-13

Murtagh has his shirt out now on account of
WhItthorne, OF Tennessee"
'Dd Vernon make that remark 10 voue"
NO. TO Arnold. After Mr.. Arnold made a re-
MARX renecting upon a prominent member OF
The major going on, said one lieutenant made
remark that members OF Congress called upon
mem toiook out for them and keep their names
quiet when they were sleeping Off drudks or
something 10 that effect
LIEUT.. ARNoLDS REMARK At THE MEETING.
Lieut.. Arnold he continued, remarked ne
could give dots on great many OF them. That
one, very prominent one, naming him. was
In the habit of visiting a house south of the
avenue twice a week. I said that is none OF our
business; though we might know these things
ofnciaily, We do not know them In any other
capacity. Then Capt. Vernon made the re-
mark about Murtagh. Then witness said again
that that was enough on that subject" He
old not remember any remark about black.
man. He did not hear or make any remark
about a house at the corner OF 10Th and u
streets.
The major said that after the interview with
tue commissioners he had consulted some of
MS iieuteuants To refresh his recollection as to
what had been said. When the lieutenants
came TO headquarters the next morning he
called attention To the charges against he de-
partment. He mad prepared "A letter, and asked
All those who could sign it, believing II to be the
truth, to do So and all OF them signed H. but
not at his solicitation.
THE LETTER OF THE MAJOR AND THE LIEU
TENANTS.
This letter, which was not put in evidence at
this point, was as follows:
November Sd, 1886.
Dear Sir: 1 answer at once your verbal request
for information whether any instructions had
been given to the lieutenants of police TO inves-
tlgate the private life or habits of any public
oHicer member of Congress-, or any other citi-
zen, Tor the purpose OF securing any iniorma-
ton detrimental TO them or 10 be used i'm any
way whatever There has been written
or verbal order, instruction. even a sugges.
ton given at any time that could possibly be
construed as above stated. On or about Octo-
Der lSt 1856, when receiving the daily reports.
several remarks were made respecting the esti-
mates of this department approved by the
honorable Commissioners and sent 10
made that the officers should do all i'm
their power TO win friends for the
department among members and senators
favorable 10 the District interests. Nothing
was said that could in any way reflect discredt
upon the members Of the police Iorce or upon
any member of Congress. No one was present
AT That conversation save the officers whose
names are appended hereto, aud nothing could
have transpired without their knowledge. or be
Known outside vi that room except through
them. Very respectfully,
Major and SupL NJ. r.
We concur fully in the above statement.
NJ. A. Austin, captain and inspector; John A.
Swindells, lieutenant, detective office; John f.
keny, lieutenant, sixth precinct; Jas. r. Bole-
Ter. lieutenant, fifth precinct: A. A. Greer, lieu
tenant, second precinct; ]. w. Gessiord, lieu
tenan eighth precinct; L. X. Vernon, lieuten-
third precinct; X. A. Arnold. Lieutenant, first
precinct; II. X. Redway, lieutenant, seventh
precinct.
GONE BEYOND A JOKE.
The major, continuing his testimony, said he
had told Lieut.. Arnold that Commissioner
,saAs
Arnold told Commissioner Webb that ne lAr.
noldl first heard OF the matter from Edelin,.
The next morning, said the major. Lieut.. Ar
mold said to him he thought he owed him tthe
major an apology tor letting this matter out.
He said he had spoken of IL in joke. The wit
ness said 1t had got tar beyond joke. Arnold
then said: 81 would give $4,000 IL this thing
had never occurred" The mayor said he told
Arnold that he was willing To leave out of the
charges he would have 10 make all that related
TO parties outside the police force. The iieuien-
ant told him thai he might reduce him tO the
ranks, or do anything he chose, II the matter
could be settled.
CAPT. AUSTIN WITNESS.
Capt. NJ. A Austin was then called as a wit
ness. He stated that at the conference in ques-
ton, after the major had congratulated them
upon the allowance OF their estimates, and re.
marked that those who had friends among
members Of Congress might influence them
one of the lieutenants remarked that members
of Congress did not care very much for the
police department; that officers had 10 render
them assistance instead Of receiving assistance.
Lieutenant mold, he thought, remarked that
he knew where some of them frequented; that
he knew where he could puC his hands on one
important member two or three nights
in a week. He thought there were other
remarks. Captain Vernon, he thought,
remarked that one man had got himself into
trouble and was now in almost destitute cir
cumstances for folio wing up a member of Con-
gress to ascertain his habits. The major, who
had been writing at his desk, then spoke up and
said: "Gentiemen, we want nothing OF this
kind. Ii we know these things, il Is best to
know them only officially. We want none OF
that kind of business" These were in substance
his words as the witness recalled them. He
knew oil no such instruction, order or suggestion
given by the major As tnat referred TO in the
charge.
The captain, on cross-examination, said that
SD far as he was concerned there was no un-
friendly feeling between himself and Lieut..
Arnold. The captain said that The majors su2-
ge>tion was simply that those who had friends
among members OF Congress, might give them
Intelligent e explanations uf the needs OF the de-
partment and use their influence with them
with the view OF bettering the condition OF the
department.
CONTINUED IN SECOND EDITIoN.)