The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-04-24
CHARGES RRHFERRED
Against a Member of the City
Police Force.
THE VERY LIVELY SESSION


The regular meeting Of the Board Of
Police aad Fire Commissioners last even.
ing was about the liyeliest session this
body has ever held, several interesting
topics coming up for consideration.
Among these the one in which the
public will probably take most interest
was the question of an increase Of the
police force by the addition of six mem
bers Of the regular force and two detec-
tives. When the matter came up Chief
Smith was present. Capt. Travis said
he was in favor of allowing the names
sent in by the Chief to remain upon the
table for the present. AS one reason for
this he referred to a set Of resolutions
passed by the Young Mems Democratic
Club last Friday night, upon motion OF
Attorney General Caldwell. These reso-
buttons read thus:
WHEREAS, II is manifestly demanded
by the public interests that the police
force ofthisCity should be increased; and
WHEREAS, It is alleged that the pres
ent Board OF Police and Fire. Commits
sioners, in violation OF their duty, are
striving to usurp the powers OF the City
Sergeant, under the cfty's charter, or to
coerce the Sergeant into allowing them
to dictate the nominations OF certain OF
the new police; therefore be it
Resolred, By this Club, that Col. ]. A.
Miller, the Democratic member Of such
Board, is hereby requested to insist upon
action upon the nominations OF new dep
uties made by the Sergeant, so that the
public may know the sentiments OF the
different members OF the Boardupon the
subject and determine the truth OF such
allegations.
ReSOlred, That, in the opinion OF this
Club, the action OF such Board is OF in
terest to the public, and should be taken
in public meeting.
Referring to them Captain Travis said
that he, for one member, could not be
bulldozed. In commenting on the
statement that the members were trying
to "coerce the Chief into allowing them
to dictate nominations" he said that
Capt. Smith had come to him and in
vited him to submit the names OF men
he would like to have on the police
force. This Capt. Smith emphatically
denied, but when Mr.. j. A. Miller in
sisted that it was true, and that the
Captain had extended the same invita-
ton to him, Smith said he might have
done so, but had forgotten it.
The matter was allowed to remain on
the table, and the names Of the new
police will not be sent into Council this
evening. ....
The Board resolved to recommend an
increase Of $40 per month-from sos to
S75-in the salary OF the deputy ser
geants.
Charges were preferred against Officer
John West. The story was that ON one
occasion he insulted Mr.. w. A. Isett
when that gentleman was standing on
Market street in front OF the Lincoln
club door, and that Mr.. Noah Beck had
called Officer Vests attention to what
he considered the fragrant violation of
the Sabbath at the saloon Of Frank
Healy, on Market street above Sixteenth,
and West had ignored it.
The Board ordered that West be shs-
pended for ten days, pending an investi-
tation.
An ISTELLIGENcER reporter met Off
Ger West after the Board adjourned, and
asked him what he had to say in refer
ence to the charges. He said when Mr..
Beck called his attention to Healy's sa-
loon, he went there and made an exam
ination Of the place, but it was closed,
apparently, and he saw no signs Of vio-
lation OF the Sunday law. In regard to
the incident Mr.. Isett complained Of, he
said Mr.. Isett and others were standing
on the sidewalk, in violation Of the law.
He asked them, in gentlemanly way,
to move on, and all did so but Mr.. Isett,
with whom he had some words. West
says he desires the investigation.
The Board ordered new hose wagon
for the Hope house, and five new Bah
cock fire extinguishers, one for each hose
reel.
The session was mostly with closed
doors, but the Board was unusually COM
after adjournment.