Evening journal., 1889-10-30
HE TOOK A REBATE.
HE POLICE COMMITTEE iNVssTt
GATES THE SANDWICH SCANDAL.
Chief swiggett Says He Received Money
From Landlord Pyle-nis Excuse for
Doing Wrong is "Precedent"--rhe
Mayor Pleads for Him.

FROM Landlord Pyle-nis Excuse for
Doing Wrong is "Precedent'--The
Mayor Pleads for Him.
A meeting of the Police Committee Of
the City Council was held last night in
the office of Mayor Harrington for the
purpose of investigating the charges
made against Chief of Police Swiggett by
Councilman Lawson. Messrs. Baugh,
Shea, White, Mccall and Sawdon Of the
committee were present. as were Judge
Ball. City Auditor Newell, Chief Swig-
gett, Special officer Weldon Councilmen
Roberts, Chambers, Lawson and Perkins
Mr. Sawdon presided. Mayor Har-
rington appeared as the champion Of
Chief Swiggett and used all the powers
of his persuasive oratory to clear his own
appoiatee Of the charge of getting a
rebate on the meals furnished the pris-
oners. The eloquent mayor said; "Gen.
tlemen, allow me TO again call your atten-
tion to Major Swiggett's reputation and
usefulness in this city. When l was
elected mayor, asked Major Swiggett to
come and help me. The Office OF chief OF
police was not sought by him. | would
like you to regard Major Swiggetts
reputation and usefulness in this com
munity. | could not imagine any
greater calamity If his public
services were condemned on account Of
4 his following a custom. ! imagine the
effect of such condemnation on the crimi.
nal classes. Every house of Ill repute
and all the gamblers would be laughing.
| will show you that this custom has been
going on for years. desire free open
session, and | think | can show that
Major Swiggett has been acting sincerely
all through this matter / hope you will
not iniure his reputation by report con
demning him. Major Swiggett will tell
you an open straight story. He will
make a statement and is willing to abide
by the report. The contract was tC
furnish meals to the prisoners al
Is cents a meal. Mr. Pyle under
took the contract at that price. He re
garded the contract at 10 cents as actua
cost. As had been the custom for year.
! and knowing that the chief had the emo
lument.and benefit Of that 5 cents, Mr.
Pyle voluntarily and unsolicited handed
him an abatement when the bills weri
paid. Chief Swiggett made the same aft
davit other chiefs have made before hin
aud he followed my instructions Mr.
Pyle instead Of coming here, could har,
b refused to do So But Mr.. Pyle said q
me IL want full and open investiga
!, tion.n
When Mayor Harrington had concludes
, his harangue, Mr.. Lawson, who frs
made the charges. was examined. H
declared that he had no desire toincrimi
nate Chief Swiggett; he merely wishe
g to End out the cost Of the feeding O
. the prisoners Mr.. Pyle, who furnishes
2 them, had told him that the cost wa
excessive, and his duty to his Consti
8 uents required that he start an invest
Y CATION. He also understood that whe
Mr. Pyle was paid by Chief Swiggett fo
the meals. he Immediately returned ha
of the amount to that officer.
Ie Mr. Baugh, for the committee. STATE
g that they had examined into the matt
ge and that they were ready TO report thl
is the report would make thirteen pages
: legal cap, however, and that they did NJ
have the authority to have it prepare
n at a cost Of g. Landlord Pyle, Of II
!" Clayton House, was sworn. He testift
n as follows: "Mr Swiggett came
)" and asked me If | would furnish tn
would do So BE gave me 70 understan
| lndl luC bIAIc nhAAu bN AZ HNA AANhAs =
~ said he wanted better food furnisht
A than the prisoners had been receiving
4 No bill OF fare was agreed upon, but
) told me to furnish as good food as con
y for 10 cents. In the absence of any III
. derstanding or consideration anything
received would be voluntary. l CO..
tinued to furnish as good food as when
commenced. There were one or tv
, complaints last summer, the major sen
. ing word that some of the meat was NJ
wholesome.
did you give any money TO Chi
Swiggett at his solicitation asks
4 Mayor Harrington.
"No, sir; on the contrary he b.
q shown reluctance in accepting anything
replied Mr.. Pyle.
It what was your agreement"
"To furnish as good food as ] could f
"a Is cents"
Mr. Pyle, upon further examinatio
stated that no definite plan of rebate W
agreed upon between Chief Swiggett al
r himself; that the sum he returned TO q
IF chief varied each month as the amou
Of the bill varied Mr.. Harrington sa
o at this point that the amount returns
II to his client was generally about hG
the face Of the bill
Chief Swiggett was then called al
4 after being sworn said: "When / W
= appointed chief of police and came in
Office l sought Mr. Loper, my predecessC
g. and asked him to give me what instru
er tions he could and this he kindly co
Se sented to do. He said he allowed
cents meal for prisoners and two mes
% per day. | went to Mr.. Pyle and he sa
II he would furnish good food. said tn
a. / wanted good food, and 10 cents W
agreed upon as the price per meal.
kept trace Of the matter and made col
$, plant twice that the food was not good
ie The chief declared that he had new
ne made an agreement with Mr.. Pyle co
cerning the division Of the check a
III that whatever money he had receiv
r had been voluntarily offered by the pi
D. prietOr of the Clayton House. Mr. La
son asked the witness If he felt justifi
l,a in doing wrong because his predecess
q, had done so.
~ ''No, sir, 1 never saw the law on {
90 matter, but was going on precedent, ]
piled the chief.
The chief declared that no one had be
es fed at the expense of the city exec
at prisoners and patients. City Solicit
IT. Turner made speech to the commits
It in which he declared that he thought
chief acted in good faith, and accordi
Id to instructions from Mr.. Loper. Aft
cb an address by Mayor Harrington the CO
re mittee adjourned.