Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-02-10
AN OFFICIAL ORDEAL.
Inspector John McAleese Under AL
derman Cassidy's Fire.
A MAGISTRATES BAD AFFIDAVITS
Are Not Produced, as Witnesses Are Guar
anteed No Immunity.
ADJOURNED FOR A SHOWING OF HANDS

ADJOURNED FOR A SHOWING OF HANDS
The investigation demanded by Inspector
of Police John McAleese, of the charges
talked and published against him, was be-
| gun Yesterday afternoon. Two of the i'm
portant witnesses refused to bring out their
startling testimony. and the hearing was
adjourned until Wednesday next.
There was a large crowd of city officials
! present when the board took their seats.
The inspector had for counsel John Mar
ron. Esq, while w. D. Moore, Esq, repre-
sented DR.. Orr. City Attorney Moreland
| and Assistant Burleigh were there also to
represent no one in particular, but they took
an active part in the proceedings. John j.
Burke Chief Browns official stenographer,
took report Of the proceedings. Police
! Magistrate McKenna was also present and
administered the oath to the entire board.
Superintendent Gamble Weir, acting as
Chairman, stated that the official position of
Inspector McAleese was involved in this
investigation. Charges had been made and
Mr.. Moore-I want to know by what author
ity this board acts in this matter. Is there a
provision for it in the new city charter?
Mr.. Weir-This board is appointed by Mr..
Brown, Chief of the Department of Public
Safety, to inquire into these rumors or charges.
Mr.. Moore-Who makes the charges?
Mr., Weir here handed Mr.. Moore copy of
the charges; also the original demand of John
McAleese. Inspector, for investigation, and the
paper, signed by ]. o. Brown, appointing the
board.
Dr. Orr not being present, Sol Coulson was
called and testified to having served notice on
the doctor, a copy of which was offered in evil
dence The officer stated: 81 served that no.
tice, or a copy of it, on DIR. Orr on February 7,
at his residence. 143 Second avenue, in person.
also served one on Alderman Cassidy, whom
see is here" At this point DR.. Orr put in an
appearance. The doctor was called, and re-
fused to be sworn.
HIS REASONS SET FORTH.
Mr. Moore-I have prepared this paper,
which desire to submit to the committee in
substantiation of DR.. Orrs refusal to be
sworn:
To j. o. Brown, Esq, Department of Public
Safety:
1 have advised DIR. Orr not to appear before the
commission appointed by you to investigate
charges against Messrs. O'Mara and McAleese,
for these reasons:
First-Not having any judicial character or
authority, witnesses cannot be compelled to ap-
pear.
Second-That without compulsory process no
witness will appear, for fear of subsequent prose-
cution, and, as they believe and apprehend per-
secution.
Third-I suggest that if the parties charged
really desire to let the truth be known, an easy
and certain way is open to them by suit for libel
or sIander, as the case may be, brought against
very re'pe'WS5aiBy ". 3. MOORE.
Attorney for DIR. Orr.
Mr. Marron-I object to this paper. Our
prosecutors are here face to face with us, and1
wish to state here that the grounds of my OBJ
lection are: That the position he holds here is
one of private character, and when man
makes accusations against man he should be
compelled to prove them. and I wish to state
with reference to him that in accordance with
Justice and rules of evidence, we dare him to
prove anything, and we court this investigation
and desire it to be made in regular way, and,
as Mr.. Weir says, this investigation involves the
position of Mr. McAleese.
MIR. Weir-Dr. Orr, have you any objection to
bringing witnesses before this committee?
Dr. Orr-I wish to state that have not been
given sufficient time to secure witnesses in the
case. If am given an opportunity to secure
evidence. can then prove everything said.
What's the matter with O'Mara? Why don't
he come up?
Mr. Weir-The board is appointed to investi-
gate Mr.. McAleese; thev have no power to act
in Mr.. O'Mara's case. Chief Brown is ready
and willing to suspend any officer in his de-
partment if accusations are made, and is will
ing to investigate fully, and l think it is but
proper decency that those who have made
these charges should testify before this board.
Mr.. Moore-He (Orr) does not say he will not
testify. He wants the assurance that his wit
nesses whom he may produce will be granted
immunity, and shall not be prosecuted or perse-
cuted for attending before this board and CIV.
ing testimony, which, he is of belief will not be
granted.
ANOTHER VIEW OF 1T.
Mr. Moreland-Mr. Weir, what he asks you to
do is to prostitute your public duty in granting
immunity and shielding anyone who may testi-
fy in this case and afterward violate the law.
That you cannot do. l think if he should
furnish you with the names of these witnesses,
whom he may afterward produce. and give him
ample time to secure them, that it would be the
proper thing to do.
Dir, Orr-They have kept one of my witnesses
away from here by entering suit against her?
Mr.. Marron-Did MIR. McAleese keep her
away?
DR.. Orr-He has sued her.
Mr.. Marron-This woman is at large, and, if
she has any evidence against him, she should
come here out Of a spirit of revenge to testify
Mr.. Burleigh-Mr. Weir, the suggestion
made by Major Moreland. think, is eminently
proper.
agree to submit the names. and he replied that
he would consult his attorney and would report
to him his decision on Monday.
Alderman Cassidy was then sworn, and ex-
amined by Mr.. Moreland:
Q.| wish you would state whether or not
you gave information on which that speciica-
tion is charged Showing him copy of the
charges as preferred against Inspector Nc
Aleese)?
Q.-Have you any personal knowledge of the
matter on which these charges are made?
Q.-Yes, sir; have personal knowledge.
The specifications were here read to Alder
man Cassiday.
o.-Now, Mr.. Alderman, 1 ask you to state
whether you are in possession of actual knowl-
edge-personal knowledge-either directly or
indirectly, that John McAleese received from
any money or any valuable thing for the doing
or not doing of his police duty as police Of
ficer
Ayes. sir: have actual knowledge.
Q.-Personal knowledge?
Ayes, sir.
Q.-Now, wish you would state it,
Al will do no such thing, sir. refuse to
state the names of these people to this COM
mittee
ONLY IN AFFIDAvITs.
Q.-You say you have personal knowledge?
Al have had knowledge of the fact of them
in my possession.
Odd you, Mr.. Alderman, see John Nc
Aleese take money or any valuable thing from
any disorderly house, or from any inmate?
A-No sir, l never did.
Q.-Did he ever tell you he did so?
A.-No. sir.
Q.-Thc whole information you have is based
on the affidavits of other people?