Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-11-14
UNDER FIRE.
POLICE OFFICERS CUNNINGHAM AND
HARRIS ON TRIAL.
The Charges Against Them sn Hx-
animation Before the Police
Commissioners.

Cunningham and Warner Harris. City
Attorney Church conducted the inquiry on
behalf of the Commissioners, and Charlie.
T. Jones and E. c. Hart represented the
officers. The Police Commissioners-May
Gregory, Police Judge Buckley and Chief
of Police Lee-were all present, the former
presiding.
The Mayor explained the object of the
meeting to be an open inquiry into alleged
misconduct of the officers named.
Mr.. Jones asked if any written charges
had been preferred, and being answered by
the Clerk in the negative, said he presumed
that the inquiry would be made on the
basis of the charges published in the Bee
Mr.. Jones requested that all witnesses oe
placed under the rule, but did not propose
to be technical in the matter If he did
he would ask to have the officers tried
separately.
The first witness called by the prosecu-
ton was John Bailey. He said be knew
officers Cunningham and Harris. He said
he knew nothing of the alleged payment OF
$35 in September last to officer Harris 10
not arrest the witness. He was in his bed
on L street one night, when officers Harris
and Arlington came TO the place. Harris
entered his room and told him he wanted
to see him. Down stairs Harris said he
had orders from the Chief of Police to no.
tify witness and others to leave the city.
The witness asked for time to be allowed
to see the Chief, which was granted. Burns,
who keeps the saloon down stairs, told the
officers that witness was sick, and he was
allowed to return to his room. Witness de-
MED that he or anybody else gave the Off
Ger money to release him.
On his cross examination by Nj. Jones,
witness repeated his direct testimony, ex-
cept that be denied that he was dragged out
of bed by the officers, or was asked for
money. He did not see officer Harris
again until few weeks ago, when witness
assisted the officer in arresting a drunken
italian in an alley, where fight had been
in progress.
To Chief Lee witness admitted that he
did not 90 to see him, but it was because he
had the rheumatism very bad.
Mrs. Bailey, wife of the witness, testified
that she was present when the officers
called for her husband. She denied hav-
ing said TO Mrs. Donovan that it had cost
her $35 TO fix the matter, or that she had
paid any money to any officer. Witness
said she understood the nature of an oath,
and that she had sworn only to the truth.
Lizzie Belmont, stslwart and dusky
denizen of L street, was called. She denied
any knowledge of the alleged payment of
money by Mr.. Bailey TO the officers. All
she knew was something that Mrs. Bailey
had said about the matter. This alleged
conversation she was not permitted to re-
peat Witness said officer Harris had
always been rough toward her. About a
L-street saloon and said something to wit
ness about taking her down, and the latter
called his attention to a girl who was
dressed in mems clothes, and said there
was case for him. He arrested the girl
and took her away and was gone about ten
minutes when he returned and let her go,
saying he found he could not detain her
After the charges had been published
against the officers Cunningham came to
witness room and in rough language
threatened to "vag" her because of what
she had said about his releasing the girl,
Lou Morris.
To Mr.. Jones the witness repeated that
officer Cunningham had been rough toward
her, but she bad nothing against officer
Harris. She denied having said that officer
Cunningham said he had met lawyer on
the street when taking Lou Morris to the
jail, and was paid to let the girl go. She
knew nothing about the statement that the
officer met Lou Morris lover on the way
down, and that the latter paid him money
to release the girl.
Laura Ellison, another Darktown bru-
nette, said she had read the charges in the
Bee against officers Cunningham and Har-
lis, but so far as she knew they always
acted as gentlemen. She had never given
either of them any money, ard never heard
OF any women paying them money.
Mrs. Bailey was recalled, and said she
did not know Lizzie Belmont. and never
told her, nor anybody else, that she had
ever paid any money to keep her husband
from arrest.
Lizzie Belmont was recalled, and said
that Mrs. Bailey had told her that it had
cost S35 TO keep her husband out of jail,
and that she had paid IL TO officer Harris.
A week ago witness was in Bailey's house,
and a conversation ensued in regard 10 the
troubles of the Baileys, and Bailey spoke
of his arrest, but that he had squared it.
Witness remarked that if she had known
the police could be fixed by hush-money
she would have paid them TO keep her
imam Jackson out of trouble.
Madame" CASTOR, a young and good
looking French woman, wearing full
length, genuine seal-skin cloak, was next
IL
her out of town on the Friday following
the conviction of Louis Langlois for va
granoy. on the Sunday following the Of
ficer called again and told her that if she
would pay him $50 down and S25 month
thereafter she could stay without molesta-
ton. She told him to come the following
dsy and she would pay him some OF the
money. In the meantime she had been
advised bg friend not to pay him, as il
would only involve her in more trouble
When he called she told him she had con-
cluded not to pay him anything. She did
not believe the Chief had authorized him
to make any such offer, and intended to see
the Chief herself. Harris had not since
been at her house. The witness further
testified to certain things her girls had
told her regarding the conduct of officer
Harris toward them.
Mr.. Jones submitted the witness to q
rather rigid cross examination regarding
her business. She told how she had brought
two girls from the East, paying their pass
age and collecting money from them tc
recompense herself.
She was asked if her animosity against
officer Harris had not been aroused be-
cause he had been instrumental in having
Langlois convicted of yagrancy and driven
out OF the city, but she denied that such
was the case.
Mr.. Jones pressed the witness 10 tell the
name OF the alleged "iriend" who advised
her not to pay the officer, and she declined
to tell, but being told by the Board that she
must give the name, said it was CASTOR
1.-THE witness had previously testified thai
She did not know the name of the friend
and did not know whether he was {
Frenchman or otherwise.l
Witness denied that she had placed sew
ing machines in her front room for The
purpose of evading the law, in case sh,
should De arrested for keeping house o
ill-fsme.
To the Mayor she said she had changed
her mind shout paying money to Harri
because none of the other women paid any,
money to the officers, and she concluded
that there was no necessity for her doing SO
Marie Bouleu, one OF Madame CASTOR
boarders. was called ana testified to matter
concerning the money transaction aHuoe'
10 by Madame CASTOR. This witness san
she was in an adjoining room, and hear
what occurred between the Madame an'
Harris. Her story was about the same
that told by the last witness.
In answer to questions by Mr.. Jones, WI
ness said sue came here from Quebec MN
months ago with Madame CASTOR, Wit
loaned her the money TO pay her way
Witness paid her sums every week, an(