The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1890-01-16
GEO. DOUGLAS UNIFORM
Must He, Alone of All the
Detectives, Don One.
TRIALS BEFORE THE POLICE BOARD
A Policeman Who Amuses Him
self with a Pistol and Another
Who Likes ."Hearts."


charges had been preferred packed the
lobby of the Aldermanic Chamber in the
City Hall yesterday afternoon with a
solid mass of blue coats and brass but
tons
Many outsiders interested in the case of
Detective George Douglass and that of
Pendergast stood up in the aisle during
the progress of these two important
cases.
The Douglass case was represented by
counsel on both sides Ex-Mayor Collins
appeared in behalf of Douglass, and Cor
poration Counsel Edwards was on hand
to defend the Chiefs action in suspend
ing Douglass from the force for refusing
to don patrolman's uniform. Douglass
was not ON hand. A subpoena had been
issued but not served, inasmuch as
Douglass was not to be found by the
officer who was instructed to serve him.
His counsel desired an adjournment of
the case He could not explain the alb
sence of his client.
The Board insisted on the procedure
of the trial.
POINTS FOR DOUGLAS
Several points were raised by the ex-
Mayor, which have already been pub
lished in these columns. Briefly, in
effect, they are:-
1st. The rule providing that detectives
shall be subject to the rules and regula-
tions of the department.
2nd. And mainly, while the rules pre-
sf1,x Rr1.- = ol-s
sergeant and patrolmen, it did not pre-
scribe one for desectiye.
Douglas had been notified to appear
before the chief, argued his counsel, and
the inspector had given him an order on
tailor for a uniform, without specify
ing what kind, beyond the instruction TO
the tailor to duplicate previous order
A detective had no more right to don a
patrolman's uniform than that of the
CHER, the inspector or the sergeant, He
thought the Board would make serious
mistake to convict Douglas.
HIS DUTY TO OBEY.
Corporation Counsel Edwards urged
that one of the cardinal principles of
ours and that of all other city police de-
partments, was obedience on the part of
subordinates to their superiors. No disci-
pline could be maintained without this.
Douglas had been ordered to report for a
uniform. He had been derelict in the
duties of his Office. The rules prescribed
that detective should perform his duties
in citizens clothes, had been abolished.
and the Others were silent as to whether
a detective should or should not perform
his duties In citizens clothes Ifsevery-
man on the force was allowed to setup an
arbitrary standard of his ownas to what
were mis- obligations, the Board might as
well discard discipline. The suspended
detective probably forgot the duties in
cumbent upon police officer while sit
ting at the clerks desk in the First Dis
trict Court. The decision in this case. as
well as in all the other trials were re-
served, as the lateness of the hour pre-
vented all the cases being tried.
A POLICEMAN WITH A PISTOL.
Patrolman Pendergast, of the First pre-
cinct, who shot Patrick Hnnt in the leg
in Donnelly's saloon on Christmas eve,
was next placed on trial, charged with
unnecessary violence to prisoner.
Patrick Hunt was first called to testify.
Hunt told the story of the shooting sub
stantially as told in this paper. He was
inclined to be lenient toward the accused
patrolman, and admitted that the shoot
ing was accidental.
"Who told you to say that?n roared
President Feeney.
Hunt, in more or less confused state
of mind, stated that three shots were
fired by the patrolman while they were
meant TO fire when he drew the revolver
1t was the second shot that struck him.
Mitchell, the bartender, said he thought
the pistol, which was found on the floor,
had been thrown at Hunt after the latter
had been placed under arrest.
Captain Farrier said Hunt could not say
who shot him after he was brought to the
station house. Chief Murphy testified
that Pendergast was sober wnen he sus-
pended him.
PEARSON LYING IN THE CORNER.
Patrolman Wohlleben, who made the
arrest, said when he entered the saloon
after hearing the shots fired, Hunt had
Pendergast by the throat and was chok-
ing him. He saw man lying in the cor
ner and thought Hunt had shot him. The
man proved to be Detective Pearson,
whom Hunt had just knocked down. He
struck Hunt back of the head with his
club.
Il don't see how that poor man es-
capped, remarked President Feeney.
Patrolman Dawson, of the First pre-
cinct, who is known as q ''Corker'' among
his members of the force. next faced the
Board ON four charges, conduct subver-
sive of good order and discipline, disobe-
dience of orders. neglect of duty and not
properly patrolling his post. On the first
charge he pleaded guilty.
''sHAKE HANDsp'
Patrolman Bruem, who had been struck
by Dawson, said they had been skylark-
ing. He bore the patrolman no i'll will
''Shake hands" said President Feeny
as he dismissed the first charge.
Patrolman Finley was called to testify
in reference to the second charge The
patrolman walked across the chamber as
though he was walking tight-rope and
took seat in the witness chair as if he
was afraid some one would pull the chair
from under him.
"What's the matter with that man?'
asked Commissioner Benson.
Finley was hustled into private room
in company with DR.. Nevins. He told
the Commissioners he was i'll. The other
charges were proceeded with.
Patrolman Patrick Kane pleaded not
guilty to charges of neglect of duty and
violation of rules. His plea was sickness.
Patrolmen Niederwetter and Finley
pleaded guilty to the charges OF not prop
erly patrolling their posts President
Feeney warned them they would be dealt
severely with.
Patrolmen Gallery, Monahan and
Chancemen Stanley, Keilt, Levins and
Kane all pleaded guilty to violation of
rules.
CARD PLAYING POLICEMAN.
Patrolman Frank Krentzberg. of the
Third precinct, pleaded not guilty to the
charge of being off his post. Sergeant
Wade stated that he found the accused
patrolman at two O'clock in the morning
playing cards in Burns saloon with the
and that he was invited to
take part in the game; that the proprietor
of tha saloon sfterward followed him to