The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-11-07
And Had Excellent Reason
for His Anger.
CULPABLLE OFFICERS SHIELDED
But Kelly Insisted on Doing Bust
ness in That Way and Van
Keuren was Absent.


second was the refusal of Commissioner
Kelly to vote with him in favor OF ade-
quate punishment whereby several
aggravated cases of drunkenness and
violations OF the rules were condoned.
There were eighteen policemen up for
trial and against this number thirty-five
charges had been preferred. Affairs were
so bad that Superintendent Smish, in the
midst of the hearing of one of the police
men, jumped TO his feet and said that he
could not sit still! longer and allow men
wearing shields to go on the witness
stand, take an oath to tell the truth and
then deliberately perjure themselves.
Yesterdays meeting was&the first held
in two months, aud that in way par
TALLY accounts for the arraignment of so
many for trial.
Fire Commissioner Kern, Chief Con-
way, Justice O'Donnell, and several
Others prominent in politics. occupied
seats inside the railing when President
Feeney raped for order. The first police
man called was "Chris" Bruene, of the
Fir-t precinct. Bruene's offense was of
a trifiing nature, he having merely
neglected to turn in evidence in a case to
Headquarters He was fined one days
pay. The next man called was Edward
Harrigan. also of the First. Harrigan
could not be found on his post October
IL. To this charge lie pleaded gnilty.
On the following evening he did not
properly patrol his post, Roundsman
Flannelly being unable to find him.
Again his plea was guilty. The same
night he failed to lock the Washington
and Grand streets Park gates. To this
he pleaded guilty. On the following
evening ne was absent without leave.
He said his wife was too ill to be left
- l~~xAL L. I-I H.,
and to cap the climax he was caught by
Roundsman Flannelly coming out of u
hallway adjoining a saloon. Again he
said he was guilty. He got all the pun
ishment President Feeney could give
him. which was two days pay on each
charge, or ten days in all.
Patrolman Hunt was next summoned
for his disgraceful drunken fight and un-
provoked assault upon Policemen Mur-
ply and Quinn in the Fifth precinct sta
tion house October 2. His plea TO both
charges was guilty. When recalled for
sentence, President Feeney rose in his
seat and said:-
PRESIDENT FEENEY SPEAKS.
"Gentlemen, l want it understood by
one and all that will not tolerate drunk
enness in this department., and you," mo-
tioning toward Huut, ''bear in mind that
my vote was to remove you. but Commits
sioner Kelly dissents, and the case stands
as 1t is. would remove YOU, but can't.
You can CO."
Policeman Finiay was next summoned,
aud explained his absence from the sta
tion house by sudden attack of cramps,
which the President said was standby
epidemic for negligent policemen. Fin
lay was fined three days pay.
Patrolman James Mccormick was
caught coming from a saloon by Superin-
tendent Smith. He said that a gentle
man named McNulty had called him In
to ask him to Keep close watch on bis
house. He further said that he was asked
to drink but declined because he never
drank while in uniform.
1t was at this juno, ure that Superinten-
dent Smith jumped to his feet aud gave
utterance to the words above quoted.
"Thts man is deliberately perjuring
what he says is not true"
''Get off that stand" commanded Presi-
dent Feeney, and Mccormick more
sneakeG than walked to a seat at the rear
OF the room. Mccormick was adjudged
guilty, but escaped with a fine of ten days
much to the disgust of President Feeney.
Policeman Nicholas Tappen, of the
First precinct, feigned sickness Septem-
ber IL, and was subsequently found at
home drunk by Police Surgeon Nevin.
For this he was fined five days pay and
a similar punishment was given MIN on
each of two charges for being absent
without leave.
Chanceman John Byrnes of the First
Precinct was found drunk while on duty
by Superintendent Smith.
President Feeney voted to s'break"
him, but Commissioner Kelly dissented
and he went scot free.
Chanceman Fallon of the First precinct
was fined one days pay for not properly
palroling his post September ~.
SLEPT ON POST.
Patrolman James LevinS of the First
precint. while doing duty in Van Worst
Park, October 25, couldn't STAND the
warmth of the SUI. He became drowsy,
bundled himself up nicely and went to
sleep on bench.
President Feeney wanted to remove
him, but. Commissioner Kelly objected,
and he escapea with reprimand.
Chanceman Welsh failed to report for
duty and was fined one days pay. Ccto-
ber 2S, Policeman Lewis Fisher of the
Fourth precinct dropped his watch and
missed roll call. He was fined one day.
Patrolman McAnerney of the same pre-
cinct was also fined one days pay for alb
sence without permission, October 16
Patrolman McDevitt was next called, and
in answer to a charge of leaving polling
place on election day, told the truth.
which was that he went to get cup of
coffee, having been on duty for so long u
stretch that he was we'll nigh exhausted.
President Feeney commended him for
his CruJnIuluess. anu SeuoOuoo was Sus-
pended. Patrolman O'Rourke, Of the
Fourth precnct was next fined one
days pay for neglect of duty, and Patrol
man Ernst of the Fifth precinct was fined
five days on each OF two charges Tor
neglect of duty, Ernst spent three hours
hiding in bushes laying for suspicious
persons and failed to report.
Patrolman McKain, escaped punish
ment owing to the kindness of Comtnis-
sioner Kelly. He was found drunk while
on duty, September H. Patroimap
Terence Reilly, of the Fifth precinct.
was found so drunk while on duty that
he was put in eel to prevent his
falling out of the station house. His
scalp was also saved by Commissioner
Kelly. but President Feeney voted to re-
move both men.
Ebepizer Losey, q chapceman OF the
Seye ,th precinct, was fined one days pay
for not properly patroling his post. This
coneluded the afternoons work.
PENDERGAST'S SCRAPE.
Patrolnan Hugh Pendergast OF the
First precinct was charged Win oeing
DRINK and forcing Rn entrance TO e. Q
anartmeuts OF Mrs. Ellen Gerrity, scrub
woman employed at Police Headquarters
I'he woman did not appear and gne case
was laid over An opinion Is to be ASKED
of Corporation Counsel Edwards as TO
what punishment can be IMPOSED upon
witnesses and complainants Ia cases