The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-08-11


know it; there is a chief Of police in this
town, and his name is Delbrugge, and
he has been frequenter OF W
houses"
Mr.. Kline-''I have heard things like
that only in the last two months"
THE CHIEF CALLED Is.
Mr.. o'Kane-"If he were only guilty
Of slight fault, would give him an
other chance. But l know my duty,
and am going to vote that way re-
gardless OF anybody. / want the report
ers to put me on record. l am
in favor OF good government.
don't care II the mans Democrat
or Republican. That has nothing to
do with me-"
Mr.. Zarnitz-"I am little undecided
on this matter. | would like to hear
from the chief. ! know nothing but
what huye seen in the papers"
Mr.. Kline moved that the chief be
sent for, and the motion being adopted,
Clerk Fee went over into the police
Office and invited him in.
Chairman Happy addressed Captain
Delbrugge, saying that he was accused
OF doing things It is wrong for an officer
or n man to do" and that the commit
tee desired to know what he had TO say
on the subject.
Capt. Delbrugge controlled his emo
tons with difficulty, and spoke in
very low tone. He said he knew he
had done wrong; he had made u mis-
step, and was sorry for it. He con-
tinued: ~ have suffered more than
anybody knows; | have suffered more
than the city or anybody else could DOS
sibiy suffer. have suffered mentally,
physically and in every way. | throw
myself on the mercy OF this committee.
| would like to have q chance to show
you that can and will be man. am
willing to take an oath, or anything
else the committee may require"
Mr.. Happy-"it seems to be the sem
timent OF the committee that you
ought to sign resignation Of your Of
flee, TO be in the possession of tho COM
mittee, but not to be acted upon unless
you break your promise"
Capt. Delbrugge did not understand
the plan proposed; he thought written
agreement would be us Binding on him,
and give the committee US much power.
Much OF the few sentences he spoke
was not loud enough TO be heard by the
members.
An AGREEMENT REACHED.
Mr.. 0'Kane asked: "Do we then UNI
derstand that you are willing to 90 into
an investigation Of your conduct?"
Capt. Delbrugge-"I did not say SO.
Nothing was further from what | tried
to say. | only ask that the committee
be as lenient as it can"
Mr.. Jetierson-"C Captain, the commit
tee is disposed to act leniently. I-assure
you there is not member here but
would be above using your resignation
except upon good cause shown. We
have duty to perform to the public
and to you. II seems to me there ought
TO be something definite and particular,
to show to the public that we are OF the
opinion that you have been guilty Of
wrong, but that it is ouraim to help you
to do right"
Mr.. kline.-"If you act like man, rs
/ believe you intend to, the paper can
have no effect"
Captain Delbrugge was afraid the ex-
istence OF written resignation with
his signature would tempt enemies TO
trump up charges or invent pretexts for
calling il up.
MIR. JefTerson-"I assure you that no.
body will help you more willingly or
defend YOU more zealously than the
members OF this committee, SO long as
you do right"
Mr.. Happy-"I endorse that, and it
seems to me the people would then
have more faith in your real determine
ton to do right than if this is settled
any other way"
Sir. Marsll-"I look on it just that
way"
Mr. warneko also urged Capt. Del
brugge to agree to sign resignation,
and after second OF reflection the
chief said firmly,
II will"
TIE PAPERS SIGNED.
The chief withdrew, and the city
solicitor, who was attending meeting
Of the Electric Light Commission in the
gas office, was sent for to prepare the
resignation and agreement.
Mr.. O'Kane expressed his disapproval
Of the course things had taken with
great freedom, and finally put on his
hat, remarking, II don't want anything
further to do with this committed! and
started ont, but came back.
Mr.. Jefferson, while the solicitor was
writing, paid Chief Dclbrugge a high
on the way his office was
run. Said he:
"The only thing against Dclbruggc is
his personal misconduct. He manages
the affairs Of his office carefully and
we'll"
There was good deal OF. desultory
talk in the same line, and finally Sole
itor Riley read the resignation no had
as follows:
ITO The Committee on Police:
"GExrLEMES:-I do hereby tender my
resignation as City Sergeant OF the City
OF Wheeling"
The agreement to be signed by the
CHIEF was also read:
81 hereby pledge myself that il the
committee will postpone action on said
resignation there will be no repeti.
ton OF the alleged otTenses and that l
will perform the duties of the Office Of
City Sergeant in strict compliance with
law"
Capt. Delbrugge WIS again called in,
and the papers read to him. He pre-
ferred to have the two incorporated
-