Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-08-11

this man? Isn't IL tomfoolery? We
are not babies. would discharge him
at once. He has had three chances, to
my knowledge. he has pledged him
self in the past, and what has he done?
He Is worse than ever. I'll appeal to
the chairman Of this committee IL I'm
not one OF the best friends
he had. appeal to all of
the Committee II that is not so. But
I'm here tonight to represent the peo-
pie OF Wheeling, and the people
demand his discharge. I'm not a boy
Pm 8 man. I have been his friend,
and I'm his friend still, but tell you
you ought to act, and ask Louis Del
brugge to come here and offer his resig-
nation and be done with IL. You gem
tlemen can do as you please, and the
public can judge.
Mr.. Jefferson-l'm afraid Of no one.
will only do what l think is right, and
II l err st all, it must be on the side of
mercy. am as deeply sensible that he
has done wrong as Mr.. O'Kane, but
why not give him chance?
Mr.. O'Kane.-He has had three
chances.
Mr.. Jefferson.-But not officially. II
we have him bound, and he is put on his
good behavior, we will have discharged
our duty to the people, and think a
large majority OF the people will ggree
with US.
Mr.. O'Kane.-I think not.
Mr.. Kline.-I think it is our duty to
give him another chance. He was cleo
ted by the people-they wanted him. 1
didn't know of this trouble until about
two weeks ago.
Mr.. O'Kane-I know-and you dare
not deny it-that he has been fire.
quenter Of bad houses and has been
drunk, and that his family has Suf-
fered. feel sorry to have to express
myself in this way, but feel consclen-
tiOusly in this matter. 1 believe we
ought to be firm. I can overlook a
slight fault as easy as any one. / have
said my say, and I will vote for it, re-
gardlesS Of everything. No doubt Lou
is Delbrugge will feel sore at what I
have said, but not more than it hurts
me. Look at his record. Why, he
dare not discharge man on his force,
through fear. Is that the sort Of man
we are to have? 1 hope the reporters
will put me on record in this matter.
The rest of you eau do as you please.
Mr.. ZarnitZ-Pm undecided. All l
know is what l have seen in the papers.
Mr.. Klein move that the Chief be
sent for.
This was adopted, and Clerk Fee was
sent to the police Office to request the
attendance Of the Chief, while buzz of
excitement ran around the crowd of in
tereSted people who filled the lobby Of
the Clerks office, and who were in plain
hearing OF all that had been said. In
about two minutes the Chief appeared,
and Chairman Happy said:
The committee have sent for you to
hear what you have TO say In this mat
! ter, and to demand a guarantee from
you.
Chief Delbrugge-I know that l have
erred, as many have done before me.
| I've made a mistake, and I'm sorry for
It. I have suffered more from it than
the city or any one else can-suffered
mentally, morally, and physically. l
am sorry, and throw myself on the
mercy Of the committee. If they will
forgive it, l will promise to behave my
self and never offend again. will take
an oath 10 that effect.
The Chair-The committee doesn't
ask you to take an oath, but they do
ask a guarantee-that you file your
resignation with this committee, TO be
acted upon at any time in the future,
should your conduct warrant 1t.
The Chief-I am willing to do what is
right, but l don't think they ought to
ask this. The committee would have
the same right in the future they have
now, and l am willing to abide by what
the committee may do. II they file
charges, l will act, but 1 don't think
they ought 10 ask my resignation. 1
don't think the committee would do
right to act, at q future time, on things
which are now alleged against me. am
willing to answer any questions, but
don't think you ought to ask resigna-
tion, to go into effect in six, or eight, or
ten months hence. II l don't do right,
you will have the same power in the
future that you have now.
Mr.. O'Kane-DO you propose to say
10 this committee that you are willing
to go into an investigation OF your con-
duct.
The Chief say nothing of the kind.
All / ask Is the leniency OF the commit
tee.
Mr.. Marsh can't see why the Cap
tain refuses TO sign an agreement, so
that II anything should occur in the fu-
ture, we would be in position to act.
The Chief will say that my oath is
as good as any agreement. l don't
think this committee, with all due re-
spect, ought to ask my resignation, to
be sprung on me in the future, throu gh
spite or hostility.
The Chalr-We don't intend to do
that.
The Chief do not accuse the COM
mittee. am only trying to guard
against anything like that.
Mr.. Jefferson This committee is
only trying to act leniently, and l don't
think they are deserving of your init
nation that they would spring your res
ignation. l think you will be just as
safe with your resignation in your hands
as without il. You understand the sit
uation, and so do we. You know your
duty TO the public, and we know ours.
1t looks to me as though something
definite and particular should be done
in the way Of letting you know that you
have done wrong. We think you ought
70 take this course, and am sorry that
you disagree with US.
Mr.. O'Kane-It would give the peo-
pie more confidence.
The Chief-I would be willing TO
sign any affidavit or paper except res
ignation.
The Chair-We only ask you TO sign
the paper for our future action,if neces-
earv