The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-11-01
ALLOWED TO RESIGN.
officer Sheehan Tells Why He
Was Disgruntled.
He Did Not Like Being Put With the
Awkward Squad-Commissioner
Desire to Be Lenient.

The police commissioners met in the mayors
Office yesterday afternoon, mainly for the pur-
pose OF investigating charges made By Chief
Rogers against Police Officer George Sheehan of
characterization and disrespectlui conduct to-
ward q So perior officer. The facts in the case
are that on October %, Sheehan, who had re-
Gently been relieved OF duty as jailer and put on
q beat, WAS at drill in the Armory, With q num-
Der OF others. Drllnaster Harding dismissed
all the men except eight, whom he formed into
an awkward squad, as they were not as pro-
fcient as the Others.
1t seems as if Sheehan who is an old officer,
has been iailer and otherwise received especial
notice on account OF meritorious service, was
mortified at being put on beat and then com
PEELED to obey the orders o. Harding, who is
comparatively young patrolman.
What took place was related by the witnesses,
who were, however, not put upon the stand in
the order of the narrative.
Drilmaster Harding related that among the
men that day were several who had no expert
ence and they drilled badly. They did not seem
to pay any attention; he had previously spoken
to Inspector Willard OF the bad effect it had on
those men advanced and asked if he had not
better give those who were backward setting
up" drill 81 called out eight OF them" he con-
tlnued, land among them was oheehan. | ex-
planned that had no antipathy to any OF them,
but had orders from Inspector Willard
TO divide the drill that way. Sheehan began
by declaring that If be had had the same
chances as the rest he would have been as good
as the best OF them. He got very abusive, and
there were several National Guard officers in
uniform looking on who laughed. This seemed
to make matters worse. Cne other men said
there was "a niger in the fence, and that this
would soon end l told them either TO get 10
drill or / would muster out. Sheehan used
some pretty rough language, but we went on
with the Grill Il lasted altogether three-quar-
tiers OF an hour"
"Why didn't you report them alp" asked
Commissioner Crawford. Don't you know that
wa insubordination?"
''Oh, thought al l had 10 do was to drill
them. When l got to headquarters l found
Sheehan had turned his tools in
Lieutenant G. A. Templeton was one OF the
officers who was drilling among those who were
released early. AS he was preparing 10 60, shee-
han was talking IN loud voice, saying he didn't
care d who heard him or what he said. He
was not a having to dill. Witness went away
Officer John Corbett coTrobUrated Lieutenant
Templeton, adding that atterward Sheehau
aQologized to Harding.
eheenGn returned 10 headquarters, but had
not recovered his good temper, and was talking
in a loud voice. Inspector willard testified that
he heard the commotion, and going out, asked
If sheehan "~'S any kick" Shechan replied
that he didnt ne way the drill going.
Willard told turn his tools in, star, re-
volver, etc, all. Chief Rogers afterward sus-
pended him.
Sheehan addressed the board, saying he hadn't
much to answer; he wanted TO say that he had
been given no opportunity to drill, or he could
have done as well as the others; he was hot
al being put in the awkward squad. When
he got TO headquarters he was still grumbling,
and Inspector Willard came out and jumped
on him like a tiger. Sheehan admitted that he
had his faults, but he had served under six
chiefs. and he asked TO be allowed to resign in
stead OF being dismissed from the force. He
had done his duty faithfully and hoped to
leave honorably. He thought this was small
matter to discharge him for
Chief Roger said Sheehan had taken it for
granted that he was singled out, but there was
no hardship in it. Whatever his opportunity
had been Sheehan must have taken
When drill was going on the drill
master was an officer in charge
The chief wanted not only obedience
to captains but respectful conduct toward fell
low officers. Sheehan had been a fairly good
officer, but was inclined TO be cranky and hot
headed. AS to the length of the drill he did not
think one hour week too much to ask from
men who only worked eight hours day
Commissioner Crawford said as Sheehau had
been so long on the force with so good record,
it would be graceful act to give him an oppor
tunity to resign.
Sheehan remarked that If they were going to
dismiss him he would like the privilege OF re-
signing; he didn't want any favors from any
man.
Alter a short discussion Mr.. Crawford moved
to postpone their finding until the 18th instant
Ex-Captain Kent put in a bill for balance of
salary Tor May and full salary for June, together
with expenses for telegraphing, etc. 1t was
laid on the table. The chief sugges ted
that II there was any money for Mr. Kent II be
turned into the relief fund.
Application by Officer l. Teller for full pay
during sickness was referred to the chief.
Chief Rogers recommended appointing Hiram
". Casweil and W. ". Price for patrol drivers
and A. c. Snow as hostler He also nominated
f. j. CrGndall and :. ;. Crawford as patrolmen in
place of r. Johnson and c. W. Dunton. They
were confirmed.
The board adjourned until 18th inst.