Evening journal., 1892-06-22
IS BLACKBURN GUILTYP
The Police Commission Inves-
tigating the Matter.
MAYOR WILEY IN THE CHAIR


Levi c. Bird Represents the Chief and
Advises Him to Remain snent-Detec-
tives sIcyey aud witsiI, Under Oath,
Tell of Their Discoveries In the Case.
The case Of Chief Of Police William ].
Blackburn, who is charged with receiv-
ing hush money from Gambler f. T,
stroud by deposits in the Philadelphia
Savings Fund, was investigated by the
Police Commission yesterday In addi
tion 10 the witnesses present there were
all the Police Commissioners, Chief Black
burn. City Solicitor Curtis, Stenographer
Guyer and representatives Of the press.
Mayor Wiley presided.
At215 D. m Detective McVcy began
to testify before the commissioners. say
ing that he had been informed that
Stroud had called on Chief Blackburn to
obtain protection from the law.
The chief refused, but said
If some one would deposit money
to his credit IL would answer the
some purpose. Stroud went to Philadel-.
phia the next day TO start the account,
but the bank officials would not allow it
Stroud then returned to Wilmington and
the chief went himself to open the ac
count
The chief cautioned Stroud not to make
deposits so often, as they would "get on
to him. Stroud was then instructed to
deposit $2e every two weeks
On April q Stroud had deposited
$3.50, ON June he again deposited $40
The book was found on him when he was
arrested The detectives then
went TO Philadelphia and met
the chief there. After having
some words the chief remarked TO him:
Barney If that was you ] would not
have treated you that way / would
have called you aside and told you
about IT,
They again went to the bank when
McVey asked the cashier if he could
identify the man who signed the name
on that day. He said that he could not,
as there were fully 400 men in the bank
during the day
Detective Wilsil also heard the above
conversation between the chief and Nc
Vey You're still hunting me
down. see the chief remarked
as he met the detectives at
Seventh and Chestnut streets. The
nothing more than their duty. The
had lust come from the bank and the
cashier told him that he did not write
the signature. The detectives remarked
that the cashier had told them differ
emily. The detectives then went back
20 the bank and the cashier
denied that he had told the chief that he
did not write the signature
II is customary for us TO search a man
for evidence and then turn him over He
is not turned over to then if il is an inn
portant case. Stroud got bail immedia-
iely.
Il recognize that as Mr.. Blackburn's
signature. This top signature was taken
in the presence of the chief There is
some very slight difference, in the A
made by a blunt lead pencil.
Lawson-"Di you take warrants TO
compare the signature withy' ''Yes,
four
Lawson Wore these signatures taken
from the registorY'
Mayor Willey-"Yes.
City Solicitor Curtis-"Was Stroud
drunk on soberg' He had his sober
senses about him.
Chief Cross-Examinos Him.
Chief Of Police-"In regard to
the hesitation, did l hesitate i'm
/ the bank!' 80 much so
that the officer of the banl, said That
man had better make a clean breast of
itT "
did / hesitate after you said you were
acting under ordersg' yes in way
In regard TO handwriting, what did
/ you say2' You said that was your name.
Hou denied that you put it there
"Was the rest of the writing the
samef NO only your nome. The rest
was put ON by the clerk of the bank said
/ If it is not too long we will go together
20 the bank, and ii he makes the state.
ment to- as he made to me it viii be to
your advantage
Blackbun-"The president told me
no one could look at the signature
without my permission. told
them tho mayor would be there and
they had my permission TO show it to
him.
chief Refuses TO Testify.
When Mayor Wiley called upon Chief
of Police Blackburn TO make a statement
he said that, acting under the advice OF
his counsel, Levi C. Bird. he must de
cline to testify
Lawson-'I must say that / do not
think that ID is the proper thing foi
him TO do TO come ont here and question
witnesses and then not testify himself
Mayor Willey-''l don't object to that
and I don't think the witnesses do.
appreciate any kind of questions that
will give any information. | would like I,
have twice as many questions asked as
have been asked if it will give any
knowledge Mr.. McVev, do you know
whether the attorney general intends &c
proceed on this cascg 81 don't know
The deputy attorney general will moi
be home until next Monday l cant
speak for him.
The board then adjourned.
VIII bc Settled IN short Order.
After the session Mayor Wiley said
Just as soon as the stenographe
transcribes the evidence we will settle II
ia short order