Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-12-15
HATTON WAS ONLY A VICTIM
The Charges Against Him
Were Persecution.
50 WILEY AND JESTER THINK
They Vote to Dismiss the
Accusations.
Mr.. Lawson Votes Otherwise, But Two
beat One and Hatton is Declared an
Innocent oificer--What the witnesses
Said.

The Board of Police Commissioners held
a meeting in the mayor office in the city
hall Monday evening, at which the charges
against City Detective George T.. Hatton,
of being drunk and disorderly in Annie
Wayne's house, No. 302 Tatnall street, on
Thanksgiving eve, were dismissed. Mayor
Wiley and Commissioner Jester voted to
dismiss the charges, while Mr.. lawson
voted to sustain them,
A lengthy statement of his whereabouts
on thanksgiving night was received from
Detective Hatton and read by Chief of
Police Francis. Detective Hatton was not
present at the investigation which might
more properly be termed whitewashing
Of the charges preferred against him.
Leonard Johnson, the first witness, testi-
fled to the fact that Detective Hatton had
attended the play at the Academy of Music
on Thanksgiving eve and that the show
was overat 1870 o'clock. He also testified
to seeing Hntt0n at the corner of Fourth
and jefferson streets at 1215 o'clock
either on Thanksgiving night or the night
pelore. Mr. johnson could not say what
night.
Annie Wayne testified that she was i'll
on Thanksgiving night and did not know
who entered the house. The girls had told
her that the man was Detective Hatton.
They said he was there after 1915 o'clock.
Thomas Bird, the colored night turnkey
~ tlc Clly ilall IeStllleu lDaJ lJeIectlYe
Hatton entered the police station at mid
night on Thanksgiving eve, remained
short while and then took his departure.
Officers Black and Rice both testified
that Hatton had met them either on
Thanksgiving eve or Thanksgiving night
at the corner of Fourth and Jefferson
streets. They could not tell what night it
was. The time was about 1.30 o'clock.
There was no evidence going to show that
the detective was elsewhere than at the
house mentioned between l and o'clock
Oh Thanksgiving eve.
The investigation was concluded about
o'clock, and the witnesses withdrew from
the mayors office.
Mayor Wiley said that the question az
to whether Hatton was in the house
Annie Wayne depended upon the testi
mOny of two women. Their stories he
said, differ. He could not believe that
HattOn could drink pint Of whisky iii
the house in so short a time. He said the
dirt of this case had exceeded his ex.
pectation.
After delivering a lengthy lecture before
the members Of the board, which resem
bled in many particulars a sermon, Mayor
Wiley offered this resolution, which was
adopted:
RcsOigej, That In all matters envolvine com
plants against any member Of the police
force, the same shall be privately examined
by the commission and all the evidence shall
be submitted with name in fun before charges
shall DO presented to the commission for full
record ana definite action.
The following officers were appointed to
the force: Howard Palmer John L. Ward
and John b. Simmons.
Police Officer Bernard j. McVey asked
for q rehearing of his case. He was given
until Monday next to prepare his defence.