Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-01-22
MURPHY Is A WINNER.
The Investigating Committee Fails to
Prove the Charges.
THE JOINT SESSION DEFEATED.
Declines to Prosecute for Lack
of Evidence.
OTHER DoINGS OF THE COUNCILMEN


! Elphinstone in his report gave as his opin-
ion that the charges we're not sustained, and
he could therefore not enter suit, with the
exception of one charge, that of receiv-
ing money for allowing boxing
matches to take place. But criminal
proceedings could not be entered,
owing to the statute of limitations. the
offense having taken place in 1884. The In
vestigating Committee, in its report, re-
quested that Chief Murphy be tried in
joint session of Councils, which was adopted
| by Common Council, but was knocked out
in the Select branch.
| On the call of the wards in the Common
branch the following papers were presented
and referred to the proper committees: A
| resolution exonerating John DeMuth from
taxes A, resolution compelling the Pitts
burg, Allegheny and Manchester Traction
Company to issue transfer tickets for the
use of passengers desiring to transfer from
the Rebecca street line to the Western ave-
nue. line at Pennsylvania and Beaver ave-
nues was passed.
The Strike Carried to Councils.
Frank Vincent, of D. A. 8, Z. of L., was
granted the privilege of the floor and made
a statement, the report of which will be
found elsewhere, in regard to the strike on
! the Pittsburg, Allegheny and Manchester
line. Mr.. Oliver submitted the report of
the special committee appointed to recon-
| mend site for the new postoffice building,
recommending the property at the north
west corner of Ohio and West Diamond
streets. 1t will cost nearly S200,00
The report of Superintendent Grubbs, of
the Department of Charities, showed that
the appropriation for the department was
about S12, 900 in excess of what would be re-
quired to run the department until March
l, and the Superintendent had assumed the
responsibility of wiping out debt with
81, ,104 of the surplus.
A discussion arose over the renting of
Carnegie Hall. Mr.. Armstrong offered
resolution granting the free use of the hall
Church for an entertainment. This
was ruled out of order. A similar resolution
exonerating Prof Parker from the payment
of the rent of the hall was referred
to the Finance Committee. A resolution in
structing the Chief of the Department of
Public Safety to advertise for supplies for
his department for the ensuing year was
passed.
Murphy Cannot BE sued.
City Solicitor Elphinstone then read his
report of the investigation of Chief
Murphy's case. He preferred no GRIM
inal charges against Chief Murphy, he
said, as he had yet to find member of
Councils who heard the testimony who be-
liev&d the charges were sustained. In re-
gard to the misappropriation of the license
fee received from H. o. Price ard the ex-. E.
tortion of money from prisoner said to
have been committed in 1884 and 1885, even
if they could be proven, they would be
barred from prosecution by the statute of
limitation. Continuing he says:
We were informed that the proprietor of
gambling house il December. 1890, had paid
tribute to Chief Murphy for the privilege of
conducting gambling house from January
to April l. 1891 The testimony of this wit
ness is entirely uncorroborated by any
ether person. do not regard the evidence
of the person from whom, in the latter part
of December. 1890, he rented the, premises
where the gambling was alleged to have
been conducted as in any sense or in any de-
gree corroborating the fact of the payment
OF m oney TO Chief Murphy.
Unworthy of Notice.
Another statement was made before the
committee to the effect that the proprietor
OF a "speakeasy" had paid Chief Murphy
500 to be released from the jail where he
had been committed by Mayor Wyman to
answer charges of illegal liquor selling. 1
find this charge unworthy of notice.
There was.also brought TO the attention of
the committee Il statement that q certain
person some years ago had paid Chief
Murphy money for the privilege OF exhibit
ing boxing contests. This individual was
requested by member OF the committee to
make statement ofthe matter, but he failed
so to do. For these reasons have brought
no criminal suits and hope that my action
will meet with the approval of your judg-
ment
The Investigating Committees report
was then read. Ii said the committee had |
been unable to compel witnesses to appear, !
and asked Councils to meet in joint session |
February to make an investigation. A !
resolution to this effect was carried.
A request from Select Council for a con-
ference committee on the matter of redivis- !
ion of the wards was granted, and Messrs. |
Knox, Gerwig and Buente were appointed. |
The action of Select Council in asking |
the Allegheny Heating Company to furnish !
the names of Councilmen and city officials |
who are being supplied with gas free was |
concurred in. The conference committee |
reported, recommending that Common |
Council recede their former action and |
now concur on the matter of the redivision |
of the wards. The report was adopted
Chairman Parke then read the Mayors |
message and the reports of several depart |
ments, as follows:
- The Condition of the City.
To the Select and Common Councils OF the CITY of
Allegheny;
GENTLEMEN-The organic law of our new |
city government makes it the duty of
the Mayor to communicate with the /!
City Councils at least once a year. In ac- !
cordance with said law 1 herewith present |
to your hon orable bodies my first annual |
message with accompanying documentary !
reports from the several departments |,
giving their operations in detail for |
the year ending December 81 1891. l |
also have the honor to submit the |
operations of the business done in this office |
from March l, 1891 until December 81, 1891 |
showing receipts from all sources, the mum.
ber OF arrets and disposition of same
During the past year our city has been
greatly blessed by the experimenting care
Of an all-wise Providence, who has ex-
empted us from extraordinary public calam.
ity. No riot has disturbed our order and
quiet, no great conflagratio has Consumed
the wealth of our citizens; the desolating
pestilence has not touched the homes
Waters o1 eur orePpoS@sa a0s aSer pge the
in destructive floods upon us. The records
OF the last year are sealed; we look hone |
fully forward TO all the progressive prob
abilities ofa new year. Peace, order and
supremacy of the law have maigined the
boundaries of one city and we have great
cause to be joyful and thankful Our
municipal affairs have been conducted bv
the various departments with energy |
economy and fidelity: Life and property
wel-drilled and effectively disciplined police
force, and crime greatly diminished The
reports of the chiefs of the several
departments show and indicate thorough
knowledge of the duties required of them, as
well as commendable desire to administer
the affairs of the city with honesty ard
fidelity, and they seem well qualified and
suited to their several positions occupied;