The morning call., 1892-03-13
WATSON'S INVESTIGATION.
The Police Court COmbed by the
Supervisors.
All the Judges, Clerks and Attaches Exam
ined-The Custom of Issuing Releases
thoroughly Ventilated

The comn,ittee-rooms Of the Board OF
Srnarvisors were the scene of great political
interest and activity all Friday afternoon
and Yesterday forenoon. 1t was the occa-
son of the investigation of Police Court
irrprularities. arising out of the newspaper
charges against Ambrose Watson. The
Finance Committee of the board constituted
the InQuisitoriai body. but they were aug
mented by the presence of nearly all the
other members OF the board.
1t would seem BY the number present that
all the attaches, habitues and frequenters
Of the Police Courts. and all who had ever
heard of such tribunal had been summoned
10 attend.
The exact charge against Watson is that
le issued an order of release for friend of
his named Brown before he had BEEN
arrested. Brown was to have been arrested
for having abetted doshght.
Judge Joachjmsen teSubeu that so lar as
lie knew Watson had always been capable
AID efficient officer
FxPolice Judge Lawler said that while
on Tie bench he never gave any person
discharge until bail had been provided;
he did not know that 1t was the custom OF
tile clerks.
Property Clerk Cullen and Captain Stone
each testified that he knew nothing against
Watson. Cullen said Watson was even
more prompt and regular IN his daily settle
mentS with the property Gepar tment than
the other clerks.
Sergeant Shields, who had arrested Brown,
said lie knew that for years 1t had been the
custom of persons about to be arrested to
apply for releases and procure them before
The service OF warrants. He had often
served warrants aud found the culprits
armed wiki release certifying that bail
had been furnished.
A B. Treadweil, Police Court attorney,
said it was the custom to issue those re-
leases in advance, and had been for twenty
wears or more. II not only prevailed in San
Francisco, but all over the State, and Lie be-
lieved it was sanctioned by law. de be-
lieved Watson 10 be an efficient officer, and
knew personally that he bad never signed
unY blank releases, OF issued any without
proper security
a Ruef declared the practice Of Issuing
releases before arrest a good one, and that
reputable citizens should not be deprived OF
the privileges granted by 1t. because 1t
saves many Such from the disgrace Of being
cast into prison and retained there nden-
Ex-Judge Homblower explained that the
laN permits the clerks TO pass upon the
qualifications OF lODdSmen OF less than
Sl000 and he thought 1t was a good rule be-
cause II relieved the Judges Of great deal
Of trouble The releases did not actually
release the CulpTlt, but were blank paper
until the warrant was served.
Watson. in his own behalf, related the
circumstances Of the charge against him.
Brown came To him ana told that warrant
YVES cut for him. He wanted to get q re-
lease. Watson locked up the law. and saw
that the bail for such CIfense was 500 bond
or $50 cash. He took the bOndsmen. one Of
whom is worth 15G00, and gave Brown q
release. Brown afterWard got into an alter
cation and was arrested FOR battery, and
when searched in the prison the release was
found on his person. Watson was sent for,
and put up SO cash bail for Brown to re-
lease him on the charge OF battery.
Ben Napthaly declared that he could buy
releases by the buShel at s. 90 apiece and
that they were kept on sale ID three saloons
Wien time was called yesterday forenoon,
however, he failed to materialize and the
sensation promised hattened out With dull
thud.
Judge Rix. the first witness called when
the investigation was resumed yesterday
forenoon, said he thought the practice of
issuing releases before arrests were made
irregular, but admitted that little harm
could come Of it, because a release is d
worthless document -prlor t9 arrest
lie Ee}al5leG ne Practice as great convent
Clce TO reputable citizens Nho might be
subject to arrest. When the facts of
Browns case we're related 10 him he de-
ciared the finding of a release on Browns
person after he had been arrested for bat
terry certainly disclosed an unlawful pro-
cedure An order Of discharge is intended
fer immediate delivery to the Chief OF
Police, aud no one else. He had never
heard Of blank releases being signed ana
distributed to outsiders
Chief Crowley said he knew nothing Of
the charges against Watson nor Of any GRIM
inal practice in any OF the p Olice Courts,
otherwise lie would have given the matter
his official attention. He expressed the be-
lief that - per cent Of the bonds accepted
in tie Police courts were straw bonds, an
evil that the officers of that court were re-
sponsible for. The remedy suggested was to
was 10 require every bondsman to make a
sworn statement Of his property and where
located. This would give the officers a
chance TO reach the bondsmen if perjury
had been committed. He thought the Police
Court clerks ought to be attached 10 the
County Clerks Office and the Prosecuting
Attorneys to tho District Attorneys office.
He thought as a remedy for the release evil
that a check wonld be provided if it were
always attached to the bond aud Teceipted
Tor by the Property Clerk
a. L. Barnett, Assistant Prosecuting At
toTney of Police Court 3, declared Nap
thaly's statement, that he carried releases
around In his pocket absolutely false.
he committee adjourned subject TO the
call Of the Chair