Huntsville gazette., 1892-02-20
SURPRISED The SLEEPERS.
The Chief of Police Makes a
Big Haul,
A Wholesale Suspension of the
Force Of Night Policemen.

/
force were not attending to their duties
as guardians of the peace" as they
should, and to satisfy himself he played
detective Wednesday night and shadow
ed the officers in their rounds up to one
O'Clock when they reported and retired
into the engine house to enjoy nap.
Being thoroughly satisfied with his in
vestigations he had the entire force
pulled" the next morning for neglect of
duty.
| Thursday afternoon at four o'clock
two members of the police committee
met with Mayor Murphy in the city's
council chamber for the purpose of in
vtstigating orexamining into the charges.
! Alderman Hutchens, after Mayor Muir
ply called the session to order, stated
that the proper way for the grievance to
be considered was by the Mayor alone,
and Alderman Stegall, coincided with
him. And then if he desired further
investigation it should be done through
the police committee, who would then
report their examination to the Board
and recommend disposition, which
the council could act upon.
Mayor Murphy stated that such pro-
cedure was prescribed law, and be
would act in the matter, first giving the
members of the force, whom against
charges were pending, an opportunity to
make statement.
| Chief Davis arose and said that recent
ly complaints had been made to him,
charging the night force with neglect OF
duty, and that he had, after investigation,
found them in measure, to be true.
The Chief stated that few nights
since he placed himself in position to
ascertain how long the officers remained
at their headquarters, when they came
in to make reports to the night Chief af-
ter making their rounds, and he found
them upon. two occasions remaining
much longer than they should, and on
Wednesday night he went there two or
three times within an hour or two and
found them asleep.
After the Chief concluded his state
ments, an invitation was given the of
ficers under charges, to say what they
had in defense.
j. @. Bradley, Chief Of the night force
arose and said that the charges against
the force were true about them going to
sleep and remaining at the Engine House
! longer than they shouId-that they had
done so upon several occasions, but once
or twice this happened on account of
drenching rain outside. He further stat
ed, since his employment on the night
force he had been engaged some days
upon the work of notifying persons who
had not paid their street tax, and that
W ,rking major part of the day on this
work and at night as officer, he was
constantly In state of drowsiness and
fatigue and was consequently very sus-
ceptible to slumber.
Next, Mr.. Thomas w. Ward appeared
on the floor and he also admitted that the
night force had been taking maps when
they would meet at headquarters to re-
port. He stated he had called Chief
Davis attention to this fact some time
ago, and upon Wednesday night went to
the Chiefs residence to awake him so
that he could personally observe the in
diligence.
Mr.. William Mitchell reiterated what
was said by the former with reference to
the nocturnal mapping, and said that he
and Mr.. Ward had frequently spok n
about the way they were doing, but as
they were under Chief Bradley's instruc-
tions, he disliked to make "kick" or
suggest to his superior officer what
| should be done.
Mr.. John r. Fulgham added his tesi-
mouy to the charge that too much sleep
ing had been going on.
! The Mayor after hearing the charges
and statements, suspended the entire
night force until the next meeting of
the Board, which will be the first Tues
day of next month
He then instructed Chief Davis to en-
ploy men to officiate in their stead till the
matter was finally settled by the Board.
Chief of Police Davis has put Messrs
Lum Akard, Marian Raney and jim
Overton on the night force.
MIR. Chas. OReilly, of the day force, is
acting Chief of the night force.
We regret that our night officers have
such disregard for their duty, the per-
formance of which the city tax payers Of
Huntsville give them recompense, and
they certainly expect them to be vlgilant
in the discharge of the same.
Mayor Murphy stated that he had felt
prout Of the supposed efficiency of hi
night officers, and was greatly SURPRISED
to learn that the members were neglect
full of duty. Mercury.