Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-06-16
Will HE Be WHITEWASHED?
Blackburn's Case Before the
Commissioners.
BROUGHT UP BY Mr.. LAWSON
Mayor Wiley Not Inclined to
Take Up the Case.
1t Was Not Alluded to Until Commits
sioner Lawson Brought 1t Forward
Mayor Wiley Wants to Wait for
Charges--Chief blackburn Denies the
Bank Book Signature.

The newspaper men were in the majority
at the meeting of the Police Commissioners
last evening week. This was in anti
cipation that the board would take some
action in regard TO the case of Chief of
Police Blackburn. A case in which the
public is extremely interested. There was
very little said and done in reference to
the matter, however. As soon as the board
had finished transacting what business
there was to transact Mayor Wiley said (:
"lf there is no objection the board will
will stand adjourned"
Here Mr.. Lawson after directing a few
words in conversation toward Mayor
Wiley, Strengthened himself up and said /:
MIR. Mayor, there have been reports in
the papers stating that a bank book bear
ing the name of WI. Blackburn had been
found in the possession of Il. I. stroud,
who was arrested for policy-backing / am
satisfied that the chief wants this matter
investigated and desires to vindicate him
self. With regard to the finding of the
book Chief Blackburn says it isn't his and
that he knows nothing about it, There is
only one thing We can do. That is, to see
the clerk who received the first deposit
and who saw the name signed when the
deposit was opened. He may be able to
identify the man who made the first de-
. posit"
Mayor Willey-"I am sure il is pretty
hard to investigate the matter when there
IS no proof. The burden of proof should
rest upon those that make charges As
the matter stands now it is a question of
veracity. The man who had the book in
MS possession refuses to say anything
about it. Just as soon as we have looked
INTO the matter and find anything tangible
am ready to investigate. Ii ANYBODY has
any charges TO make think it is his duty
to make them. II any responsible persons
make charges no one will be more anxious
TO investigate those charges than we.
trust II nybedy has any charges to make
or il anybody knows anything he will
communicate the fact to the board w.
will then act upon it,"
This was all that was done at the meet
ing OF the board regarding the matter last
evening week, and the reporters who were
present departed after the meeting of the
board with very little news for the public
touching the action of the board. During
the few minutes in which the board dis
cussed the matter Chief Blackburn was
not piled with any questions and he had
nothing whatever 10 say touching the
matter Commissioner Jester was moi
present at the meeting.
NO NEW DEVELOPMENTS.
There were no Developments at the Phila
delphia Savings Fund Society, yesterday
week, where the Nv j Black burn account
is kept, beyond those fully reported in
The GAZETTE. When Chief Blackburn
went to the bank and examined the nam,
on the signature book, "Wm j. Black
burn, police officer, Wilmington, Del, anC
Emily b., he said the signature was no
his. He admitted, however, that il bore
remarkable resemblance to his writing
and that Emily was the name of MI
wife. Chief Blackburn asked for tn,
clerk who attended to the opening of til,
account and saw the name placed on tn,
signature book, but this particular clerl
happened at the time TO be away on hi
vacation.
Chief Blackburn, on his return to vii
mington that night, was asked by re
porter OF the Ne,cs if he saw the 81 = .atur
on the book at the savings bank. II
~ did," replied the chief.
us it yours ~
mo sir ,ited
.You did not sign it them, is
"No, SIR shor
Does 1t look like you is u ,e'
Very much like it," poop
ut is well done, therrday
1T is very cleverly 1g me-
much ?" Letter
ut does. Not orview It, but it has N,
business correctlygood also nv wife
name correctly, not ugh we had bee
married but 81 thine then. The ma
who wrote that IN tlture must have bee
very familiar my affairs and wit
my signature"
You have no idea who wrote the sign,
ture ?"
None whatever. would give goc
DIT to know who wrote it there"