The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1893-12-09

sult vi an lnVeStl2atlOu MADE
at the request of Mayor Wanser. The
Mayor had been informed that Officer John
Dougherty had misbehayed himself at the
polls on election day. and interfered with
a voter and that Officer Flanagan of the
Second p recinct refused to arrest an alleged
illegal voter when requested to do SO by a
citizen.
Captain Farrier of the First precinct in
quired into the case of Officer Dougherty,
and reports that there is no evidence what
ever to support a charge against him. He
merely assisted Officer Smith in the arrest of
two men who were fighting. All the eye
witnesses of the occurrence agree in their
statements to CAPTAIN Farrier that the officer
did nothing but his duty.
In the case of Officer Flanagan, Mr.. John
R~otherman, the gentleman who made the
complaint to Mayor Wanser, has been re-
quested several times to come to police head
quarters in order that his complaint might be
put in proper form, but up to the present
time he has failed to respond.
Subjoined please find the correspondence
between Mayor Wanser and myself on the
subject.
Very respectfully,
@. P. SMITH,
Superintendent of Police.
Mayors Office,
City Hall,
JERSEY Cry, Nov. 10, 1893.
Mr.. Christopher P. Smith, Superintendent
of Police:
Dear Sir beg to call your attention to
the conduct of two members of the Police
Department on Tuesday last election day.,
November z, 1898, Officer Flanagan (No.
220), when called upon to arrest an illegal
voter at the polling place mo. 439 Grove
street, OF the Fifth precinct of the Fifth dis
trict by John Rotherman of No. 200 Sixth
street, this city, refused to do so, and allowed
him to escape. Officer John Dougherty al
lowed a drunken and disorderly man to attack
Mr.. Harrison White at the polls, and arrested
the latter when he attempted to defend him
self.
D~ougherty's conduct at previous elections
has been OF such a character as to warrant
his dismissal from the department.
am sure that if you cause an investiga-
ton to be made in the two cases cited above
you will prefer charges against both men.
tlanagan's action was not only outrageous,
but criminal. | propose, as long as | am
Mayor, to keep the police out of politics as
much as | can. 1t does not matter what
party is in power the police must be free
agents to see that the law is maintained. l
must say that am pleased that the depart
ment, with the exceptions named, acted
much better IN Tuesday last than previously,
This is a move in the right direction, and
it will be perfected to a great extent by sum-
mary and severe action in the cases of the
two complained of.
Very respectfully,
PETER F. WANsER.
Mayor.
Police Department.
superintendent Office,
JERSEY CITY, November Is, 1898.
Hon. Peter F. Wanser, Mayor,
Dear Sir,-Your communication of the
10th inst. has been duly received and con-
tents noted. While no complaint against
the officers has been made to the proper
authority, viz, the Board of Police Com
missioners; still, as you request it, l will
make a searching investigation in both cases.
l cannot, of course, act exclusively on your
opinion, which seems to be based on ex
parte statements, that the officers are guilty,
but will hear both sides and then determine
what course to pursue. In the case of officer
Flanagan it will be necessary for Mr.. John
Rotherman, the complainant, to put his COM
plant in writing and make affidavit to it.
This is the course required by the rules of
the department.
In the case of Officer Dougherty I am free
to say thar would not feel justified in pre-
ferring charges on the affidavit of Harrison
White, much less on his unsupported state
ment. You are probably aware that Harri-
son White was dismissed from the depart
ment on very serious charges. While he
was a member of the department the late
Justice Stilsing never permitted him to be
sworn when he appeared against a prisoner.
l will make a thorough investigation, how
ever, Rnd if there is any testimony against
the officer from a reputable source l will
promptly prefer charges. No one can be
more anxious than I am to keep the police
department free from political influence or
to prevent the members of it from ~interfer-
ing in politics.
beg to call your attention to general
orders issued the day before election.
With great respect, / am,
Yours very truly.
c. P. SMITH,
Supt. of Police.
The Board then submitted report sentenc-
ing the officers that were tried at the meet
ing on November Is, as follows.
Adtioliuau jacob BERGMAN, lOunQ guilty
and sentenced to be fined one days pay.
Patrolman John Dougherty. found guilty
and sentenced to be fined one days pay.
Patrolman Michael Faherty, found guilty
of three charges and sentenced to be fined
one days pay of two first charges and FIVE
days pay on third charge.
Patrolman Thomas Cannon, found guilty
and sentenced to be fined one days pay.
Patrolman James Keilt, found guilty and
sentenced to be fined one days pay
Patrolman John Murphy, found guilty
and sentenced to be fined one days pay.
Patrolman Joseph Nevins, found guilty
and sentenced to be fined one days pay.
Patrolman John Smith. found guilty and
sentenced to be fined two days pay.
Patrolman Hugh P~endergast, found guilty
and sentenced to be fined one days pay.
Chanceman Jamas Fallon, found guilty
and sentenced to be fined one days pay,
Patrolman Thomas F. Dunegan, found
guilty and sentenced to be fined one days
pay.
Patrolman Frank NcGurk. found not
guilty and charge was dismissed.
Patrolman Charles Cornell, found guilty
and sentenced to be fined one days pay.
Patrolman William Connors, found guilty
and sentenced to be fined one days pay.
Patrolman William Hamburg, found guilty
and sentenced to be fined thirty DAYS a
Patrolman David Hennessy. found guilty
of two charges and fined one days pay on
aor1,