The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-12-15
He Paid Sl5, 900 for His Appoint.
ment as Police Captain.
HEIssUspENDED FROM THE FORCE


for his purchase Of captaincy, and when
the action Of the police commissioners be-
came known they, as well as Superinten-
dent Byrnes, were subpnned to appear be-
fore the senate investigating body.
Captain Creedonis confession was the
biggest sensation yet brought forth by the
Lexow committee. In itself the captains
statement was merely a confirmation Of
testimony ELECTED before the senators on
Thursday, but the startling facts essen
italy interviewer with this sensational
expose affix the faint of dishonor and cor
ruption upon men who have held some of
the most responsible offices in the gift Of
the community. But public censure is
not hcaped on Creedon's. head. He had
served in the local police department. for
thirty years with honor and distinction.
Hell a war SCARED veteran, whose record
shows that in twenty three engagements
Of the civil war he risked his life for his
country. The captains fault Ii forgotten
by the popular mindin sympathy for his
present trying position and respect for his
past record.
Captain Creedon had said on the witness
stand on Thursday that he paid no money
for his captaincy. But yesterday, after
Captain Schmittberger who is under in
dictment, refused by advice of his coun-
sci, to answer Mr.. COTS questions, Cree
don was allowed an opportunity to tell the
truth, and he told it.
The witness spoke slowly, with down
cast eyes. He was moved by conflicting
emotions, and the sympathies of his audi
tors went out to the white haired veteran.
In straightforward though shamefaced
manner he told how he had risen from the
position of u patrolman to sergcantcy;
how Mt INST ~ pnntaipsy xyas offara1 him
for money. The expense of educating his
eight children had been very heavy, and
he wanted the position of captain, with its
increased emoluments But he had sub
mitted the matter to his friends. They
raised the money. The amount necessary
to secure the appointment was $4,000, be-
cause Sergeant Wiegand had offered Si2,-
600. His friends Barney Rourke and John
w. Reppenhagen, secured tho money os-
tensiby on his notes. He had paid the
money TO cx-Assemblyman John j. Mar
tin. It was his understanding that tho
funds went to Police Commissioner voor-
his, ROW police justice.
The conclusion of Captain Creedon's
testimony was followed by an impressive
pause. Then Mr.. Golf apolosized for caI1s.
ing the captain the unpleasantness he had
experienced. Tears suffused Creedon's
eyes. sympathetic tremor ran through
tho audience
"And," continued Mr.. Golf, cit is the
unanimous opinion of this committee that.
in view of the splendid services you have
rendered to your country and to the COM
munity, The public interests will not he
subserved by disturbing you in your POSI-
ticn pc p. ;:- lie c.:aptaiD,"
Then rntIe was II burst of applause such
as no man could stop. Captain Creedon
arose, Tears filed his eyes, and his face
twitchcd with emotion. Then each mem
Der of the committee and Counsels Golf,
Jerome and Moss shook his hand warmly.
There was another burst of applause, and 1
Captain Creedon walked from the court
room crying. Men trembling with pcnt
up feelings grasped his hand In sympa-
thetic pity.
Then John w. Rcppenhagen testified
that he was given the money, and in turn
he at once turned oyer $4,000 of it to
"Honest" John Martin for the benefit OF
Commissioner Voorhis. Ho Kept the re-
manning $1,000 for himself He was the
Reppenhagen swore that
Voorhs lied If he SAID he did not get the
IL was during the afternoon session that
Mr. Gotf learned of Captain Creedon's sus-
pension. The committee became excited.
and suhp@nas were at once issued for all
the commissioners.
1T looks MS though the men who tell
the truth are to be suspended by the police j,
board, /" SAID Senator 0'Connor angrily.
"lt is abominable," was Chairman Lex
ow's verdict,
Tho subpoena servers soon performed
their work, and Commissioner Martin as
sumed the witness stand He had not
known that the committees were DESTROYS
of retaining Captain Crecdon, or he would T
have done otherwise, He had voted for
Creodons suspension on the reeommenau.
ton of Superintendent Byrnes. The com
missioner said he was DESTROYS of working
IN harmony with tho committee in purify
ing the police department. He promised
he would do all in his power to restore
Captain Crcedon
Then there was more applause. 1t was
increased by tho appearance Of Snperfn-
tendent Byrnes. He said that Creedon's
case WINS different from that of other nc
cussed police captains. When Creedon
was appointed he swore that he had paid
no money to secure the appointment The
had recommended the sus
pension because Of Creedons perjury, and
because freedom had acknowledged his
guilt before the committee MIR. Byrnes
,ain Captain Croedons restoration.
The committees adjournment till Tues
lay only adds fuel for the anxious specu-
alton which is being indulged In as to tho
next step in this startling expose.
Police Justice Noorhis, who is totiny one
If the most talked of men in New York.
ienied in toto theallegations made against
iim before the senator's
Another feature of the day, which was
discussed on the streets, was
Mr.. COTS Invitation TO Richard Croker to
lppcht before the committee and deny tho
'larges made against him. Mr.. Goft said
hat, inasmueh as the testimony of Mr.,
dore.., the Rroeklyn tug owner. iuuli
ated Mr.: Crokeet. Constructive extortion
he latter was invited to take the witness
tand and make any explanation that he
night desire OF Norans allegations. Mr..
3roker did not respond. Il have nothing
o say tn this was the only reply Mr..
Croker made to all queries.
Washington Street Car Men strike.
w AsHINGToS, Dee. 15-The drivers and
onductors of the Metropolitan Street Car
Inc, whose wages were reduced on Thurs
ay, stopped their cars on + street one Of
he business thoronghfares of the city, Mt
o LOCI yesterday afternoon. Great crowds
adhered ali along the street, and one
river who did not intend to strike was
ustlel from his platform by the strikers.
superintendent Lowry, of the company,
nd other officials got the cars to the
over house, and no further attempt to
un them was naaa last evening As the
tsuit of IL conference with President Phil.
ps last night the strikers resumed work
his morning. The men VIII receive 81 rs
n twelve hours work, instead of 81 .G5 for
1irteen hours work. Men who work half
me will be paid at the same rate per
our. The men regard this as a victory.
The Pension appropriation Bill Passed,
WAsiISaToS Dec. I5,-The time of the
olse was consumed yesterday with the
ebate on the pension appropriation bill,
nd although it aboundPa I'm rhhrpas al