St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-10-24
AROSIN v0TS TO CONFIRM.
Chief Clark Calls Out the
% Facts in Each Case by
'tgo Questions.
USELESS MEN Topped OFF.
Assistant Attorney Markha m
Says They Draw Pay Till
Assembly Acts.

whom Mayor Smttn discharged from the
force ''for the good of the service" have
had hearing. They appeared last
night before the assembly committee OH
police and told their tales of woe. There
were six of them. They had all filed
protests against their removal, which
they declared was a gross injustice
inflicted upon them fol purely political
reasons, because they were appointed
by Mayor Wright. Chief Clark was
present. and as each man told his story
the chief called attention to occurrences
they seemed to have overlooked. and
refuted many of their statements.
The members OF the committee pres
Arosin and Reardon. Assemblyman
Lewis, the only remaining member, was
absent. After hearing the statements
of all the men, the committee adjourned
until Z o'clock this evening without
taking any action. They will formulate
report then aud submit it to the as
sembly, which will hold special meet
ing at 1880 p. III.
The Proceedings Were Spicy,
owing largely to the presence of Chief
Clark, whose estimate of their abilities
as policemen did not exactly agree
with their own opinions. This exasper-
ated them, and some CT them lost their
tempers. Even the sauve, polished.
modest Reardon was nettled into coils
tradicting the chief in the mild tones so
characteristic Of this Chesterfield of the
assembly.
The first protester who told his story
was Andrew Heryin. 1t might be said
in passing that those who followed him
sang about the same tune. His res
ignation had been requested last
June "for the good of the SERVICE"
No charges had been preferred against
him. He was simply an app0intee of
Mayor " right. The mayor asked him
to resign. He asked the reason, and
the mayor told him this was a new ad-
Ministration, and he would have to go.
He refused to resign, and the mayor
thereupOn dismissed him from the
service.
Chief Clark informed the committee
that Hervin was an incompetent po-
Iiceman, and then the next man was
called. He proved to be T. j. Palmer,
who was appointed by Mayor Wright
June "a, 1892. Palmer was detailed as
poundmastcr and attached to the CEN
trail station. He was discharged for
diSobeaience of orders.
1.-The chief told HE ON a Saturday."
said Palmer, ITO give up my star and
helmet. IrefuSed to do so, and was dis
missed from the force for dlSobedience
of ORDERS"
Chief Clark explained the case to the
committee: "This man did not attend
to his duties. ordered him to report
to me at the central station. bat he paid
10 attention to my orders. He would
fail to show up for three and four days
at time"
Palmer Disputed
the chiefs assertion, and declared that
Mayor Smith told him that he wanted
to put another man on in his place, but
he had refused to resign and was dis
missed.
Edward Lee was the third man who
tried to convince the committee that he
was unjustly discharged from the police
court. He was removed for the good of
tine service.
Said Mr.. Lee: 1.-THE chief asked me
for my resignation. He said he had no
charges against me, but added: we
can't keep YOU Mayor Smith talked
the same way. He said Mayor Wright
had discharged sixty men. and that l
would have to go. was appointed by
Wright i'll November. 1892"
"This man." said Chief Clark, "was
discharged because Capt. Hanft report
ed that he was mo good.'"
Capt. Hanft being present. in
formed the committee regarding MIR.
Lee. The captain said: "Mr. Lee was
in the habit Of loafing on corners.
gessiping with people, and going into
saloons. This was after had specially
ordered the officers not to do these
things"
He denied that he loafed, and assert
ed that he never talked with people ex-
cept to furnish them necessary infor-
nation.
ibid you ever arrest any criminal of
consequence? Why, people were con-
stantly being held up in front Of stores
and houses on your beat"
"Have you ever had any previous ex-
perience as policeman" inquired
Chairman Strouse. This question Mr..
Strouse put to every one of the six. and
only.one answered in the affirmative.
LeeJanswered, mo, SIR"
John Lindon was next called. Mr..
LiHdon was not present at the time,
rbut he came in later, and furnished the
Most Amusing Feature Of the Even
ing.
+ When Lindon's name was called
Chief Clark referred to Lindon's famous
coup d'etat, by which he captured an
alleged crook named Best or Beth. 1t
seems, according to Lindon, that q
COUPLE of men infested some woods on
his beat in East st. Paul, and whenever
they encountered a gentleman and lady
sauntering there they would threaten 10
arrest them for unbecoming conduct,
and generally succeed in shaking down"
the gentleman for all his coin, in
order to avoid disagreeable pub
licity. Lindon, who afterwards
told his story to the committee,
dressed boy friend of his in woman's
clothes, and went strolling through the
bOsky deIIs with the supposed female.
Sure enough the 'Otficers" appeared,
threatened to arrest tine couple, but
finally agreed to compromise for
son. Then Linden disclosed his
identity. and the men took
to their heels. One of them, named
Best, Linden said. picked up rock to
throw at him, whereupon he shot him
in the leg and arrested him. He failed
to convict him, however, as it was not
shown that Best had harmed or robbed
any one by the impersonation.
When the chief referred to the Incl.
dent he severely criticised Lindon for
this performance. which he character
lied as most reprehensible In a pOlice-
man. Thereupon eX-'atrolman Ahern,
vino was recently discharged by Mayor
Smith. and VINO was an Interested