Morning journal and courier., 1894-03-14

No Reply Made to Rev. pr. smyth's
 Paper, Which Will Be Consldered
 at . Special Meeting of the Board
 Next Wednesday Evening-Omcer
 McKeon Reduced to Grade E-The
 CommissIoners Gould Not Agree
 on the Charges of Drunkenness.
 Hut Found Him Guilty of Conduct
 Unbeeoming an Ofacer-Other Busi-
 ness.
 The board of police commissioners were in ssssion for over three hours last night wrestling with the charges of drunken meas against Patrolman Hugh McKeon and the answer of Rev. Dr.. Smyth, president of the local Law and Order league, to the communication sent to him by the police commissioners at their previous meeting. All of this business was transacted in ex- eeutive session.
 pr. Smyth's reply was read in executive session and none of the members of the league were present. The paper, which ia printed in full on this page, was informal ly discussed and the members decided to hold special meeting next Wednesday night. when some action will be taken on the matter.
 The executive session finally adjourned at II 40 o'clock. The superintendent was instructed to issue an order excluding all persons not members of the department from the space behind the xailing in any of the four police precincts.
 Shortly after the meeting was called to order the trial of Patrolman Hugh Mckeon was begun. The charges against McKeon were for drunkenness on duty on March g about 3:30 p. m., when, it was charged, he was on the street in full uniform and under the influence of liquor. The charges were read to the officer who in entering his plea said CT am not guilty of being drunk but am guilty of having taken few drinks prior to going on duty"
 Patrolman McKeon in his own behalf stated that he was sorry that this thing oc- cured and if the board would only have lsnienoy with him this time it would never occur again. He said: II was sick for some time last December and since that time have not been well. On the day in question l felt worse than usual and thought that needed some stimulant, and during the day took three or four glasses of ale and porter. did not drink 8 drop of any thing while on duty, and at the time left the station to go to my beat was all right. Shortly after went out, about half an honr I think, felt sick and dizzy, but was not drunk"
 Sergeant Dunn testified to the facts in the case substantially as have been printed
 James D. Murray, who keeps grocery store at Putnam and Liberty streets, testi- fled that the officer came into his store on the afternoon In question under the influ. snce of liquor.
 In executive session the board voted to reduce McKson to the lowest grade in the department, that of grade E, which makei him 8 supernumerary. He was in grade 0. The board could not agree on the charged of drunkenness on duty, but found him guilty of conduct unbecoming an ofd' cer and reduced him.
 Joseph E. Kelly of 115 Oak street ap pesred before the board and made charges against Officer Oooney to the effect that Cooney had arrested him for drunkenness last December, but had rot allowed him te be tried in the city court on that charge. The complainant also said that he had beer upj ustly arrested, as he was member o. never tasted drop of liquor in his life He also eaid that Cooney even to the pres ent time speaks insultingly at and of hin and interfered with him at times. Kelly'i complaint was tabled for executive ssssior when the matter was referred to the super intendent to inquire ioto and report.
 The board decided to adopt a plan where by cats and dogs could be killed painlessl, by means of an air-tight box and gas This plan was decided upon by the board upon recommendation of the Society fo the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The board voted to allow Detective Refill, and Patrolman Cooper pay for the tw' days they were in Hartford ss witnesses 1, horse stealing case.
 Superintendent Smith brought up tht question of @ new wagon for the depart ment. He related the facts of the wsgo, breaking down during the Chinese rsi' and said that 1t would cost almost as mucl for repairs as for new wagon. He state' that new wagon could be procured fo about $150 by giving the old one in ex change, and recommended that this plal be adopted. The matter was referred t the committee on supplies with power t act, and the committee on finance was in structed to appear before the board o finance and ask for an appropriation O $200 with which to secure new wagon.