Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1894-12-15
SICTlnd 1a1 0IreFll 80. 600. sis Trirnds


went to Police Commissioner Noorhis,
now police justice.
The conclusion of Captain Crecdcn's
testimony was followed by an impressive
pause. Then Mr.. Gof apologized for caus-
ing the captain the unpleasantness he had
experienced. Tears suffuscd Crccden's
eyes \ sympathetic tremor ran through
the audience.
And" continued Lr. GofT, lit 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 be
subservcd by disturbing YOU in your po-
sition rs police captain"
Then there was n burst of applause such
rs no man could stop. No hats werp
thrown in the air, nor were there ynlls of
triumph. 1t was the deep sympathy OF n
feeling throng burst from the trammels Of
suspense.
Captain Crccden arose. Hc looked
straight aheld. Tears filed his eyes, and
his face twitchcd with emotion. Then
each member of the committee and Coun-
sci Goff. Jerome and Moss shook his hand
warmly. There was another burst of mp
plausc. and Captain Crceden walked from
the courtroom crying.
Men trembling with pcnt up feelings
grnspcd his hand In sympathetic pity
President John =, Brophy said to him:
II desire To shake hands with you, sir
am proud of you rs an American citi-
zen.
Police Commissioners subp9naed.
Then John W. Rcppcnhagcn testified
that he handled the money lie was given
the money. and in turn he turned over
$40. 900 of it to Honest John Martin for
the benefit of Commissioner Voorhis. He
kept the remaining 81, 900 for himself. He
was the go between.
RcppcnhaGcn sworc that Noorhis lied il
he said he didn't get the money.
The audience laughed. The witness had
testified differently the day before.
Mr.. Golf said he had subpnnacd Martin
but word had come that that individual
was suffering with paralysis.
1t was during the afternoon session that
Mr.. Goff learned of Captain Crccdcn' 5 sus-
pension. The committee became excited
subpoena all the commissioners. - yell
cd senator Bradley. The subprnas were
issued.
lit looks as though the men who tell
tho truth arr to bc suspended by the police
board" said Senator O'Connor angrily.
lit is abominablc, was Chairman Lex
ow's verdict
Every one spoke at once Indignation
prevailed.
SubpCcnas wcrC ordered tn DO immcdi-
atCly served ON all the commissioners and
! Superintendent Byrncs and obtain their
testimony rs to why this course was adopt
| cd after the committee expressed the de-
| sire that Captain Crccdcn should not suf-
! fer.
We will give the commissioners little
material to answer questions OH" said
! Mr.. Gufr rCslStically.
: Half an hour later there was considcr,l-
/ bile cnmmotion in the courtroom, and u
hundred voices wcrc heard cxclaiming,
! Commissioner Martin"
! Commissioner Martin Takes Water.
/ Mr.. GufT said. Mr.. Martin. will You
/ take the stand"
Police Commissioner James J. Martin
was ut this time clbowing his way through
! the crowd. On reaching the stand he was
sworn. and then Mr. Goff commenced his
! inquiries ~ To the action nf the police
commissioners i'll suspCnding Captain
/ Cr,S',iCn
1t is rvpnrtcd in the afternoon papers,
! Mr. Martin" began MIR GufT. that your
/ board has, at meeting held today sus-
pCnGcd Captain Crccticn for the testimony
! he has given this morning before this com
mitt,r Is that So
! 49, Yes We held our weekly meeting to-
day, and about o'clock Superintendent
Byrncs reported tn us that Captain Cree
! Nltil lisih NfStilltN Nili~ your
committee that he had paid Sl3. 900 for
his appointment n police captain. The
superintendent also recommended that he
hc suspended. WraCtcd upon that recon
| incubation.
e 1t is only fair tu say that at that time
| the commissioners were not aware that
this committee had recommended that
Captain Crccdcn should not lose his posi-
ton At iAScscnt cannot do anything. as
am only an individual member of the
hazard and have no power to take any ac-
tiun ON my own responsibility.
| Well. the lcNow committee wcrc very
much surprised at the action nf your buar,l
and therefore have summoned you to come
herr and explain the action of your board -
That is my explanation, replied Com
missioner Martin.
There have bcCn several captains
charged llefnrr this committee with hay
ing accepted brihCS. Some Of them have
lN~n indicted Has any action Iccn taken
men suspended"
NO. such a 49, has only arisen with
ono man, and the charges against him ar
in preparation"
Mr. Forget Of the transatlantic steam
ship line testified tn paying $500 to Cap
tain %chmitthrgrr. Was any action al
this kind taken with r'gard tn HIM"
That is the casa To which | rrfcr. TIL,
police buard will probably m~'t tomorrow
and the question Of Captain Crrclcn's sus
pension will bc taken up
Though the charges against Captain
Schmittbcrgrr wcrc made un Nov. IL, h,
has not yet boon suspended. From tn
commencement of the sittings of this com
mittcc mp Ia the present time, notwith
standing grave charges made against pc
lice captains. not one of them has bee
suspended. Even though indictments hav
been found by the grand jury, no suspcn
sion has been made. Is not that true"
THAT il 81. -
Mr.. Goff then asked Mr.. Moss to rca
for the witness the expression of the con-
mittcc as to the course to be adopted
the commissioners with Captain Crceder
When Mr.. Moss had finished, Mr. Go
said:
Martin Promi-es to Restore Creetlen.
THAT Is the official expression of I'll
opinion of this committee. You are I'll
president of the police department in TIL
city, and / do not wish you to say AM
thing which you think you should ut
mention, but l wish to know whcthC
your board is inclined to disregard I'll
opinion of this committee"
Il shall bring the matter before III
meeting of the board tomorrow. said I'll
witness.
Chairman Icxow said he did not bclicN
the expression Of opinion they had mad
would be ignored by the police board.
, Commissioner Martini had no know
: edge of what this committee had decide
, on. l knew nothing of il, and l am Yer
much inclined to acccdc to your recon
\ mcndation. l desire that nothing sha
, he done to prevent any captain or oth'
: officer of the force from telling the truth,
II. -
that no official giving testimony hcl
will Ia intcrfcrcd with
Chairman Lcxow-That is very impo
. tant.
Commissioner Martin said no Office
a would be In any way intcrfcrcd with.