The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1894-12-15
TREFB0A1S CONFESSIEY.
He Paid $4,000 for Els Appoint
ment as Police Captain,
HE'S SUSPENDED FROM THE FORCE.


suspsnding Crsodon Arousos the Ire of
tho Lexow Committes--Much sympathy
Expressed for the Dlsgraced OmcOr.
NEW YORK, Dec 15.-POlice Captain r.
j. Creedon confessed before the LexOw
committee yesterday that he had paid S15-
900 to secure his captaincy. A few hours
later he was suspended from the forco by
the board of police commissioners, on tho
recommendation Of superintendent of Po-
lice Byrnes, who was instructed TO pre-
pare charges against him. The Lexow
committee has agreed that Creedon should
be granted immunity from punishment
for his purchase Of captaincy, and when
the action of tho police commissioners be-
came known they, as well as Superinten
dent Byrnes, were subpHned to appear be-
fore the senate investigating body.
Captain Creedon's 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
TALLY interviewer with this sensational
expose affix the taint of dishonor and cor
ruption upon mon who have held some Of
the most responsible offices in the GIFT of
the community. But public censure is
not heaped on Creedon's head. He had
served in the local police department for
thirty years with honor and distinction
He is 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 is forgotten
by the popular mind in 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. Goffs 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 a straightforward though shamefaced
manner he told how he had risen from the
position Of patrolman to a sergeantcy;
how at last a captaincy was offered him
for money The expense of educating his
eight children had been very heavy and
he wanted the position of captain, with it's
increased emoluments But he had sub
mitted the matter to his friends. They
raised the money. The amount necessary
to secure the appointment was S15, 200, be-
cause Sergeant Wiegand had offered $l2-
600. His friends, Barney Rourke and John
| w. Reppenhagen, secured the money, os-
tensibly on his notes. He had paid the
money to eX-Assemblyman John j. Mar
tin. 1t was his understanding that the
funds went to Police Commissioner Voor-
his, now police justice
The conclusion of Captain Creedon's S
testimony was followed by an impressive
pause. Then Mr.. Goff apologize for caus.
ing the captain the unpleasantness he had
experienced. Tears suffused Creedon' S
eyes. A sympathetic tremor ran through
the audience
"And," continued Mr.. Golf, sit 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
subservod by disturbing you in your posi-
tion as police captain"
, Then there was a burst of applause such
as no man could stop. Captain Creedon
arose Tears filled his eyes, and his face
j twitched with emotion. Then each mem
Der of the committee and Counsels Goff
|
There was another burst of applause and
b Captain Creedon walked from the court
room crying Men trembling with pent
up feelings grasped his hand in sympa
thetic pity
Then John w. Reppenhagen testified
that he was given the money, and in turr
/; he at once turned over $4,000 of it tC
. "Honcst" John Martin for the benefit o.
i Commissioner Voorhis. He kept the re
naming 5000 for himself He was the
4 go-between. Reppenhagen sworo tha
Voorhis lied if he said he did not get the
Q money.
s 1t was during the afternoon session tha
i Mr.. Goif learned of Captain Creedon's sus
9 pension. The committee became excited
and subpmnas were at once issued for al
2 the commissioners.
! SIT looks as though the men who tel
/ the truth are to be suspended by the polio
8 board said Senator O'Connor angrily.
SIT is abominable," was Chairman Lex
Q owls verdict,
The subpoena servers soon performet
their work, and Commissioner Martin as
sumed the witness stand. He had no
known that the committee were desirou
of retaining Captain Creedon, or he woult
have done otherwise. He had voted 70
Creedon's suspension on the recommends
tion of Superintendent Byrnes. The com
missioner said he was desirous of working
in harmony with the committee in purify
ing the police department. He promises
he would do all in his power to restor
Captain Creedon.
Then there was more applause. 1t wa
increased by the appearance of Superin
tendent Byrnes. He said that Creedon'
~ 10 ca yuac diffprpnt from that Of Othpr ~
L cussed police captains. When Creedo
q was appointed he swore that he had pai
o no money to secure the appointment Tn
g superintendent had recommended the sus
pension because Of Creedon's perjury, an
because Ureedon had acknowledged hi
,e guilt before the committee. Mr.. ByrnC
]. also promised to do all in his power to ol
k tain Captain Creodon's restoration.
le The committees adjournment till Tue
y day only adds fuel for the anxious specl
= latiou which is bpinu iudul Q-sd in rs To III