The Portland daily press., 1894-12-04
Aldermen Vote That Two Officers
Must Go.
CITY CLERK READS TESTIMONY
FOR THREE HOURS.
Some of This Testimony Makes Mighty
Interesting Reading-Landlord johnson
Tells a Varied Story-Oficer Miles.Says


Tells Varied Story-Oficer MilessSays
johnson Had Threatened to Get Even,
The most Interesting city government
meeting of the year WAS held last evening.
As large an audience as the Council Cham
Der would hold had gathered to hear the
proceedings which were expected to take
place in connection with the removal OF the
| two police officers, John f. A. Norton and
Dana Fl. Miles.
All the members of the board of aldermen
were present. As soon as the records had
been disposed of Mayor Baxter arose and
announced that he had suspended, and
would also remove, subject to the approval
of the board, Police officers John f. A.
Norton and Dana H. Miles. Mayor Baxtsr
said that he did this Tor the good of the SER
vice.
AS soon as this announcem ent had been
made, Alderman Peters asked If it had not
been customary to give officers hearings in
such cases..
The Mayor-It is not necessary.
Alderman Randall move that the
Mayors act be sustained.
Alderman McGowan inquired it the
minutes of the investigation were to be
read.
Mayor Baxter replied that they would be
at the disposal of the board if the board so
wished.
Alderman MCGOWAN demanded that the
minutes of the investigation be read. He
did not feel that he could vote intell1gently
unless he could know what the Investlga-
tion showed. He thought the min
should be read at once.
The Mayor.-Do YOU make that as motion?
Mr.. McGowan-No Sir 90 not MAKE IL as
a motion. lnslst upon II as ' p"i' u 4A'
pIerogatlYe as aiuerihah'
Alderman Aehas inoihpsoh eaio 'n"' 10
was law governing such Cases. anu "sAo"
City Solicitor chapman 10 reau ,ne ia",
which MIR. Chapman oia. upon oeins asAeu
for his Interpretation OF II, Mr. Onapinan
said that theslnterpretation whicn ne pu'
upon it was as follows: ihas .Ae Aayoi' ioi
reasons satlfactory to hlmselI' may remose
police ofhcer, the alnerneh haVins .no
right to approve OF dlsapprove. Inc Id"
does not contemplate part OF the pro-
cedure hearing. TEe Mayor may remove
and the aldermen may then approve VI ho''
as they see fit.
Alderman Mc0oWan asAeu = 'no 'naso
might make public the minutes, and Mr..
Chapman repiieo tna1 he iniSns'
Alderman MCGOWAN then demanded of
the mayor tnat ne give ous 'no i -
the hearing.
Mr.. Baxter said that ne had no olsposi''oh
whatever to conceal anything; but thougnt
it proper to await the pleasure OF the ooaro :.
Alderman Thompson thereupon assured
MIR. MCGOWAN that no one hao any olsposl-
tion to suppress the evidence.
Alderman Dam said that he wished TO
hear the evidence, as ne eouio not act IN
telligently without.
The Mayor-Why won you haAe
motion TO that effect"
Alderman lam tneh iuate 'he inoeion'
and it was passed UNANIMOUSLY.
Alderman thompson then moveu tha1 the
testimony be read, beginning with that OF
George W. Johnson, proprietor Oh the st.
James hotel, on Free street.
Officer Dana IL. Miles was present, with
Judge Symonds as his counsel.
AS City CLERK Dyer began reading the
testimony given oeIore the pollee eolhniittee
by George W. Johnson, there Was much In
terest on the part Oh an present Inc ihos'
important portions OF that testimony are as
follows:
Q.-By Mayor baxter-What is your ousl-
ness!
A.-Keep the Hotel et. James on free
street.
Q.-By Mr.. Thompson-Dld Omcer Miles
make a seizure at your place some time
during the past summer Mr.. Johnson, In
connection with otner omcers!
A.-Yes, Sterling and Norton.
Q.-What was the nature OF the goods
that they took there?
A.-They took a box of Lithia beer; box
that had just come in.
Q.-Was that case brought before the
courts?
A.-No; yes. brought before the lower
court.
rQ.-Well, did Mr.. Miles, or any of the
oasoers make any proposition to You for
certain amount of money to see that that
matter was hushed up?
A.-Not that case, no.
Dwell was there any case in which the
officers had made seizure at your place
and had offered for certain sum OF money
TO hush it up?
A.-belore th@'' pio'u' ~ o''"'' 'iio