The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-09-25
THE FORMAL CHARGE.
Niggle Summoned to Show
Cause Against Removal.
AL BECAUSE OF eLAckcHAPgL.
Mayor Phelps Accuses Hin Of Trying 70
Remove Rogers Because Black
chapel Was CleseA-

The police commission trouble came 20
head yesterday afternoon when charges
were fled against Commissioner SigsIe by
Mayor Phelps, aud citation given 10 APP
Pear Friday morning. September 3. st
30 O'Clock. in the council chamber OF the
house OF delegates NJ the city nall. TO show
cause why he should not be removed from
the Office Of police commissioner. The
charges relate to the Blsekehspsl matter.
before touched upon In the columns of the
Posr-lsTErLsxscEn.a and in substance are
as follows.
appointment of John q. Niggie police
commissioner, he was and ever since has
been the agent, confidential clerk and
bookkeeper Of ]. r. Mcknight.
That Mcknight and John @. Siggle
himself have large personal and pscaniary
interests II that part OF the city bounded
by King. Weller. South Sixth and South
Seventh streets, in that either or both OF
them had acquired the right to the rents
accruiISg from the buildings in that sec
ton. and that they exercise the aforesaid
rights under lease or contract with the
owner. The greater portion of the build
ings on the premises were constructed for
the use Of prostitutes. and have no rensai
value tor any other purpose. aud within =
eupied By prostitutes and By such rental
and occupancy have returned a large rev.
enue To Mcknight and Niggie.
1T vas in the power of the police de-
partment, by permitting the occupancy OF
the premises for prostitution. 10 make the
property Q source of great revenue TO the
persons entitled 20 the rents therefrom.
John u. Siggle sought and obtained
the appointment to the Office of police
commissioner for the purpose of con-
trolling and directing the selection of .
chief of police who would permit the
crime OF prostitution 70 pass unmoiested,
and who would permit the premises men,
toned 10 be occupied by prostitutes, and
with the intent and for the purpose OF d.
recting and formulating the policy of the
police department.. so that the rental vaine
OF the property might be maintained
through the occupancy by prostitutes, to
the great pecuniary gain of John g. Niggle
and ]. r. Mcknight
Bolton Rogers was appointed chief of
police May "a, 1894. and after his appoint +
ment John q. Nlggle from time TO time
attempted to influence and direct the
chief of police and TO influence and direct
the policy of the police department in
reference to prostitution, TO the end
that the crime might be unrestricted
within the boundary of the premises occu-
pied and rented 20 prostitutes. to the great
personal gain Of John @. Siggle and ]. +.
Mcknight.
"In the latter part OF May of the pres
ent year 10 became the policy OF the police
department under the direction OF the
mayor 10 Suppress prostitution SO far rs
possible, aud TO cause the prostitutes then
in large numbers occupying the premises
previously mentioned to remove there
from. In accordance with this policy
great numbers of prostitutes were driven
out of the premises and from the city.
John q. Niggle from time TO time at
tempted TO interfere with and change the
administration as 10 the matters men,
toned. and sought to interfere with and
influence the chief OF police TO permit
prostitution to occupy the premises for
the personal gain of John @. Niggie and
j. K. Mcknight. Siggle, rs police COM
missioner, was especially solicitous for the
appointment of Bolton Rogers. the pres
emit chief of police. and continually from
March 70 TO May "a, 1894, urged upon
the mayor the appointment of Rogers.
Niggle. as police commissioner, was chiefly
instrumental in bringing about the APP
pointment OF Rogers. He advocated the
appointment before the police commits
sioners on the ground of the superior tit
ness and ability of Rogers to All the
position. and refused to support any other
person for the position. On September l.
1884, Jonn g. Niggle attempted to sum-
marily cause the removal of Chief OF
Police Rogers without cause and without
assigning any reason therefor.
"NiggIe sought the removal Of the chief
because he bad been unable to influences
the chief TO permit the practice of prosii-
tuition to remain unmosested and 70 per-
nit the pros sstutes 20 occupy the premises
before mentioned for the practice of the
aforesaid crime"
No action has been taken in reference TO
Commissioner Cheastv