The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1894-06-30
OHARA ISREINSTAIED
Action by Council at a Special
Meeting.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE
The Case is Overlooked on the Promises
of the Lamp and Watch Committee That
the Rules VIII be Strictly Enforced
Hereafter.

A special meeting of the Borough Coun-
Gil was held last evening to consider the
case Of Chief of Police O'Hara, who was
suspended about two weeks ago pending
actionlon charges preferred against him.
The Councilmen present were Measrs.
Mcclure, Dougherty, Gafiigan, Hand,
Kerns, Gallagher, Kane, Gable, Stout and
Straughn.
After the chairman stated the object OF
the meeting Mr.. Dougherty, of the lamp
and watch committee, made q report on
| the investigation of the charges He
stated that the committee found that the
officer was under the influence of liquor
on the morning of the sth inst, after
reporting off duty, and tn the accused
had candidly acknowledged that he had
so indulged, although he claimed as a
mitigating circumstance that he had put
| in a hard nights work on the previous
| night and the liquor took more effect than
| il would under ordinary circumstances.
| The committee also reported that the
| officer was suspended pending the action
| of Council.
Mr.. Gafiigan moved that the report be
| accepted and the officer re-instated Mr..
kerns seconded the motion.
Mr. Gallagher said he was satisfied that
the officer should be re-instated, but he
| NlAl ilOl Lhllh ~ Ilkui luhI lUlS LnlnR
| should continues that Council should not
tolerate 1t any longer. The policemen are
elected to give something in return for
| their appointment and salaries. Mr.. Gal
| lagher added that all the officers have
been doing as they pleased and the first
| man caught hereafter should be dismissed
at once. He didn't believe in shielding a
man time and again.
Mr.. Gaffigan said he didn't propose TO
| shield anyone, but proposed to give the
| officer another chance and should any
| other charges be made he will not sustain
anyone who may be accused.
Mr.. Gallagher spoke again and said the
secret of the hard work of the police was
| that instead of doing their own duty they
attend to the constables duties and they
cannot work for two masters.
Mr.. Kane gave assurance that the lamp
and watch committee will hereafter in
| sist upon strict performance of duty by
all officers, regardless of who 1t may
| offend, and upon the close Of his remarks
| the motion to reinstate was carried.
subsequently Mr.. Gable said that he
did not think the action OF Council was
encouragement to a committee The
| charge had been investigated and found
correct, yet Council re-instated the officer
He also questioned whether the action of
Council was proper, as only two members
of Council had voted on the motion to re-
instate.
Chairman Mcclure said tuere certainly
ought to be more than two votes on sucn
a question.
Mr.. G fiigan then asked for roll call,
but the matter was dropped with the un'
derstanding that the Chief of Police
should be notified to resume his duties
tonight.
The lamp and watch committee was re-
quested to see that the police perform
more duty in the outskirts of the town
and the Chief attend to the central points.