The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-05-16
POLICE FAVORI7ISM.
Prosecuted By Roundsman Hop
kins, Policeman Leslie
Resigns.

terday afternoon. Allegations of persecu-
ton and favoritism exclusively foreshadowed
in H NEWS were made against Rounds
man Hopkins. The officer to make the al
legation was William Leslie of the First
precinct. From the testimony adduced in
the case it appeared that Roundsman Hop
kins had On one particular occasion gone out
Of his way to make charge against Leslie.
Another fact which aroused the indignation
of Commissioner Feeney and lead to a con-
frlnation of the belief that partisanship
prompted the attacks on Leslie, was that
Roundsman Hopkins is the only man who
has ever had occasion to make charges
against him and lastly that one set of
charges against Leslie had never been signed
by Captain Farrier until after the exclusive
announcement in THE NEWS that the men
were complaining against Hopkins severity.
There were three charges against Leslie and
all were made by Roundsman Hopkins. The
testimony of the latter was to the effect that
a man one morning informed Policeman
Devlin that the door OF MarsE's saloon at
Montgomery and Henderson streets was
open. The store happened to be on Leslie's
post. Roundsman Hopkins left the station
in charge of a policeman, tried the doors of
Marsh's and found them secure. The
roundsinan then instituted a search for
Leslie II alleged that he found him sitting
on q stoop IN Montgomery street talking to
Policeman Losey. He preferred charges
against both men.
QUESTIONED BY COMMISSIONER Y.
"Do you know the mans name who in
formed You that Marsh's was openP' de-
manded Commissioner Feaney.
Il do not was the reply.
why did you go looking for Leslie when
you found his doors all right2n
81 hadn't seen him on the lower end of his
post was the reply.
DC you usually go looking around to see
if the men are doing their duty when you
are on duty at the houset'
II do not replied the Roundsman.
How is it that these charges were not
made until a day or two ago when this
offence IS supposed to have been committed
weeks agosp
st was because l was SICK" interrupted
Captain Farrter. THE charges were on my
desk aud cou Id not be signed"
Then no charges would have been made
against this man if you hadn't recovered as
you dida' persisted Mr.. Feeney.
Captain Farrier looked worried and so did
the Koundsman. "Oh, yes,n finally broke in
the Captain. THE RoundsInan would nave
signed them if I hadn't. There is no personal
feeling in this matter"
II didn't ask you ANYTHING about that"
hotly replied Mr.. Feeney.
"You intimated that there was,'' the Cap
tain replied.
II minated nothing of the sort. What
questions | want you to answer, l will ask
you plainly, . said Mr.. Feeney.
President Abernethy was getting nervous,
and so were a number of republicans who
didn't like the stand Mr.. Feeney was taking
for the Democratic bluecoats.
Leslie was asked to plead to two additional
charges. He entered pleas of guilty.
You have made every charge against
this man that has ever been made, haven't
youF' demanded Mr.. Feeney Of Roundsnlan
Hopkins.
q have was the reply.
Mr.. Feeney then eross-questioned the
Roundsnan until they got into a Ilively con-
troversy.
II hope this controversy will Close" ex-
claimed President Abernethy.
Whom do you smean," demanded Mr..
Feeney, turning around quickly in his chair.
81 mean the officer. u said Mr.. Aberpethy.
HOPKINS THREAT.
Policeman Leslie caused somewhat of a
sensation by t~estifying that Roundsman
Hopkins not long ago said to him that he
would never forgive or forget him for going
against his (Hopkins0 testimony before the
board.
Leslie and Losey both denied the first charge
against them. but it was of no avail. Com
missioner Feeney did oil in his power to
prove the assertions that some of the men
were being prosecuted, but the Republican
majority gave the Democratic coppers hard,
doses to swallow. Leslie was fined ten days
pay and Losey four days. Policeman Coyne
was fined four days pay O two trihing
charges. Policemen Quinn, Fallon and
Crawford were fined five days pay and
Chanceman Sumansky three days pay.
LESLIE RESIGNS.
The upshot of the trouble between Rounds
man Hopkins and Policeman Leslie was that
the latter this morning severed mis- onnec-
ton with the department. He turned his
shield into Sergeant McGinness II left,
stating that he had no regrets at giving up
the police business.