The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-09-06
NIGGLE'S HEAD OFF.
Mayor Phelps Acts Vigorously
With Rogers Enemy.
A REoHoT MEETING FOLLOWS.
Renewed Attack On Chief Rogers Causes
Siggis's Removal and Demand
That Others Ressxn.

IToxxcKRs assertion that COMMISSIONERS
Siggle. ReIfe and Cheasty were united In
an attempt to remove Chief Rogers. From
beginning to end the meeting was repiets
with sensations and. although the ehiefs
enemies tried every trek and move a.
their disposal to carry out their inten-
lions, Mayor Phelps defeated them Com
missioner Niggle was removed from hls
Office, and 80 fierce was the fight that foi-
lowed that Mayor Phelps felt il necessary
TO call fer the resignation OF Commits
sioners Cheasty and Relfe. The former
fatty refused 10 resign. but the latter
took the matter under consideration.
Closely following these pyrotechnics came
the concerted action of the triumvirate TO
elect new chief in the person Of Capt.
Hogle The motion was declared out OF
order, but Cheasty arose and put IL HIM
self, voting with Relfe for Hogle's APP
pointment. Niggls insisted that he had a
right 10 vote. although removed from
Office. and joined Cheasty and Relic in the
vote for Capt. Hogie.
The plot 70 Dust Rogers was undoubtedly
carefully planned, for when the meeting
was called to order there were present
Commissioners Cheasty, Relic, Walling-
ford and his honor the mayor. After the
reading of the minutes of the previous
monthly meeting and the adjourned
meeting of last Saturday night when the
plot came to light. in walked Commits
sioner Niggle with his long ulster and
cigar. He carefully Invested himself OF
his outer garment and sat down between
cheasty and Relfe. Then the mayor said:
"Mr. NiggIe, would like to speak with
you q few moments in private If the other
commissioners will excuse US.
Niggle Whispered to Cheasty. and when
the latter nodded his head Mr.. Niggle
) arose and accompanied the mayor TO meet
Chief Rogers outside the room. After q
few minutes they returned and resumed
their seats. Niggle was cool as a cacum-
Der, and the mayor gave no signs Of worry.
The mayor then arose and said:
Gentlemen: / wish 10 state that have
removed Commissioner Nigglc from this
board aud will ME my reasons with the
clerk now for SO doing. Mr.. Niggle will
take no further action In the meeting of
the board. / have no hesitation now in
giving my reasons. have found Chief
Rogers an efficient officer. obedient. honest
and energetic, ana will sustain him. So
far as / know the extent OF the opposition
TO the present chief il emanates from the
very sources that make IL necessary for US
20 have q police force. While Chief Rogers
performs his duties he shall have my sup
support. do not think need say more"
The Mayor handed some documents to
Clerk Winchell, and Relfe Immediately
asked for the reading of the notice of
Niggle's removal. and Winchell read the
letter of removal signed by the mayor.
dated September s, 1894 and addressed to
Niggle, as follows:
lyon are hereby removed from office as
a member of the board of police commits
sioners of the city of Seattle, for cause.
MY reasons for making this removal
are that have good and sufficient reason
to believe that you have attempted to
dissuade and prevent the chief of police
from executing mis- sworn duty, in that
you have attempted TO dissuade him from
and prevent and hinder him in his efforts
20 suppress prostitution in certain por-
lions OF the city of Seattle, wherein you
are personally interested in seeing il re-
main unmolested. and that. in conse-
quence of your failure 10 SO prevent and
dissuade the chief OF police from the per-
Torrance of his sworn duty. you have
threatened and conspired 10 have him re-
moved from his office as chief of police"
The clerk then read the following record
of the findings and judgments in the case;
"In the matter of the removal of John
G.. Niggle from the office of police commits
sioner. Findings and Judgment:
AFTER an investigation OF the causes set
forth in the letter of removal addressed to
John G. Niggie. police commissioner, and
being sufficiently advised of the facts
therein stated, find the same to be true
and that the facts stated are sufficient in
my Judgment TO warrant the removal OF
the said John q. Niggle from the office of
police commissioner.
il nd ad al
that John q. Niggle tie and is hereby re-
moved from the offies OF police commits
sioner OF the city OF Seattle, and the CLERK
of the board of police commissioners is
hereby ordered TO enter the findings aud
judgment upon the record of the board.
BYRON Phelps, Mayor"
Seattle, Sept 8, 1884"
Cheasty asked If the action of the mayor
constituted removal or implied an investi-
cation.
Mayor Phelps said:
IAN absolute removal. My findings and
Judgment are recorded with the clerk. I
do not want il understood there is any
thing personal in this matter. | am doing
this for the good of the city and the police
department"
on recommendation Of Cheasty the sec
rotary noted in the minutes that Nigs.e
was present a: the meeting. although IL
was understood that he came in after the
roll call.
CheAsty told the mayor he believed he
had exceeded his authority, and after stat
ing that be was opposed 20 Rogers moved
10 dismiss him.
Relfe then stated that at one time he
had refused 10 consider the subject of re-
moving women from south of Jackson
street. as he considered IL private mat
ter. lie had nothing against Rogers per-
sonslly. but he believed the public wansea
a change. and he had come to the conclu-
SION he would vote for Chief Rogers re-
moyal. He thought IL was grave ques-
ton for the mayor 10 assume n AT he had
power 10 retain Chief Rogers against the
wish Of the majority Of the board. and said
al do not think the mayor has got that
power because it would give him power TO
remove = man for matter Of difference
Of opinion. / am sorry 10 be in conflict
with the mayor. pat II these charges
against NigEle are made simply 70 hold
ME. Rogers in power | wsnt she question
Of authority settled and shall second the
motion. / am sorry this friction has come
np. II there Is change OF chief shall
eow 10 the wishes Of the mayor in select
IND man from hls party"
The mayor ihen said:
1t has been moved and seconded III AZ
Chief Rogers be removed from o.sca. of
course these matters are Important and I
aun wiling 10 have them discussed "a
calmly and dlsnassionatelv settled. | have
acted slosly In my sppoia tnents and here
! Ssh 10 say shat With respect 70 ghief
Rogers Ar. Niggle was enc OF the flrsg 10
press BIS appointment. claiming that Mr.
Rogers Vas tue best eaist the city
ever had. / thought, and stu tnink
"a