Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-10-10
THEY cHEERED
Policeman Dessnn Who Dared 10 Tell the
Truth ReireshingIy.

fOlGniitte, tcuay. fGIiCsmau besdpH Seo'A
fed lie was IL years ON duty at tn
Preach pier.
THE French Steam.hip Company" sal
he, ";hought was useful TO them on th'
wharf" Wi.uess said he got 81 weekly
from Mr.. West, b.superintendent OF thu
company, ard Afterwards got $40 week..
for going on the wharf Sunday VIII "a b
was not on duty. lie was removed from
the winarf Jan s, 1891, Capt. Schmittber'
ger taking charge of the steamboat squa IL
Dec mber, 1890.
"Why were you removed!' asked Mr.
Golf.
"A short time after Capt. Schmittbt rgei
took charge Wsrlman Vail came to me and
sal the captain wanted the other 20 a
week; had pr, viously given up 50.
told the wardman would not give up the
otter So and said would not be slave for
any man"
Witness sal he was removed to Canal
boat pier by Capt. Schmittberger. 1.-The
csptsin said that was the proper place for
me-" said the witness.
"To whom did the money go!"
Il dont know; men on the force thought
it went to the captain. Capt. Schmlttber-
ger was the first captain who wanted all the
money
At the conclusion of til, witness test
mopy, Mr. Golf said alt is refreshing
thing to see a police man not AFRAID to tell
the truth, ami think the attention OF the
committee should be called to his testi-
mony."
Senator Pound complimented Policeman
Degann. When the alter left the witness
stand there WAS great outourst OF cheer
ing. Chas G. West, wharf superintend-
ent of the French S. S. Co., corroborated
Policeman Degann's story in every par,ic-
ular. He obj -cted to Dcg'nn'. removal,
but it did no good. -,
s'Do you know whether the company paid
any money after Degsnn left?'
"Oh heard rumors about all the steam
ship companies but witness said he knew
nothing of $500 payment which appeared
in the books and that he paid no officer
afler DegaDn left.
Witness told how Wardmsn Cannon
clme around after Degann left and asked
for money. 81 told him would give the
money if he signed receipt
did Cannon say to whom the money
was to go:"
ale said the captain was to get it,
"Who WAS the captan?' asked Chairman
Lexow.
"Schmittberger."
"Have on any knowledge of tie pay
ment Of :Sj0O?"
"No sir, it did not pass through my
hands"
Witness aid it was common rumor that
all steamship companies made up purse
for Capt. Schm.tberger.
Ex-Aldermeu VIM. H. Sc,ott, passenger
agent for the French line, said lie heard
the steamship companies paid the police
money.
"Do you know anything about this item,
of $50O?' asked Mr.. Golf.
''No SIR
Mr.. Forget was again called to the
stand.
elias your memory been refreshed, Mr..
Forget" asked Mr.. Golf.
'.No sir"
"'Then YOU forget all about that S500t
Eyes SIR
Angustin Forget is the superintendent CT
the French Steamship Company, and tes'
tifed, in the forenoon, that the company
had paid $40 week tribute to police.
Mr.. Forget couldn't recall what the com,
mittee wanted to know.
Mr.. Golf tried to jog Mr., Forgets mem
ory as to the seven persons who got the
money. but witness could no. remember
names. Mr.. Golf asked witness if he wouiI
cable right away to the French Steamship
Company ia France, asking for copy OF
the letter explaining the pay mt of the
$500
Witness said he would write, but coul'
not cable.
81 ask you, finally, if yon csn, on your
conscience, swear you did not know It
whom that $500 was given"
II won't swear, but Mr.. Golf"
"Thst will do, Me-. Forget, will extu {
you for today, and ask you 10 come to
morrow when you have had good night
rest"
Policeman john Corcoran took the stand
He is feet, inch in height.
"Where is the rest of that cluo!' askt'
Mr.. Golf exhibiting about three inches OF
policeman's broken club.
II lett it at home, was the reply.
GLOW did you break it?'
The officer explained that he was bring
ing a drunken prisoner to the station hous
and struck the railing with his club az
broke it.
Mr.. Golf produced the prisoner who wa
cut a bruised. He was Il little man aoou
five feet in height. lie presehteu iuu
crous picture as he stood by the eide OF tn
big policeman. !,
''Dd not you break that club on bl
head?'
"On my solemn oath did not strik
him."
Peter Edw ard Quinn. the prisoner, test
fed that he WAS arrested by Policemen Coz
coran, but was not sure about being hit !
the club on the head.
"How did You get the wounds on you
face?"
"Iwas punched by officer Corcoran
the station house"
"Why d. he punch ycu?"
al wac saying something when he to'
me to shut up. and punched me-"
James Clifford testified that he We
arrested last Saturday night 81 hear
people hollering," said he, Sin the stree
and went to the place where the sound cam
from. saw four policemen dragging Quin
along the street beating him. said IT wa
a shame, and policeman struck me in til
face. was afterEards arrested, charge
with attempting to rescue the prisoner.
was on my way to the station house to Sc
why Qninn was arrested and try to get ba
for HIM"
did you ever hear Corcoran called b