The morning call., 1895-01-28
THE POLICE STIRRED UP.

Captain Douglass Addresses the Second
Division.
The proposed investigation into the
alleged corruption in the Police Depart
ment has apparently had the effect of in
citing the members to take steps to pro-
tect their own interests in the premises.
On Friday at noon the officers of the
second division by special call of Captain
Douglass assembled at the Central police
station. The men were ignorant of the
cause that brought them all together and
each was on the keen edge of expectation.
The doors were securely closed and after
they had formed ranks in the assembly
room Captain Douglass stepped forward.
There was buzz of anticipation as the
captain cleared his throat for his i'm
promptu address, which was substantially
as follows:
"You are all no doubt aware" said the
captain, ''that the Legislature is moving in
the direction of appointing committee to
investigate the alleged corruption in the
department.. I have, therefore, deemed it
expedient to bring you together for the
purpose of giving you few words of
caution and advice.
at has been said that we have all
grown wealthy by accepting money from
gamblers and inmates of houses of ILL
fame and I am credited with being the
fortunate owner of property of the value
of a million and half dollars. l would
gladly give the man a very large COM
mission who would kindly show me
where I could find so much wealth. [
need not say that such a statement is
wildly preposterous but it shows to what
extent the people who are preaching cor
ruption against the department will go.
/ defy any man to come forward and point
ont a single dollars worth of property
that I have not become possessed of
honestly.
II would therefore advise you to engage a
competent attorney to look after your in
terests during the investigation. 1t is not
desirable that your attorney should be
present to hamper the proceedings by of
fering technical objections, but it is very
important that he should be there to see
that Justice is done you.
81 would suggest that fund should be
raised to meet the expense of engaging an
attorney each member contributing pro
rata share. Among SO many it would not
be much.
SIN the natural course of events" con-
tinued the captain, with considerable feel
ing, 81 may not be long with you; and it
is hard after long years of faithful service
to have ones reputation beSmlrched With
out justifable cause.'
officer Floyd offered resolution of con-
fidence and respect in Captain Douglass,
and, further, that his suggestion to employ
an attorney be acted upon, which was
adopted.
Sergeant Harmon then stepped forward
and remarked that, as he was retiring from
active service on January 81, it would prob
ably be the last time he would have the
opportunity of addressing the Second Di-
vision. He referred to his long connection
with the department, and said that, al
though some of the men might think he
had been harsh with them, he had always
had the good of the department and their
own good at heart.
A resolution was adopted expressing
their profound respect for the sergeant,
and it was ordered that a committee be ap-
pointed to see that it be suitably engrossed
and formolly presented at a time to be
fixed.