The morning times., 1895-09-22
Cotfer Will Probably Be Declared
sss.s.ls. f. 8. Not Guilty. a.7.. 49,.
d ID lIIlf HI.I7E ~ llTI ..--lI
EVIDENCE OF HIS HONESTY
Policeman Stationed at the Bathing
Beach Appears Before The Police
Board-W Illnesses Testify TO His
Prebity and Good Rrputatien-He
Denies All the Charges. 7-h-

The ceDolusfon Of the trial Of Policeman
cotter before tire police trial board, on
charges preferred against him by supertn-
teDdent OF the Bathing Beach W. X. Stevens,
as stated exclusively in The Morning Times
several days ago, was reached yesterday
afternoon. The hegeyernmentfinish taking
tsstsnpn nytheprevionsday. andthe witnesses
fer tie defense were heard yesterday, with
arguments from counsel Mr.. John A
ciarEe Represented tile tiefeudafft, and Mr..
Stevens prosecuted the case
The charges allege that Cotter from time
to time appropriated small.sunls of money
atthe bathing beach, where he was sta toned.
and faded to account fer them. He has been
stationed ut tile beach every summer since
ftstarted, estepsibIy FOR the purpose Of pre-.
serving order, but IN reality acting IN every
capacity, from issuing tickets to taxing
care of the bath houses.
.cottef was sworn and denied the charges
in toto. He said that he had never know
ngly or Intentionally misappropriated funds
belonging TO the beach. he admitted that
he had failed, on ONE or two occasions, to,
deposit small amounts in The box imme
tiiateiy after he received them, but this
was becadse he had so mnch to look after
at the beach that he lIailn,t time to attend,
teit. These aInognts, aiowever, be claimed
to have nrsriabiy riepusittli after " ards.
BE denied empha tically that he had ever
made any confession 10 Mr.. Stevens, ala
said thar the % cents on which the charges
were based was held oat Internationally by
him, and turned in as soon as his attention
was called 10 it next morning He stated
that he wasa man of me ans. owning twrive
houses, and stock in several building asso--
cfations, and was beyond the need of such
petty sums. = 50 -l' --ii'
Inspector nollinberger testified that
Cotter had served under him for a number
of years, and that he regarded him as an
honest sfd considerations man ami an ex.s
cellent Officer. LSeht Kelly, of the Sixth
precinct ana seret. Hainey ,of the Sesenth
precinct gave Similar testimony. s1i g
Cashier Berry, of the Farmers and Me
chanics' National. Rank OF Georgetown,
testified that he had known Mr.. Coiter
number of years and regarded him as a
man of strict Integrity. Al a supervisor
OF the metropolitan road Cotter was fire.
qnentiy called upon to handle large sums
of money, which he deposited with the
bank, and he was trusted by all the Off
GERS OF that Institution. He Derry fire.
aIeHtly, bought property. and transacted
business on Cotter's advice and judgment.
Mr.. Offntt, a grocer, of Georgetown,
and a number OF other prominent citizens
testified in Cottcr,s behalf. all regarding
him as an honest and upright man.
Lawyer, Kimball testified that he was
a frequent patron of the beach, and had
always remarked the uriforri courtesy and
kind ness with which cotter tueHted the
visitors to that place. 5on -oue occasion,
during rush, he noticed man get his
suit and ticket and go to his room with
out paying for them. aud called compan-
ionis attention to, it. He lad frequently
left jewelry and money in Cotter,s care,
and At had always been returned.
In retr,ita Nc. Stevens attempted to
eress-exhinihe Cetter, but finally gave it
up with the remark well there's no
use asking him any more questions: he
denies everything" 7'Telf 81 III.
At the conclusion Of the testimony, Mr..
Clarke, on behalf OF the Defendant, argned
tflHt the charge against his client was viz
tually that of larceny, and he would pursue
the same method OF defense that would be
adopted before a regular court. He said
that as tho b1ard W as sitting as a jury they
should give the defendant the benefit Of
every doubt as he was man of mcan rs, and
one whom it was absurd to suspect of COM.
mitting such an soffense. ~ a'il -sr.s.-1a
Mr.. Stevens replied ON behalf of the prose
cution. reviewing gtbeevidcpee forthsg govern
ment- -< ----
1t win probably be several days before
the findings cf TIE board can be put IN such,
shape rs to reach The Commissioners and be-
acted on by them. :, s---.s ~, =, 80,