The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1895-12-26
POLICE PROBLEM SOLVED.
Taylor moved-McLagan re-
signed. c. B. Wells now
Chief.

Monday night. G. b. Wells was appointed
by Mayor Kelsay 10 fill the vacancy.
George w. limerick is now wnightwatchman,
being elected to Eli the vacancy caused by o.
C. McLagan's resignation. The appoint-
ments are excellent ones and meet with
general approval. Thew show that the
council was not actuated by personal malice
nor by desire to favor any particular COM
bination of men in voting to sustain the
charges brought. The result of the trial is
a vindication of the efforts of the press and
charges.
The trial of L. II. Taylor as chief of police
of Cor, allis was held Friday night. A full
council was pre- sent and Mayor Kelsay pre-
sided. E. L. Wilson, city attorney, con-
Quoted the case for the city and Judge
Hufford for the defendant. The contest be-
tween the attorneys was at times more than
spirited, and his honor, the mayor, limited
gently at a possible fine. A number Of
witnesses testified for the prosecution, their
evidence being in line with the statements
published in the Gazette at the time of the
affair. Judge Hufford attempted to intro
duce resolution signed by a number of peo-
| pie that is referred to elsewhere, but the
mayor ruled it out of order.
The defense introduced several witnesses
who testified that they heard no disturbance
from Taylor at the opera house. Dbl
Davidson testified to Taylor's sobcriety but
was consid erably mixed up by Councilman
Lees questions, and was unable to extricate
himself from the dilemma his contradictions
got him into.
| Norm billy testified to drinking beer and
not "sunny skys.
x-Grandjuryman Joe Hunter did not ap
pear to be Informed of the line OF defense
adopted. He swore that the saloon affair
was just matter of few words and that he
did not see Taylor draw revolver although
he stood only three feet distant from him.
Taylor then took the stand, denied being
disordorly; denied being drunk; denied hunt
| ing Babson for other than pacific purposes.
Admitted drinking mineral water; admitted
having had some little difficulty in the
saloon. but said it was forced upon him;
drew lis revolver, but simply as badge Of
his Office and threatened no one with ii; did
not intend to usc it. There was some evil
dence in rebuttal.
| City Attorney Wilson submitted his side
Hufford addressed the council for over half
an hour and made the plea of his life for his
client. He was warmely congratulated
when he finished by Mr.. Taylor's friends for
his mastery effort. The council retired for
a few minutes and returned with the an
! nounccmcnt that they had sustained the
charges by a vote of seven to two. 1t was
then after three o'clock Saturday morning
and an adjournment was taken until Mon
day night to hear the evidence in support of
the charges against the nightwatchman.
1t was rumored on the streets Monday
that both officers would tender fheir resegna-
tion at the Monday evening session. A
,, large crowd was present at the previous
meeting. The resolution rcforred to else
where were introduced by Councilman
Samuels. Upon motion they were laid on
the table. The following resolution bearing
/, the solitary signature of p. Avery, was
partly read, when Councilman Lee de-
nounced it as an insult to the council and
moved thatit be laid on the table. The
motion carried. 'Rcsolved inasmuch as tie
public press Of this city claim thatit was
necessary to publish and re-publish broad
cast 10 the world, the escapades of our city
officials regardless of the injuries such
publication might be to the good name Of
our city, in order to force the pre.ent coun-
ell to do their duty in the matter, We hereby
authorize and empower the editors of
Gazette and Times TO name the future chief
Of police and nightwatchman; men Of their
own choice and kindred so that in case there
should be any little Irregularities amongst
our future officials, a reputation of such
publications would bo entirely unnecessary.
P. AVERY"
City Attorney Wilson then read resolu-
(, ton To- the effect that the charges having
been sustained against officer Taylor, he be
removed and the Office declared vacant, a
motion to adopt carried Councilman
Samuels ard Flett voting s'No."
Mayor Kelsay then appointed c. B. Wells
to fill the vacancy. Whereupon x-Chief
Taylor gave notice to the council that he had
] been duly elected chief OF police and would
continue to hold the Office until further
notice from him.
The council then promptly confirmed the
appointment OF Mr.. Wells. Councilman
Samusls spokeag ainst the confirmation, say.
| ing that he believed Taylor could still right
| fully hold the office, and the council had bet
ter go slow. Seven councilmen voted TO con-
firm; Samuels and Flett refusing to vote.
Councilman Grefoz then introduced res
olution fixing the salary of the nightwatch-
man at $40 per month. On motion of coun-
Gilman Hairless it was amended to read $40
per month";" and passed as amended.
The resignation of Officer McLagan was
then read and accepted, and tho charges
against him were Withdrawn. Applications
for the position we're then read from Arch
Horning, Marshall c. Miller, w. II. How
ard, Luke Thornton. Nels Fl. Wheeler, Fred
Obercr, Chris Germansen and Geo. w. EN-
rick. The latter was elected on the second
/ ballot, which was five for Emrck and four
for Howard. The council theu adjourned.
The resignation Of Officer McLagan was
relief to most OF the councilmen, who, while
they perhaps could not excuse his conduct on
that one occasion, yet were glad not to be
compelled to remove an officer who had gen.
orally been SO efficient. His resignation is
generally considered dignifed and crsdita-
bic act. Had Taylor done likewise, it would
hax, 6ol