The herald., 1895-07-31
Police Sergeant Smith in a Dual
Role
SUSPENSION OF ARGUELLO
He Gets Thirty Days for Leaving His
Beat
Sergeant Smith Charged With Conduct I'm
becoming a Gentleman and VIII
Be Tried Next Week

Things seem to 70 by contraries in the
board of police commissioners. Commls-
sioner Webber, who has recently resigned
from tho board, was on hand at his place
at the regular meeting OF tho board held
yesterday, while Comm missioner Pirtle,
who has never signified any intention OF
leaving the commission, has not been
very prompt in his attendance upon meet
ings lately. He was absent again yester-
day morning.
The first thing considered was the
charge of leaving his beat and going
home to sleep contrary to tho rules OF the
police department, preferred by Chlei
Glass against Officer Alfredo Arsuello.
The report upon the subject was made by
Sergeant Smith and Detective Auble, who
detailed in a sleuth-like manner how the
accused had been tracked to his lair and
rousted out of bed. ArGuello pleaded
guilty, and in. extcnouation of his con-
duct told the board how the day before
his violation he had gone hunting and
had eaten too much watermelon. The
fruit made him ill and he was compelled
to retire. Arguello said that before he
left his beat he had telephoned to Clerk
Hensley at headquarters and informed
home. Hensley had remarked to him
over the wire: 'All right" Sergeant
Smith denied that he was previously un-
friendly to Arguello. but the latter insisted
that the sergeant had it in" for him
over ten years, when Aguello alleges that
he and Smith were neighbors and quar-
relied. Smith denied that he had ever re-
sided in the neighborhood specified by
Arguello. The accused officer was sus-
pended for thirty days from the date of
his original suspension. Commissioners
Barham made the motion, remarking
that he was tired of being lenient with
officers who are accused of derel!ction.
ArpuelIo was also ordered to be repri-
manded.
The sensation of the session came when
Clerk Beebe read the following, signed BY
r. O'Connor: Il
To the Police Comm issioners of Los An
geles City:-Gentlemen II hereby prefer
charges against Sergeant Smith, mem
ber OF the police force of this city, of con-
duct unbecoming a policeman and gen.
tleman. v.. ++5 3
The said remarks ware made referring
to respectable wife of a respectable gen
tleman who are taxpayers and residents
Of this city. The time, place and re-
marks are more fully sec forth in the aft
davit which accom- panies these charges.
Accom- panying the above is a sworn
complaint signed by O'Connor, as follows;
r. O'Connor of Los Angeles. California.
by me duly sworn, deposes and says that
on July II, 1895, in the afternoon, he
drove with his wife to the home OF Bishop
street, between Main and Los Angeles
streets. The said aftiant being sick. his
wife called to report to the bishop the
state Of ner husbands health. When re-
turning to the buggy from the bishop s
door. Sergeant Smith of the Los Angeles
1o,, a
enough to be heard by the atfiant (the
language which follows is unfit to pIins).
making this remark, at the same time
looking at Mrs. O'Connor.
The chief reported that Smith had de-
MED having made the remarks attributed
to him, land L believe him. re-
marked the chief.
O'Connor was present in an adjoining
room while the charges were being read,
but was not called. The matter will be
heard by the commissioners next Tues
day.
The chief reported favorably upon the
transfer Of the Nadeau hotel saloon Ii
cense to Landlord Chase of the house, and
the transfer was permitted.
The chief reported the sum OF $l52 in
the fund for the issuance of special po.
lice stars. Commissioners Webber md
Field were appointed "a committee to con-
suit with the chief rega riding the. disposi
ton of the money. and also to devise
ways and means for checking the growing
evil of too many special officers who
never do police duty but use their stars
for riding upon the street cars and secur-
ing other privileges for which the ordi-
nary mortal is compelled to pay cash.
The finapce committee OF the council
appeared before the commission for the
purpose of explaining the deal which
has secured branch station on Boyle
Heights. where there are not three ar
rests made in the course of q twelve
month. Tie board has never been noti-
fled of the lease of the Boyle Heights
property for police station purposes. The
chief. in reply to questions, said that
there is no need of station on the
heights at present The board finally