The herald., 1895-08-07
CONTINUED FOR ONE WEEK
The Charges Against Police
Sergeant j. A. Smith
AT PLAINTIFFS REQUEST
Smith Seriously Objects to Any Farther
Delay
Th. City Is Finally 10 Have Covered Patrol
Wagon-The Weekly Session Of the
Police Commissioners

mess the signs or the times are Gil at
fault, Police Sergeant J. A. Smith will
within week at the farthest be in
position to have the last laugh upon his
enemies. The mysterious influence
known in political parlance as the pulp
appears to be taxing the liveliest sort Of
an interest in Smiths case. He is
charged in a sworn affidavit before the
board of police comm issoners with hav-
ing grossly insulted the wife of r.
O'Connor, a well.known Boyle Heights
resident, implying that Mrs. O'Connor
had made a recent visit TO ther esidence of
Bishop Montgomery for improper pur-
poses. he language attributed to Ser
geant Smith is alleged to have been in
the nature OF a passing comment. when
Mrs. O'Connor left the bishops house one
day to enter a vehicle in which sat her
husband. The latter alleges that he
overheard the supposedly humorous sally
and he is said to have expressed him
self to Smith upon the subject in language
which could have but one Interpretation.
Sergeant Smith, while not denying the
language attributed to him, insists that
his words were spoken to be applicable
not to Mrs, but to Mr.. O'Connor.
Chief Glass is Sergeant Smiths firm
friend and he does not hesitate to ex-
press himself In and out of season to the
effect that his sergeant IS innocent OF the
charge against him. The chief insists
that the whole thing Is what in police
vernacular is known as lob.
1t was at first intimaued that the charges
against Sergeant Smith were intended to
be an Offset to the charges against Officer
Alfredo Arguello recently made by
Smith. but this claim has now been
dropped.
When the Smith casa was reached for
inquiry by the board of police commits
sioners yesterday the prosecuting wit
ness asked that the matter be continued
for one week. as his testimony was not
yet properly in hand. The pull was
there and appeared to come to the ac-
cused officers assistance, as the ma jor-
ity of the commissioners were opposed to
granting O'Connors request. The latter
informed the hoard that he would have
been ready to proceed with the case had
Chief Glass not openly stated in his
hearing at the last meeting of the board
that the charges were mass OF lies. Ser
geant Smith was on hand IN uniform and
with his star and insisted that in justice
to himself the case ought to be at once
tried. Comm ssioner Barham remarked
blapdly that as Smith had not been sus-
pended. he could not ses the harm of
postponng the hearing for one week.
and upon his motion this was ordered
done. The charges will be inquired into
next Tuesday afternoon at oclock.
The communication officially notifying
the board OF the discontlnuance of the
Boyle Heights branch police station was
re ferred to the chief.
The resolution of the Ministerial asso-
citation anent the removal of the social
evil from Alameda street was ordered
filed. Major Field remarked ironically:
Let us enforce the order of the council, "
and then the matter was allowed to sleep.
Chiefs report for July showed a total
nf Of which pnpibor -t
sons were dismissed. The total amount
of fines and forfeitures paiu into court
during the month was $76s. The stolen
property recovered by the police during
the month aggregated S676
Action upon the new application OF
Frank Hoffman for a saloon license at
334 South Spring street, and of George
Bernstein at 1928 West Second street,
the oil district, were postponed for ono
week. Both applications were at the last
meeting of the board denied.
Captain J. Flames vas granted by the
board permission to carry revolver and
bowie knife.
The following report made by the spe-
cial committee having the matter in
charge was adopted:
Your committee to inquire into the dis
position of police stars beg leave to make
the following report: We have examined
the books of Police Secretary Cottle re-
lating to this matter. and approve his
manner OF keeping his accounts.
We recommend the calling in of all
numbered stars not in use by regular po-
lice officers, and the issuing in their stead
of special stars, said special stars to be so
marked as to readily describe the occupa-
tion of the wearer.
The application of Otto Wannacke
for saloon license at 1901 Downey av-
enue, the Baron Rogniat property, was
referred to the chief.
Commissioner Barham brought up the
subject OF a covered patrol wagon. An
acquaintance uf his, he explained. bad
recently been dragged through the streets
in the vehicle at present in use. He
would bear the expense himself in the
matter. were that legal. if the city is too
poor to foot the bill. The chief was IN
clned to oppose the reform. as not prac-
ticable from public standpoint. The mat
ter was referred to special committee
consisting of Commissioners Barham and
Field.
The application of r. B. Dales. a switch
man, to be made a special officer at the
Southern California railroad yards was
referred to the chief
The application of Clint Reiman for
the transfer of the saloon license at 267
South Spring street to himself was
granted.
All new applications for licenses and
transfers of old licenses to new owners
were referred to 1.-THE chief for investiga-
tion.