Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1895-11-30
THOSE POLICE TRIALS.

There are those who are inclined to
criticise the Herald for not mention
ing the police trials which have been
had. Contrary to the accepted rule,
the Herald is of that class who believe
that a man is innocent until he is
proven guilty.
We are aware that there have been
complaints from almost every source
that the police have not been as eff
Gent as they should have been. And
we are free to say that we are of that
number. The matter has been dis
cussed in the City Council and the
Mayor has been censured because he
did not require them to be more dill
gent. 1t is also our opinion that
matters would have been much worse
had it not been for the watchfulness
of the Mayor. The upshot of the
whole business was that the Mayor
preferred charges against two of the
force. One of them, Officer Kimmer-
ling, was found to have been negli-
gent and was suspended until the first
of December. The other case, that Of
Officer Harmon, was decidedly pecu-
liar. The charges were too explicit
and it transpires that some members
of the council were disposed to split
hairs if necessary to secure his ac-
quittal.
AS the investigation was strictly
private Ia thing which in our opinion
should not have been), we have but
little information of the nature of the
testimony and are therefore unable to
ascertain whether or not there was
good ground for the charges. We
are told that much of the testimony
was 'hearsay." Be that as it may
the action of the majority in bringing
the investigation to close while the
Mayor was consulting with the City
Attorney as to which witness they
would next introduce, was not COM
mendable.
The investigation should have been
full and open. Members of the Coun-
Gil cannot afford to have a faint of
suspicion rest upon the police. If
not guilty, Mr.. Harmon should have
refused to accept such an acquittal. If
guilty, or if circumstances indicated
that there was the slightest reason
to suspect that he had been dere-
lict, then it became the duty of the
Council to assist the Mayor in prob
ing the matter to the very end in
order to arrive at just and honest
verdict.
Members of the Council should rec
ollect that they have been chosen by
the people to look after and guard
their interests and that those same
people will hold them to a strict ac-
count. They cannot afford to white
wash" member of the police force.
The people pay for protection and
they intend to have it. No man is so
good or great that he can hold an of
fee in this country and not do his
duty. The Republican party is now
responsible for the conduct of affairs
in this city and that party must either
surrenderits trust or sodemean itselfas
to retain the confidence of the people.
Since the Mayor has again suspend
ed Mr.. Harmon we trust the Council
instead of demanding that the testi-
mony shall be full apd explicit in
every detail, will make an effort to
ascertain if there is any foundation in
fact. for the charges preferred. To
do SO will be better for the accused, il
innocent, and if guilty, we cannot be-
lieve that any member OF the council
will vote to retain him on the force.
While President Cleveland NAV