Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1895-09-21
IMPEACHMENT TALK
WAS CONDEMNED AS BEING TOO
PREVIOUS NY ALDERMAN
sPooNTs.
go Committee WIN Meet rhis Morn
Ing 10 Sc, Time for DeEin-
sing Thcir Work.

The investigation OF the police ao-
counts was rofcrred TO the judiciary
committee OF the city council. after
short but interesting session OF that
body last night
Alderman Fry presided as mayor
pro TEN. and all the members were
present except MIR. MulSey.
The vacant space in the lobby was
crowded with Interested spectators, in
GLIDING a number OF representative
citizens, as well as the close friends OF
the officers who We're about to be ar
rslgned Ia the manner OF a public trial
for the deficit which had been report
cd In their department.
Chief Maddox was present as usual,
and wore his usual serene expression
of countonanco and blue uniform, and
1t was apparent from the selr-possess-
ed way In which he spoke TOW min
utes later that he was not In any dread
of the results Of the investigation, AS
sLstant Chief M0tkln and otieer Fer
guton were also present, but were
keeping mum or talking In guarded
way With friends and members or tie
council and their attorneys, who after
wards made their statements for thom
10 tho council,
Tho proceedings were opened by the
mayor pro ten rapping the meeting
10 order and the hum Of voices In the
room ceased and many eyes In the
audience wandered TO the faces or the
three officers. who gave an attentive
car TO the brief announcement;
Gentlemen OF the council. We have
assembled here this evening for the
purpose OF taking action on the police
reports. We have a quorum present
and viii now proceed TO business
As the chairman said this In u rath--
er depressed tone OF voice he glanced
around the room at the different alder
meu, all OF whom seemed to be whit
ing for some one else to speak first.
After short hesitation Alderman
Lnssitcr arose and remarked that II
seemed to him that It would be better
To refer the matter back to the joint
committee If any testimony was 10 be
talSea In addition to that which had all
ready been given before them.
HcreupOn william Cappa, ESQ, made
Il brief abatement Of the position Of his
client, officer Ferguson, who he said,
VIVA represented by himself and Capt,
BAH. who was also present continu-
Ing, he said they had not been permit
ted to Inspect the evidence which had
been odduoed against their client In
committee. and declared that no de-
finite charge had been preferred but
position OF being called upon to prove
negative, No charge had been pre-
fcrred against him and no omission OF
duty had been pointed out upon which
the council could take action.
Here Alderman Lassitcr asked:
40 you wane TO Introduce any
further tcstlmony?'
81 should think we would" replied
the attorney, "lf there ia anything II
the testimony which has already beer
Ns.NN 20 a..
nneting upon officer Ferguson"
Capt Ball the other nttorncv 10,
oHicer Ferguson, then stated that h,
had applied for permlsAlon to luspee
the written testimony which had nee,
given before the committees nnd ia,
been Informed by the clty seeretnr,
that tho coninlttce had Insir,,c,nh htr
not TO allow any one to inspeet M
testimony. In conclualon he deolarc,
that II would he neresaarv bof,.c ~
ceedinr any further and thot onl,e
ITerruson vSouid be ahn,,,r - ~, ~, ~ ~
from blame az
n ID shronshtrc tio, stat,a - a.,
attorney OF Asaistant Shief HfatIi
that like the reutlemnn yho haa A.,
coded him he md hsSn Hnnio a." 49, ~
10 the testimony before M sorto,i,
Tee meeting ia wanted a. ettnnd ~
COMMITTEES and hive Tho matter mo,
oughN sifted, '''N'
alderman lcssex ~ Tho no,,co now
mittee then arose with the exnrassIn
Of n diiemmn ,tnon hia sacc vhic
brlrhteped "a a fupitive angrcatin
seemed 10 striIte him ana nftcr a,
ciarinE that he aid mol 500 how NJ
rnuncii cn,,Ia n,.aseod ~ y, ~ ~" s, '"
these gentlemen unless they ,,.e,e I,
gally CHARGED with something i
moved that n committees OF three /
nnpointed IL drnft articies ~ in,n,', a,
ment and report NJ INC NEXT reeuia
meeting OF Tho counen The motto
was not seconded, and AIderna
Spoonts said he thonvht 4, WAS ~ ~,
TOO prevlous.
Continuing he said there couid be y
impeachment nroceedinra ,nstit,,s
AGAINST oflicers Matl,in Snd iecr9usn,
who were employos Of the malice a,
partment. while t,hIef Ntndanw Voc. n
eieeted oa,cer ana thir woe ~, -,