The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-02-28
ONE VACANT CHAIR
Marshal MCNlChOlS Wasn't al the Meet
Ing.
THERE WAS SOME KICKING
The Police Commissioners Said
They Thought 1t Real Mean of
the:MarshaI Not to show Up
and Give a report

BUTTE, Feb. 27.-Three of the police
commissioners spent about an hour this
| afternoon in general discussion of mat
/ tiers and things relative 10 the police force
aud in quiet roast of Marshal McNIch-
] OILS Tor his failure to attend the meeting,
| and other things. Chairman Brophy and
Commissioners Maule and Gallick showed
| up promptly on time. and after waiting
some time for the marshal, the meeting
was called to order. 1t was expected that
| the marshal would be present with q list
| of the officers who have been off duty dur
| ing the month through sickness, as we'll
as report on one or two other matters,
and the commissioners manifested con-
siderable annoyance over his absence.
II saw the marshal at 3 o'clock this aft
ernoon," said Gallick, and he promised
to be here at $3.50 o'clock, but l don't
know whether he meant to-day or next
Thursday, or some other day"
Gallick wanted the commission to pro-
coed with an investigation of the acct
dental shooting of Owen Walsh by Officer
Dryer, as he thought that the matter
should be disposed of as quickly as posi-
BILE.
Brophy believed that they should have
a report from the marshal before taking
any definite action and he regretted that
that officer could not see that ii was his
duty to be present at to-day's meeting.
THE case is one which certainly de-
mands investigation by this body" said
Brophy, land the public awaits our re-
port with some interest. 1t is n case
where the courts might possibly adjudge
the officer guilty of some oifense while
the commissioners might eXonerate him
as an officer. On the other hand the
courts might acquit him, while we might
find that he had committed some breach
of discipline. / am familiar with the
facts in connection with the shooting, but
what we want to ascertain is whether or
- IL. H.,
with the discipline of the force as 1t now
exists. The marshal evidently thinks
that Dryer has not done single thing
that demands an investigation"
Maule also expressed annoyance that
the marshal should be absent just at a
time when his presence was needed. On
motion of Gallick the matter was then
laid over until the next meeting and the
secretary was instructed to notify the
marshal and officer TO be present at that
time.
Gallick then registered kick concern
ing garbage wagons which he said passed
through the principal streets until late in
the forenoon leaving an unbearable
stencil behind. He thought that the
wagons should all be off the streets be-
fore o'clock in the morning. Maule
called attention to an ordinance which re-
quires all garbage wagons to be off the
street by o'clock in the morning and he
said it was the duty of the police to see
that the ordinance was enforced. Gallick
suggested that the marshal be instructed
to see that the ordinance referred to by
Maule was enforced.
I'VE have made several recommends
tions to the marshal" said Maule, land
have never seen many results" 1
NO." said Mr.. Brophy, mot a result, \
not single result"
Gallick then suggested that the COM
mission recommend to the council that
the marshal be instructed 10 enforce the |
ordinance.
Brophy remarked that such an order
would look bad, as the marshal is a |
member of the commission, and tho mat |
ter was dropped.
The commissioners then drifted off into |
a discussion of probable legislation con- |
corning the police commission of the law |
makers at Helena.
There is one thing certain" remarked |
Brophy, "and that is if the police COM
and the police committee of the |
were both abolished and things |
allowed to run themselves they would not |
be in any worse condition than they are |
now. There are some policemen who
would do their work anyway, and they
are the only ones who are working faith
fully now"
Things quoted down then and the men,
bers we're thinking about quitting, when
Gallick introduced the following:
while | regret that the Importance OF
me case ueDnanus vigorous action. deem
Il my duty to prefer charges against Po-
lice Magistrate Naughten for the follow
ing reasons:
That on or about the 22nd day Of Feb, better
known as the birthday of that illustrious patriot I
Capt. j. Calhoun Shepherd. while his honor was
vending his way to the postOfce, in his usual
serene manner, he was confronted by one John
Doe a notorious character in the criminal
honor and paSsers-by unbecoming to the Doe
amily and calculated to disturb the peace Of I
West Granite street, and also the dignity of the /
little court. That thereupon the Judge, instead L
John Doc that he was the little judge and adj
used him to take quiet sneak; whereupon
he said John Doe, being grossly insulted at the
Tile and abusive reprimand, proceeded 10 trans |
orm his hOnor's left arm into "A beef steak by |
means of his teeth. This proceeding aroused
he wrath of his honor, and with his strong
lght arm he landed the SAID John Doe upon q
Tray and with dignity, and malice aforethought
10 then and there perched himself upon the
read of the obStreperOuS prisoner and in due |
line delivered him to the custody OF the keeper
Il the city prison. stil alive. Upon a physician
the judges laceTated arm 1t was
Ound that the Judge had upon him both a knife
nd a gun that he did not use and on the fol-
owing morning he heavily fined this terrible
'eing So and cost. the usual dose.
Taking into consideration the enOrmty Of the
fense OF the aforesaid John Doe. and the mild
manner in which he was treated by his honor
D this that he is alive believe that he laid
mself liable 10 censure.
Furthermore, it was shown that at the time
making the arrest that the judges feet were
9th perfectly dry and no booze was in his
y ySieI In view Of the accompanying facts
ands for conduct unbecOming an officer.
The chairman stated that he did not be-
eve the commission had any authority
yer the police magistrate and the resolu-
ion was tabled, after which the meeting
djourned.