The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-03-15
The BOARD ON WAR Path
Chief Rebman and Detectives James
and Eastwood Asked to Resign.
NO REASONS ASSIGNED FOR IT,
The Commissioners Believe That the
Law is Violated and Think These
Men Should Be Able to De-
tect the Guilty. Will Not
Grant the Request.

The Police Commissioners guiIlotine
has been idle for some time, but is now
being put into perfect working order,
and IL is more than likely that several
heads will roll from the block in the
next few days.
There was something Of n sensation
created at the polios station Yesterday
when Chief Rebman and Detectives
James and Eastwood received commu.
nicstions from the Commissioners usk.
ing their reslRnations. No reason was
assigned and when the detectives were
Eeen last night they said they knew OF
no charges that had been preferred.
They understood. however, that the
Commissioners had learned that liquor
was being sold In Norfolk on Sunday,
that there is gambling aud policy play
ing and hold them responsible.
The Com mlssiouers aud the Mavor
held consultation Wednesday night.
The Mayor was opposed to removing
men without having specific charges,
but Indicated that he would not stand
In the way OF reform.
1t was reported early yesterday that
Board would hold meeting ut the
usual hour, and about o'clock Messrs.
Bolton and Verdier were at the MAYORS
Office reading over thesssw md discus.
sing the situation. They had the room
to themselves and were securely locked
IN. Reporters, policemen aud the Gu.
Sious throng that usually attend such
trials were excluded.
Alter waiting some time for His
honor, the Mayor, who was unavoida-
bly, absent, the Commissioners stated
that no meeting would be held till next
week.
MIR. John G. Tilton has boon retained
as counsel by Chief Rebmsn and Capt.
j. j. Burroughs aud Mr. Tilton will
represent Detectives Eastwood md
James.
The employment OF counsel would
Indicate that the Boards request will
not be granted. but that there will be
an issue upon legal grounds.
Chief Rebman was in excellent tenn.
per yesterday evening. He said that
lie had never heard of any charges pre-
feIred against the Detectives.
The Vellines case established the
right of the Commissioners to remove
all members of the force with tho OK.
ception of Chief and Captains without
assigning any cause.
MIR. Illton was seen last night and
SAID that MIR. Rebmau would most
Gssuredly not tender his resignation.
NoAs hO Woo PAooCnh lust Gf6uIuH aS
attorney, when it was proposed to hold
O meeting, and that Capt. Bolton mani.
tested some astonishment when inform.
ed that the Chief would not retire"
HE cannot afford TO do So" said MIR.
1ilton, at would simply be running
under fire. 1 asked the Board to
furnish specifications of charges L such
form as would enable Chief kebman to
make proper defence"
Capt. Bolton indicated that the re.
quest might be granted.
MIR. Tilton was of the opinion that
movement might be inaugurated to re.
move the the Commissioners.
The public was not exactly prepared
for the bold stand taken. Last night
prominent citizen was of the opinion
that If the three officers were appointed
Tor the purpose OF breaking up gam
bling dens, etc, they had not been
squal to the occasion. and thought that
the Board could with propriety plead
justification.
The communications to the officers
were written by Mayor Petit, aud was
simple request that they tender their
designations, as their services are no
longer needed.