The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-04-03
A Five Hours Session Of the Police
Board.
SEVERAL OFFICERS TESTIFY,
Some Lively Discussion Between
Counsel and Commissioners. The
Chief Becomes Excited at the
Testimony of Officer Tit
mus.

Rebman, who was charged by the
board with several serious ottenses,
which charges lave previously been
published i'll full in The NIkGISIAN.
The full board was present, Mayor
Petit presiding. Chief Rebmsn WAS
represented by Judge Thomas Ii. Will
COX, MIR. Sam w. Small being present
as the legal advisor of the bosrd.
After the clerk had rend the charges
Judge Wilcox made answer, denying
the charges specifically.
The names of the witnesses for the
prosecution were called and Judge
Wilcox objected to Sergeants Kirch
mier and Robinson and Officers Wade
and Wynn being heard, inasmuoh as
their names had not been furnished
the defense. 1t was agreed, however,
that they should only testify US 10 the
specifications in the charge.
After several tilts between tho Com
missieners and Judge Wilcox, the first
witness was called to the chair in the
person OF Officer Lafayette Taylor.
Officer Taylor said he had reported
to the chief many violations Of the law,
as he thought, but that no notice had
been taken of them. He mentioned
among the places be had reported a
gaming house on Lincoln street, Poca
hontas Club, at Queen and ST. Paul
streets; Church Lewis plnce on Avon
atreet; Hannah Fink, on James street,
for selling liquor without license;
Williams Hall, on Jefferson street. MS
disorderly house. II also said that
an order had been read out to the re-
lief to report to the Chief only.
The Mayor spoke up aud said lie had
issued this order himself.
Officer Taylor also SAID that Officer
Snyder came to his house aud ask ed
HIM to go to the board. This Officer
Snyder denied when on the stand.
Officer litmus was the next witness.
While he was on the stand Chief Reb.
man jumped up eXcltedly and warned
the witness not to reflect on HIM. The
officers testimony was directed to
showing an intimacy between Chief
Rebman and Church Lewis aud testi-
fed that when he kept the street clear
OF men and women Lewis said to him :
'I helped to put that Chief there aud
Will see about IT. He said that later
the Chief told him TO use discretion.
He told about warrant having been
issued for u raid on Lewis place aud
how Lewis had gotten wind OF 1t before
1t WAS served. When asked as to the
reputation of houses on his beat he said
they were supposed to be houses of i'll
fame. Have you your regulations?'
asked Judge Wilcox, and the officer
answered yes, but had never reported
any OF the houses. He was severely
criticised by Judge Wilcox for trying
to create the impression that Chief
Rebman gave Information to Lewis MS
to the issue of the warrants.
Officer Snyder was called and told
OF his having seen Chief Rebman III
conversation with MIR. n. Is. Joynes ut
night on Queen street. The questions
OF Judge Wilcox were answered reluct-
Rntly by the witness, who eventually
confessed that he had been reprimaud
ed by Chief Rebman for arresting a
very small boy, and said that he had
'as much right TO give 1t TO him the
Chief as he has to me-"
Officer Il, Y. Crosby saw Chief Reb
man talking to Mr.. Joynes, but his
testimony III the main was favorable tc
the Chief.
Officer W. L. Williams acknowledged
that the Chief had reprimanded him
dor arresting cripple, and said he had
been detailed by Sergeant Lowery to
look after some clubs. When he began
detailing conversation he had Judge
Wilcox objected, holding that hearsny
testimony was not admissible.
"ies 1t is, persisted Commissioner
Bolton.
''But your legal advisor saws it is
not, insisted Judge Wilcox and moi
until MIR. Small had spoken did the
Commissioner give in.
Officer III. Moore had, he said, re.
ported place on lower Church str
Tor selling liquor on Sunday and gam b.
ling and had been told by the Chief
that he was not there to do detective
work. This place was an alleged
athletic club.
Officer Atwood had reported Church
Lewis place dIsorderly; Lewis had
been fined and he was removed from
the beat.
Officer Hunter had been detailed to
look alter the Sunday clubs; had been
given ilve names to investigate; did not
succeed In getting in them. He got in
another, bat could not buy anything.
lad been told by the Chief TO confins
himself to orders. He had once re.
ported Maloney's saloon on Talbot
street and tried three times to get a
warrant for Maloney's arrest. bnt Jns.
ice burroughs put him off each time
WIN the remark that he would look
into the matter. He said he had re.
ported the suspected location OF q policy
wheel, but nothing was done about il.
When asked where the wheel was he
sefused to answer.
Uihcer James Wynn had reported a