Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1895-01-03

THE INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE.
The committee appointed by the City
Council on the 9th Of November TO
examine into certain reports concern
ing the police force of this city, held
their first sitting in the Police Court
rooms this afternoon. Mr.. Cation,
chairman, who introduced the resolu-
lions of inquiry, was the first to arrive.
Mr.. Paul r. Evans and Mr.. Noble Lind
sey were the next TO put in their APP
pearance, and subsequently, Mr.. Geo.
II. Hinken augmented the number.
The remaining member of the commit
tee, Mr.. Harry Burke, arrived last.
Between thirty and forty spectators had
assembled.
At about half past two o'clock Mr..
Cation called the committee to order,
and. addressing the spectators, said If
any one had come to witness the pro-
ceedines of the committee in expecta-
ton OF enjoying something sensational
he would be egregiously fooled, as
the resolutions which had been in
troduced in Council had no such object.
Rumors, however, had been circulated
and newspaper accounts printed TO the
effect that prize fights and other IT.
Irregularities had been carried on in this
city with the knowledge and counte-
nance of the police. If these charges
were untrue, an opportunity should be
given the accused to disprove them, but
if the rumors were based upon any solid
foundation an equal chance should be
given those who have circulated the
same TO substantiate them. The COM
mittee assumed no power to summon
witnesses, and merely invited those
who had charges to urge to present
them for the committees consideration.
No attention had been given anony-
nous communications the committee
assuming that if persons having charges
to make could not come forward in
person and present them they were un-
worthy of consideration. He closed by
saving the committee were now ready
to hear from any one having charges to
make.
Mr.. Evans, after Mr. Cation had taken
his seat, remarked this thing is more
of lizzle than thought it was" he
having asked the chairman if the inves-
uigation was to be held with open
doors.
Mr. Cation said the resolution pro
vided for public investigation.
Some time was then consumed in
waiting for the appearance of Dr.
Jones, who was TO testify regarding the
alleged prize fights at Mr.. Dan Henry's
theatre.
d.. Jones, having been put on the
stand, said he witnessed the match be-
tween Peckham and Costello. He said
he could not say exactly what consti
tuted prize fight. but had observed
the proce adings closely. The gloves
used were light, and the fact par'icu
larly noticed was that the participants
didn't seem to have received much
punishment. 1t appeared TO him
that il was contest in which
the man having the most endurance
and agility would prove the victor. II
S true it looked as though the mems
ewes. noses and mouths would be
knocked into one when they received
blows in the face, but they would after
wards face the audience smilingly ami
unhurt. He saw no blood drawn by
either of the combattants. Mr. Henry.
proprietor of the theatre, had weighed
the gloves in his presence, aud they
weighed over ten ounces, were soft,
we'll padded, especially in the fingers,
and seemed covered with some thin
substance resembling bladder. Tn
blows passed were not calcula ed
10 produce any permanent ipjul.
He saw no. hing Objectionable in it and
il struck him that such exercise should
be eucour aged, as il tended to max,
young men depend more upon nature-
weapons and made them less likely to
carry pistols. He probably would new
er attend another match, however, and
had gone to this one to satisfy Ii
curiosity. He saw no disorder nor
any drunken meu.
Mr.. w. f. Carne. jr., was asked by
Capt. Webster 10 make q statement OF
what he witnessed at Mr.. Henry's tie
atre, and his evidence was corroborative
Of that given by DR.. Jones.
Capt. Webster then made state
ment concerning the matches which
had been in this city. He said he
alone was responsible so far as the po-
lice were concerned. He attended for
the purpose ofseeing there was nothing
unlawful carried on On one occasion,
when there seemed to be some animus
exhibited he had gone on the stage and
brought the proceedings to close.
There was always good order observed
ut these matches and lie saw no betting.
Mr.. Cation then asked if there were
any other witnesses present who de-
sired to testify, and none appearing he
declared the meeting adjourned.