The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-05-20
Captain PettiS Sued by a
Former EmplOye.
Latter Says He Was Prom
iSed Deputy SealerShip.
Parties Plead N0l0--Sentence De-
ferred--CaseS Passed.

Captain George III. Pettis was defend
ant IN the common pleas division of the
Supreme Court this morning in an action
brought against him by former employe
named George w. Butterfield. The trial
proved a very entertaining one, as both
defendant and plaintiff are entertaining
takers and their stories varied greatly as
to the facts.
The suit was to recover sl05 alleged to
be due to Mr.. But,erfield by Captain
Pettis for services performed for the latter
as city seaer of weights and measures and
superintendent OF street signs an num-
Eers- CAPTAIN -Pettis- -denied-s4e owed
Butterfi Held anything at all.
Mr.. Butterfeld testified that on Mon
day, Oct. 10 1894. at noon, he met Cap
tain Pettis and though he did not Know
him, greitly to his surprise, that gentle
man stopped MIN and gave out the i'm
portant information that he was city
sealer. Next he asked Ar Brtterield If
he did not want 10 go TO work and that
gentleman said he had job, working on
the repairs being made on the Boston
Store and that his compensation was 81 a
week.
Mr.. Butterfield further claimed that
Mr.. Pettis cffsre him 50 week to start
on, and promised him an increase of
wages after four weeks and also said that
IL was probable the deputy city sealer
would resign and in that case he, Butter
field, would have the position. There was
TO be no deduction from wages on ac-
count of wet weather and this was prom
ised particularly by Captain Peitis. After
ward the latter deducted the sintid's
wages on rainy days, and tolc aim he
could not appoint hsm deputy because he
M cit
Plaintiff remained at the city hall un-
til Feb. II, 1895, when he was told there
was to be a change and that his services
would not be required any longer. After
protesting he was ordered out OF the office
OF the city sealer.
On cross examination witness admitted
that il he had his rights he would have
property worth 20, 900, 600, and that he
had law suit pending concerning the
same. He said the highest wages he ever
received at the sealer's office was IS
week and that Captain Pettis could have
tine job for three years. deduction was
made from his pay on account OF rainy
weather and he aid not complain think
ing the appointment of deputy at a sal
ary OF sl2 a week would make everything
right.
BenonI Lewis testified that he had heard
Captain Pettls tell huttertielu that he
could not make him deputy sealer of
a citizen.
Captain Pettis testified that he needed
laborer very badly on the 10th of
Octoher, 1894, so he went out on the
street looking for one. He met the plain
tit, who was enjoying smoke and Offer
ed him work, but Butterfield claimed the
pay was too small, but finally agreed to
TO work and witness agreed 10 give him
SS a week the first month, ~ week the
second month, and eight the third, his
wages TO he deducted on ralpv GAYS. He
never promised the plaintiff the position
OF deputy sealer OF Weights
because deputy seaier Lewis had com
plained OF the way he did his work.
Captain Pettis incidentally described his
scientific system OF street numbers and
also said the plaintiff tired him with his
visionary stories OF millions that he had
heeu kept out OF the possession Of, and
for which he was suing. When Butter
field left his employ, witness owed him
only 66 cents which he had since rendered
I'm court.
George Il. Brown was attorney for the
plaintiff and E. &. Pierce represented the
defendant.
Peter Germain OF Lincoln, and John
O'Neil of this city, pleaded nolo conten-
dere to indictments against them for
maintaining common nuisances, I'm
Judge Douglass court, and sentence
was deferred until the third Monday in
September.
There were NO trials IN the criminal d.
vision of the court today.
John j. McMaugh pleaded nolo con-
tendere this morning to an indictment
charging him with ali assault, and SEN
tence was deferred.
John NJ. Brennan made a formal mo-
tion for arrest OF judgment in the case OF
State VS.. John J.Cavanaugh before Judge
Douglass this morning.
CASES on CALENDAR NOT TRIED.
Tho cases OF Patrick Garvip against
the Union Railroad Company and Of Pat
rick W. Baxter against City of Providence
were by agreement OF counsel passed
when they came up for trial in the COM
-naan plsas- d d4risien- -today.-IH- -the-appei--
late division the case of William O'Brien
vs.. Joseph y. Jenckes, which was on the
QaIfuIar for Trial Uaa ma 4 al cefflad 10