The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-02-12
FIREMAN ALIENS TRIAL
Said He Went Into a Saloon
Because He Had a
Cough.

m~lssioners last evening was principally
devoted to the trial of James Allen. driver
OF Engine Co. No. u. on charges preferred
by Chief Conway. on being absent from
uuty without leave on February 2, and
violating the rules of the department by
being in a liquor saloon In uniform. The
case was surrounded with peculiar circum-
stances.
The charges were made to Assistant
Engineer Denmead by Citizens Edward
Coyne and Thomas Heating, both OF
whom signed The allegation, and the Chief
was obliged under the rules to present
the charges to the Board. The specifica-
|stions alleged that Allen during his tour
of duty absented himself from the ngIne
house and was drinking and quarrelsome
in the LIQUOR saloon of John McMahon on
summit e adjoining the engine
house.
Police Justice Douglass appeared as
counsel for Allen and instructed the ac-
cused to- plead not guilty that the facts
of the case might be brought OUT.
Edward Coyne. one of the compliments,
testified that on the night in question be-
tween eleven and twelve o'clock, he, in
company with Thomas Heating. went into
McMahon's saloon and there found Allen
and three other firemen in uniform. He
invited Allen to take a drink and he did
SO. Coyne and Heating remained in the
saloon about twenty minutes. and Allen.
who was there when they entered, stayed
there all that time. and was still there
when they left. On examination by
Judge Douglass and Commissioner Cone,
Coyne denied that he is a drinking man;
he had drunk nothing that day. and in
McMahon's took only ginger ale.
COMMISSIONS Cone asked the witness
what inspired him to make these charges.
President Mills said he would like to
made whether there was malice or not
as long as Allen was In the saloon in
violation of the rules.
Coyne denied that he had any malice.
and also that he signed any paper at Fire
Headquarters making charges againstAllen
purporting to come from Mrs. Ryan, wife
said he knew nothing of any such paper.
but knew his name was down as a witt
ness.
Coyne further said that the other fire.
men in the saloon belonged to Nos. 4
and y Engines. He did not know either
names, but could have found out If he
none of his business what time he went
homo nights. After a severe questioning
he admitted he had "a little against AZ
Thomas Heating made the same state
ment in regard to finding Allen in the
saloon and seeing him drink. He never
had any unpleasantness with Allen and
did not know that the relations between
Allen and Ryan were not friendly.
For the defendant Benjamin Beeeher,
member of Engine Company No. 10,
testified. that he was very sick In the
engine. house with a cold on the night
of February and Allen volunteered to
go out to get something to relieve his
cough and returned in a short time and
said he could not get it; didn't know that
he again left the house.
John Mcmahon said that his saloon
was not open until after twelve O'Clock
or Sunday night, and it was after that
hour when Coyne and Heating come
there. and that Allen was not there
cit all and had not been in the saloon
during the last year and a half.
in McMahon's saloon. When he went
out to get the medicine he met Coyne
and Heating on the sidewalk in front
of the engine house. They talked to-
gether, burt had nc hard words
way stated that he had known Allen
about three years.. that his reputation
is first class and is not a man who me-
| elects his duty. He made the charges
ION Information received and had NO
Judge Douglass asked for a dismissal
of the charges and exoneration of the
accused, as it was evident the charges
were made through personal spite and
prejudice.
Commissioner Brennan said that some
one was lying; 1t was evidently a lying
match and it was the business of the
BOARD to find out to fasten the lie and
the liars.
The Board further considered the ease
in secret session, but arrived at no de.
cision. Allen was ordered by the Chief
to report for duty.