The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-08-06

not been drinking. Street Commission
er Kinsley gave similar evidence.
Block in his own behalf denied the
charge in whole and in part and swore
he was between New and Phelps streets
during the time when the two Roches
swore they had seen him.
Chief Of Police Robling said that
John C. Roche IN passing his (the chief's)
house on Tuesday, July IA, had asked
him If he knew Block had been drink
ing and off his beat during the preced-
ing night Chief Robling notified Mayor
Bailey of the report and the latter sug-
gested that inasmuch as no formal
or written charge had been made that
Block be questioned. To Chief Robling,
Block said he would surrender his star
if one witness would testify that he
had drank even one glass of liquor that
night. John c. Roche told Chief Rob
ling during the afternoon preceding the
night when Councilman Roche made
his charge that he was sorry the charge
had been made and it ought to be
dropped Roche said further that he
had only heard that the accused was in
toxicated.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE.
Chief Robling explained Blocks alb
sence from the Capouse avenue beat by
explaining that he had been transferred
to the Penn avenue beat after II o'clock.
That was the conclusion of the testi-
mOny.
The committee retired for few min
utes to the mayors private Office. When
they re-appeared it was to inform
Mayor Bailey that they had found no
grounds for the charges and would so
report to the next meeting of select
council.
Mr.. Roche, before retiring from the
meeting. gave out the following senti-
ment as defining his positions:
| desire to give to the public my pnr-
pose in reporting officer Block to the
councils. Block was reported to the chief
of police some time before and he was de-
clared not guilty by the mayor and chief
without giving the gentleman who made
the complaint an opportunity to prove
the charges Not the slightest intimation
that his presence was wanted or when a
hearing would take place was given to
the complainant and he then complained
to me as the councilman in whose ward
the thing occurred.
Taking this case in connection with an
| other of which 1 had knowledge came to
| the conclusion that the mayor ought to
| be given an object lesson and In way
| that would leave an impression. There
fore determined to make the charge pub
| licy, prove 1t publicly and make this state
ment.
The other case referred to was where a
| policeman made improper proposals to a
| respectable woman in brutally vulgar
| manner. The charge was proven and this
policeman then attempted to ruin the rep
utation of this honest wife. This Is a
pretty serious crime. Men have been shot
| for similar crimes and juries have said
| Justly so. Think of 1t husbands. Your
| wife insulted by public officer sworn and
paid to protect her! And the penalty i'm
posed upon this officer and our mayor
was-removed from the force in disgrace
oh no, 1t was suspension from duty for
one day, and the policeman Is still serv-
| ing the city.
Do you wonder now that l took the
course pursued by me in this case. Had
| the circumstances been different at tho
| time of making the complaint 1t would
have been worded differently, but | was
provoked at the time because two Repub.
| lican councilmen who knew these facts
| as well as / did were by hate. slander and
villifcation successful in defeating can
didate for policeman infinitely superior 10
either Of themselves.