The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-07-24
FINES THE OFFICERS
MAYOR DORIAN TAKES NOTICE OF
REPORTS OF BASE BRU-
TALLY
OF WEST SIDE PATROLMEN.
GETCRELL ESCAPED A FINE BY
DENYING HE HAD ORDERED
FORCE.
WHAT THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE SAYS
The Ducas Street Captain to Re
main Where He Has Won His
UnpOpuIarity.

fetal notice of the atrocities COM
mitted on the residents of his ward
by the members of the police force of
the Ducas street station. Despite the
efforts of the official organs, one of
which passed up the numerous cases
of brutal assaults. and the other of
currences the mayor arrived at the con-
cluSion that something should be done.
If not in the interests of the citizens
of the Sixth ward, at least in the in
terests of his denomination next spring.
A number of cases in which citizens
had been brutally beaten by officers
from the Ducas street station had been
brought to the attention of the mayor.
The police court judges not only dis
charged the men who were arrested
and brought before the court looking
as though they had been run through
threshing machines, but expressed the
opinion that perhaps the officers and
not the prisoners should have been ar
raigned.
So wrought up were the residents OF
the West side over the displays of
brutality by several of the officers at
that station that petition has been
and is now being circulated, asking
for the removal of Capt. Getchell from
the charge of the station on the West
side and the placing of Capt. ROuleau,
now at the central station, in charge.
1t is claimed that this is what caused
the mayor to take immediate action in
the investigation of one of the assault
cases with the intention of heading off
any such petition being presented
Patrolmen Hanley and Hoffman, Of
the Ducas street station, were sum-
moned before the mayor yesterday
morning, and together with Capt. Get
chell, who has charge of the West side
station, visited the mayors Office.
There was a short conference, and the
result was that each Of the policemen
were fined $25 by the mayor. The
reason for this action by the chief
executive of the police force was the
conduct of the two officers in the ar
rest of John Chambeau and Charles
Meyers, which occurred on the West
side several days ago. At the time Of
club by Officer Hanley without the
least provocation. So unprovoked was
the assault that number of citizens
VINO witnessed it, visited the home of
the mayor shortly afterward, and in
sisted that the case be investigated.
This, it was promised by the mayor,
should be done. Yesterday morning the
two officers were sent for and the case
investigated by the mayor. There were
no witnesses present, although the
mayor evidently had fully looked up
the facts in the case. Capt. Getchell
made a statement, as did also the two
officers, and as a result the July pay
Of both Hanley and Hoffman will be
$2o less than usual.
Mayor Doran stated yesterday after
neon to a reporter for the G l o b that
it was simply a case of a foolish police
officer, who did not seem to know his
business, and another one who lost his
temper. The testimony. the mayor said
showed that officer Hoffman had placed
Meyers under arrest for allowing his
horses to stand on the sidewalk.
Meyers refused, however, to stand the
PINCH" and went into a neighboring
saloon. Chambeau was then arrested
by Officer Hoffman, who called the pa
troll wagon and had the prisoner taken
to the station. Some minutes after
ward Hoffman concluded he had made
a mistake in not landing Meyers in
the patrol wagon, particularly as he
had placed him under arrest before he
apprehended Chambeau. He went to
the nearest IelepnOIe anu COHlInuHlCdl-
ed with Capt. Getchell, and on informa-
ton, or rather advice given him, went
back to the saloon and attempted to
arrest Meyers. By this time Officer
Hanley, who had been sent to the scene,
arrived and together the officers enter
ed
The proprietor of the saloon objected
to Meyers being arrested from his
place as he had committed no offense.
Hoffman took charge Of Meyers while
Hanley and the saloonkeeper INDUCED
left the saloon with Meyers, Hanley
concluded to waste no more time with
the saloonkeeper and followed after
Reaching the street Hanley walked up
to Hoffman and the prisoner and
smashed Myers over the head with his
club. This, the mayor said, was about
the facts in the case and under the
circumstances he had fined both the
officers $25, one for not being familiar
with his duties and thereby causing
trouble and the other for losing his
temper.
Asked as to the truth of the report
that Capt Getchell was to be trans
ferred from the Ducas street station
and Capt. Rouleau, Of the central sta
ton, was to take his place, Mayor
Doran said there was nothing in it.
right place. There had been no petit
ton circulated that he had heard of
asking for the transfer, and it would
not be made at any rate.
A member of the council in speaking
of the report as to the transfer, said
he had heard that it was to occur
and he was going to the mayor to do
what he could to prevent 1t. The idea,
the gentleman said, was absurd. If
Mo %