Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-06-22

hours session Of the Board of Police
Commissioners at the Mayors Office
last night to Investigate charges pre-
ferred against Officer Weston Atkinson
by Mr.. Eugene Taylor. Mayor Thomp-
son presided, and all the commissioners
we're present. The accused was repre-
sented by MIR. A w. Armstrong. Mr..
Taylor desired to have Mr.. s. G. Brent
present in his interests, but the board
by q vote of 8 to (Mr. Strauss) re.
fused to accede to the request. Mr..
TAYLOR then asked to be allowed to
cross. examine the witnesses, and the
privilege was granted him.
Mr.. Taylor then made his charge,
and in doing so began at the origin of
the trouble between himself aud the
accused. On the night of the 10th in
slant the complainant was sitting in
the door leading to the Fairfax Club
room on Washington street. He saw
tramp run past him. The man WAS
pursued by Mr. Atkinson, and the for
mer upon reaching the alley adjoining
the NJ. ?. Church fell. Mr.. Taylor al.
legged that Mr.. Atkinson applied an
ugly epithet to the mau more than
once and when ne fell repeated the
offensive words aud kicked the
PROSTATE man several times. The
complainant, after hearing Mr.. Akin
son use the language and kick the
tramp, criticised his action at the time
as unnecessarily severe. On Thursday
night Mr. Taylor entered the Mayors
Office for the purpose OF going into the
court room where the ward meeting
was being held. He alleged that MIR.
Atkinson blocked his way and said
owe been looking for you. Did you
say cursed the tramp arrested on
the night OF the 10th and kicked him
while he was down ?" Mr.. Taylor re-.
piled in the affirmative, when, he al.
legged, Mr.. Atkinson called him id
liar. The complainant retorted In a
like manner, when MIR. Atkinson
brushed his hand in his face and showed
him off. Mr.. Taylor pushed MIR. At
kinson and invited the officer down
stairs, but the latter did not 60, and
later Mr.. Atkinson refused to tell Mr..
TAYLOR who was on duty at the station
house when asked to do 80.
A number of witnesses were exam.
ined as to the officers conduct on the
occasion of the arrest of the tramp,
among them the man himself, who COR
roborated Mr.. Taylor's statement, as
did also Mr.. VIM. Wattles and two
gentlemen named Johnson and Rounds,
who were at Mr.. Pstterson's stables,
across the street, at the time.
Mr.. Atkinson in his statement denied
the charges as urged by MIR. Taylor,
and alleged that the complainant was
the sggressor; that Mr.. Taylor called
him a liar first and brought on the diff
Guilty.
A large number of witnesses were ex-
amin ed concerning the scene on Wash.
ington snd King streets on the night OF
the arrest of the tramp. Mr.. w. +.
Carne, who was crossing Washington
street at King at the time, heard Mr..
Atkinson call upon the man to halt but
heard no cursing. Others. among them
Chief Webster and Lieut.. Smith, testi-
fed that they never heard Mr.. Akin
son use profanity.
The testimony being all in Mr.. Arm
stronr addressed the board in behalf OF
his client, and was followed by Mr..
Taylor. The latter said he was not de-
sirous of any severe punishment being
sngicted on MIR. Atkinson. He had
been rudely treated, and he, as law
abiding citizen, had reported the mat
ter to the commissioners. He did not
want him dismissed from the force, nor
did he want any radical measures tax,
en-. but he thought the MISTER should
be disposed of in such manner as to
prevent a repetition of the conduct
complained OF.
The audience Was thsn dismissed
and the board proceeded to consider
the charges. Various suggestions were
made as to the manner of disposing OF
the case, and it was finally agreed that
the case be referred to the Mayor for
mis- reprimand.
This morning Mr.. Atkinson was sum
sooned in front of the desk. Before the
Mayor proceeded with the repIlmandIl
4he officer asked permission ITO lay OF
nntiI the end of the month" The
Mavor asked his reasons therefor,
which Mr.. Atkinson was 10th TO give.
After a few seconds interval the Mayor
said ,.,h Tho
BOARD of Police Commissioners TO &C
minister to you a reprimand Tor ruos
conduct toward Mr.. Eugene Taylor al
the station house on the night OF the
18th instant. Is it your purpose 10 re-
oeiye the reprimand or mott"
The accused signified his willingness
IN a., so. and the Mayor addressed him
as follows:
Office, WESTON Atkinson: The Board o.
Police Commissioners. after hearing Tue
charges preferred agsinst you by MT EuseHe
Tavjor of insolence and assault ana Tue oSi
dence produced, have concluded that you e1
Saded vour authority on the night OF the
I'm instant in the manner in which you az
coated Mr.. Taylor, snd while they are aveI S
20 prescribing any severe punishment III IN.
case il being the first charge brought agains'
Won. they deem it rnwise to allow tAe nia.1ei
to drop without seAsona6ie aomon' syo'
Thst YOU we're guilty Of aninfractlon OF poncs
rules. which demsnd courtesy from ohieett
coward oitigens in the streets OF IN tho stasion
house. il clear to the board, and that you,
while in the service, must avoid repetition
OF the offense is their imperative demand.
EPISCOPAL HIGH SCHOoL.-The join!
final celebration of the Fairfax and
= r ;2o.o,- Goniotiao Of the