The morning times., 1897-02-24
NEWS FROM ALEXANDRIA
The Charges Against William Web
ster Dismissed.
Sergeant Smith and Officer Fer
guson Suspended d-Pruceedings
OF the City Council.

Alexandra, Feb. 23.-An investigation
was leidby Mayor Thompson at noon today
into the charges preferred against Constable
William Webster. TO the effect that he had
in his possession, or knew OF the where
abouts OF, watch stolen from Harry
Smoot The circumstances leading up to
tie examination were told in tlIs mornings
Times
4 number of witnesses were put on the
stand, including Capt. Herbert Bryan and
Mr.. Noble Lindsey, police COMMISSIONERS.
The whole matter hinged on a letter writ
ten by Mr. William Smoot recently To
Police Sergeant Smith, aud which, the testi-
mony proved, had been shown to the two
police commissioners. The letter reflected
on Constable Webster, and stated that a
prophecy uttered by Sergeant Smith 10 the
effect that Mr.. Webster had the watch
seemed to be true
Capt Bryan testified that lie lad been
slown the letter 10y Sergt Smith, and MI.
Lindsey stated that the letter had been
brought TO him by Officer Ferguson. sergt.
Smith and Officer Fergus on admitted haY'
ing slown the letter To the cnmissioners,
and MT Smoot admitted having wlItten
it, but in his Conversations with the con
stable he gave no intimauon that any
quest .onable proposition had been made
Several other witnesses were examined,
but there was TO evidence adduced TO sub
stautiate the charges made against Mr..
Webster aud he was dismissed
Mayor Thompson then suspended Sergt.
Smith and officer Ferguson from the force
for thirty DAYS S Il Brent and John ii.
Greene represented Nj Webster, and MIR,
Leonard Marbury appeared for the com
mopwealth officer Charles Goods has
been appointed TO act as sergeant, and
Officer Hall has been assigned TO duty
at police headquarters in Mr.. Ferguson
place.
A short session Of the city council was
held tonight. A resolution, offered by
Mr.. Greene, for the appropriation of 5000
for an Improvement on North Patrick street,
was referred to the committee on streets,
a 5 was also a recommendation for an i'm
proycment to a public sewer in Market
alley. The recommendation of the joint
committees on finance and public property
for the releasing OF certain lots OF ground
TO Messrs William A. Smoot * Co, for
a term of five years, with the proyiso
that the property would be vacated on
ninety days notice in the event or a
sale, was also laid over.
The new rear wheels recently made by
Messrs. Summers & Brother, were placed
on the Columbia fire engine today.
MI Birdie Robbins, former student uf
ST Johns Academy, is visiting friends in
this city
Horace Williams, who was arrested this
morning in the yard Of Albert Chainey, on
pevton street, was fined SO by Mayor
Thompson today. The twelve traups
who were arrested yesterday for tres
passing on railroad property, were released
on promising to leave the city.
The board Of supervisors Of Alexandria
county met here today to consider the
matter of making an appropriation for
openiug a new road from the proposed eN-
tension Of Prince street to the LeeSburg
nike. The road has already been ordered
by the county court, and the matter Of
an appropriation was referred to the
Supervisors Col. F. L. Smith and Mr. \.
". Armstrong appeared today for those in
favor Of the road, and Mir John NJ. john
son for those opposed To such road.
After hearing arguments the board ap-
prove,i the order OF the court and deter
mined to make the appropriation when
the city council of Alexandria shall order
the extension OF Prince street.
The appeal made in behalf Of Joseph
Clark. who was recently convicted of an
attempted criminal assault on his sister-in-
law. and who was sentenced to nine years
IN the nenitcnriary, has been formally with
drawn. and the prisoner will be taken to
Richmond