The Portland daily press., 1897-11-09

\NWN
George S. Staples.
constituting the department of public
council, not the aldermen alone, shall
have power to inquire into the doings of
the commissioner Of public works.
Thus there was specific law which
urged that the charges should be heard
before the city council. Therefore he
would urge that the hearing .beSnot held
before the aldermen alone. II urge it,
also" said Judge Symonds, because
1t is fairer proceeding. It is right for
Mr.. Staples to feel that he has had fair
trial; it Is right that the public should
feel that he has had fair trial, and
above all If you condemn him,you should
feel that 1t Is done. justly"
Alderman Kehoe asked whether this
was meant as an objection to a hearing
before the board.
Judge Symonds replied that Mr.. Staples
was ready to go forward. The point was
merely raised as one that the aldermen
would wish to consider. He would pre-
law specified; but should be content to
go on as the aldermen should direct.
Alderman Kehoe thought that this was
q late hour to bring up point like this.
Judge Symonds replied that the pro.
ceedings before the committee were in
proceedings to which they were not
party. "We were not sumInonedEand had
no opportunity to appear" aid Judge
Symonds .'As soon as the charges were
made we answered promptly and are here
at the first opportunity to present ou..
case.''
Here Judge Alderman Rounds rose
and said the messenger had been diGzcted
to tell Mr.. Staples that the committee were
to meet to talk over charges against him
and that they notified him In order that
he might be present. Then Nv. Rounds
read from the city ordinances to show
that the aldermen were acting properly.
Here Mayor Randall started to put the
question to determine the question in
issue; but Alderman Kehae raised the
point that the board had already decided
| to go ahead. -4~
THEN ALDERMAN ROUNDS MOVED
that the hearing proceed, and it wan SO
| voted without dissent.
At this point after tes transaction of
some routine business, the board ad-
| journed to the supreme court room in Of
der that the large crowd of spectators
might be better accommodated. That
room was filled. Mayor Randall and City
Clerk Dyer occupied che clerks desk,
| while the aldermen sao at a table within
the bar. Mr.. Staples seS with his counsel
near the table at which the aldermen sat.
Behind and around tae crowd filed all
he seats.
The assemblage hassing come to order
City Solicitor Morrill, began the
PRESENTATION OF. THE CHARGES
Aftersrelating the labors of the investi-
cation committee, composed of Aldermen
Rounds, Leighton and Mcdonald, he pro-
ceeded to read the charges and reply in
full, as they were published in the
PRESS Monday morDing.
| The calling of the witnesses next be-
gan. When the long list had been read
there were fully 25 men in line to take
the oath which City Clerk Dyer admin
istered.. er
| JAMES EDWARD KENNARD
for four years in charge of the oity
stables, was called fist. He said he knew
of nothing having been taken from the
city stables But he did recollect that
a horse with blanket had been taken
away. He remembered nothing about a
cart. Mr. Morrill, asked whether he had
not testified that cart No. II was away.
He said that he did not remember that he
had. After some questioning he admitted
| that he had heard some Of the drivers say
that the cart was gone. 1t was not his
business to look out for carts. He had
heard that the sanitary company had haG
a cart but did not knew it of his OWE
knowledge
do you say that you are sure, on youl
oath. that you do not know that car was
taken away?' said Mr.. Morrill,.
ss'' Yes, think 1 am sure" d" replied the
witness while the crowd laughed.
The inquiry next took turn toward
the hay,now and oat bin. Some poor
hay had been bought onoe but MIR. Staples
had stopped buying that kind when noti-
fiel. Some oats also that were hauled in
a super phosphate car smelled badly.
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