Omaha daily bee., 1897-07-20
OVCRSTEPS HIS AUTHORITY
SCotts Injunction in the Cox Case i
Discussed.
COURT PUTS ITSELF ABOVE THE STATE
Fire ana Police Commissioners of the
Opinion TINT Judge Has No
Right TO Interfere in RE-
moyai of officers.

AS it has for many meetings past. the
question of appointing new chief of police
occupied few minutes of the time of the
Board Of Fire and Police Commissioners
last night One reason that greater time
was not devoted to 1t was that the entire
board was not present, Commissioner Greg
ory and Mayor Moores being absent. The
latters place was occupied by Acting Mayor
Bingham.
Another cause for non-action in the chief
fancy matter was the injunction issued by
Judge Scott in the Cox case, In which he
enjoined the board from interfering with
the obstructive chief of detectives In any
manner or for any reason until the case is
heard in the September term of court. This
action appeared, however, to have aroused
some antagonism in the breast OF at least
one of the commissioners, who when
asked whether it would not prevent the
board from appointing new chief an
swered:
well, l don't know. 1t seems to me that
1t Is about time for us to buck the court.
The legislature gave us the power to control
the police department and to make removals
for inefiicency. BY preventing us from do
ing 1t, it apepars to me that Judge Scott
is putting himself above the state. At any
rate, he ought to have set the hearing on
an early date instead of putting 1t off for
couple of months.
Cox also came up for share of the
boards attention. He made a formal de-
mand through Chief OF Police Sigwart that
he be put on duty at once, incidentally
drawing in Judge Scott's injunction pre-
venting the board from interfering with
him in the performance of his alleged duties.
He wanted to go to work today. As the
sleuth is still limping about on one leg as
result of his encounter with Council
Bluffs motorman, the board decided that 1t
would never do to have him impair his
health by doing work and therefore in
structed the chief not to put him on duty
The hearing on the charges filed against
Cox was continued until next week.
BLOOMS DEMAND ON FILE
| Ex-Detectve Blooms name appeared again
| at the end of a communication. He put In
| a claim for $40 his salary from May Is
I to July g. inclusive, at the rate OF $40
month He set out that when he was dis,
charged the first time on the first mentioned
! date, the discharge was void tie admitted
! that the discharge on the last date was all
! right but alleged that salary for the time
that interviewed was due him. therefore
/ he demanded that the board recommend that
! the comptroller place his name on the ap-
preparation sheet and that 1t also recon-
mend that the city pay the money Inc
| communication placed on file.
! The early part of the session was occupied
! with a hearing on the charges hled against
. Patrol Conductor OBrien. IN whlch ne was
( accused of abusing his wife on June ~ "A
| lot of his neighbors, one of whom MED the
charges appeared against him. but his own
wife testified in his behalf The board re-
served a decision until next MONDAY.
| Officer John Rector was granted ten DAYS
| leave of absence. Fireman Robert HICKS
was given a vacation Of like length.
! William r. Bohan, George f. CuSlck anu
! Jcseph Hengen iremen who have peeh on
probation. we're appointed permanently on
I the fire force. , 80 49,,
The patrol box formerly located on the
old fort grounds was ordered removed 10
/ reouest was received that the hearing
Of Mrs. Galigan's application for pension
| be set for an early date. No action was
| taken. ,,o, q. draw $40
| Officer Dbbern was allowed 10 LA ss $o $or
sicls beneat from the police relief fund lor
| the month of June.