Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-04-15

Honully. but against the Police Com
mission-respecting the conduct of the
Police Department, which j was then
carefully investigating, and that 1
would givo him my decision before
Issued the commission to any other
person, ! Informed him that there were
numerous other candidates for the
position, but that l did not intend 10
have the whole town stirred up by the
efforts OF any one to secure recon;
meudations. 1 stated that the Gsgia-
lature bud seen fit to take the appoint
ment from .he mayor and Governor.
the political departments of the city
and State goyernments-and to impose
that duty upon me as member Of the
judiciary. and, against my wish and
express protest; that, therefore, in
tended to keep it free from partisan or
factional Influences. and to act accord
ing to my best judicial judgment and
discretion; that any Other course would
arouse partisan and factional hostility
and prove prejudicial TO both tho
judiciary and the public welfare.
II, therefore, informed Mr.. Mona
CHAN that / did not want him, or any
other applicant for the appointment. to
PApSA'ps uio Soho
delegations to me upon the subject. 1
urged that he should keep calm and
not allow either himself or his friends
to get excited and raise popular camor
over the matter. assured him that
would carefully investigate the com
plaints and do the best | could with a
very unpleasant situation. / told him
desired to retain him, il possible,
hut that IL bad TO make any change
II would DO solely because my judicial
duty would make it unavoidable. /
stated that, ut that stage of my in
quiry, could not say what would be
obliged to do. but that would cer-
tainly give him my decision before the
appointment of any other person.
Accordingly, wrote him note. in
viting him to call at the Court House
on Saturday morning, March Goth,
that he might bear, il he desired, of
my decision and my reasons therefor.
MR.. MONAGHAN SENSITIVE.
"As Mr.. Monaghan, in his previous
interview with me. had manifested
great aensitiveness about the appoint
ment of anyone else, and considered
that this would be a reflection upon
him personally, naturally desired to
convince him that the change was
made on official and not upon personal
grounds. l explained that the COM
plants were against the Police Com
mission officially and not against the
members individually, and that l had
become thoroughly convinced, after
several weeks OF inquiry in all
directions, Rmung the different par
tics and citizens connected with the
subject, and having opportunity to
| know the facts-from officials and
| others--that it would be best in the
| present iuncture to make change in
the commission. ! stated, in kindness,
that my duty was unpleasant, but that
/ would have 10 do the same if any OF
\ the other commissioners terms had
| stating the facts, which l had learned
as the result fssmy investigation. and
/ that, owing to these, 1t was my un-
avoidable duty, US a Judge in the lis
charge OF the duty imposed upon me
by the act creating the Police Com
mission in 1893. to make change of
once in the composition Of the board.
Mr.. Monaghan replied as follows
Judge. see that you cannot help 1t,
and shall not esteem you the less for
4 tuIs iluk1
| "This, surely, Mr.. Monaghan cannot
deny. During our entire conversation
Mr.. Monaghan's manner was through
out friendly and courteous He uttered
| not word of objection to anything
said, neither were there any OF the
uncivil Interruptions which are put in
his mouth by the Star article. All
these alleged impolite utterances, as
well as those in relation to religious
creed, are pure fabrications of the
writer of that report. They naver
occurred between Mr.. Monaghan and
myself. They are mere stringing to.
eether of the town gossip which has
been put in circulation by designing
persons since / discharged a public
duty that was manifest to all because
scandalous facts OF public notoriety
made my action unavoidable, aud
which could not overlook or evaue
without justly forfeiting my own self.
respect and tine confidence OF the pub
| lie in tho judiciary of which / am 9
| member.
( | SIN Mr.. Monaghan's conversation
with me tho curr3nt political rumol
that Mr. Willard Salisbury was taking
an active part in preventing bis re-
appointment was mentioned. | tolG
Mr.. Monaghan tLat this was unjust tt
both myself and to Mr.. salisbury, ant
that, while Mr.. Sausbury's profes
sional and social relations with mt
were very cordial. neither he nor an,
other lawyer or social friend has ever
presumed to influence my judicia
action by any such considerations
therefore urged him to pay no attention
to such mlschievous talk, as there wal
no truth in it. | assured him that, al
matter Of fact, Mr.. Salisbury hac
never spoken 10 me about the appoint
ment to tho Police Commission until
had first asked him what truth thert
was in the complaints which otherl
had brought to me concerning il, anc
that had actually appointed Mr.. Har
instead OF the candidates recommends
by Mr.. Salisbury and other prominen
political leaders here.
"Mr. Monaghan left me with the re
mark have already quoted. showing
that he felt | was doing my iudicia
duty under very unpleasant circum
stances, and that was endeavoring {,
show him the utmost consideration ant
!, kindness in performing 1t. / am there
fore surprised to find the article in thi
MORNINGS Star. Its contents are un
just to both Mr.. Monaghan and my
SELF Since leaving me his sentiment
have certainly bsen changed, by eithe
unwise frienas or designing mischie
| makers. Instead Of authorizing one D
| our naryenhne 10 reflect upon him