Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-01-22

colder Saturday afternoon; westerly winds.
POLICE COMMISSIONERS regular
meeting of the Board of Police Commits
sioners was held last night. TIE
Mayor presided and all the commits
sioners were present
Before the board proceeded to the
transaction of any routine business
Chief Webster appeared and requested
an examination of certain rumors which
had been set ahoat in the city Incl
dental to the recent raids on the
policy shops; also concerning state
ments made in newspapers call
culated to be misleading. Some of
them, he thought, were re-
Election upon him, while others were
damaging and should have an immedi-
ate denial. At his request number of
gentlemen Were in attendance whom
he desired to interrOgate in the pres
ence of the board. Ex-Msyor Down
ham spoke in praise of Chief Webster.
He said he had known him for many
years and during half a dozen of them
had been associated with him officially
He had ever found him to be trust
worthy otficer-in short just such man
the Mayor of the city would feel
safe in dealing with. Several gen.
tlemen who were present were
chen interrogated as to the ru-
mors which had been set ahoat to the
effect that the chief and lieutenant had
refused to issue warrants upon the ap-
plication of Sergeant Smith. They
were all amply dsproved, the sergeant
himself, who was present, denying that
he ever made such statements. During
the investigation it was shown that the
sergeant had ever enjoyed the conf
dence of the Chief and the Mayor.
CONFERENCE.-The Attorney Marbury
also spoke commendatory OF the chief,
and letters from former Mayors were
submitted testifying to his worth and
integrity.
The investigation showed that Capt.
Webstsrs standing with the Police
Commissioners had been by no meats
impaired by the rumors that had been
circulated.
Lieutenant Smith also desired the
privilege of denying before the board
that he had ever refused to fill out II
warrant when applied 10 for one by the
Sergeant There was no evidence what
ever to suhstantiate any of the reilec-
lions against the lieutenant.
The Sergeant, in explaining his reason
for going outside of the office for war
rants for the raid was, he said, in order
to carry out his plans as secretly rs
possible. He was apprehensive that
some of the parties who loiter about the
station house might become possessed
of the information and either intention
ally or injudicously Illustrate the plan.
He further stated that he had to precip'
itate the raid and had not time to tell
his superior officers until shortly before
he started.
Everything in connection with the
matter having been heard, the commits
sioners, who had no charge against any
one, and who didn't seem to have been
much concerned in idle rumors or
newspaper reflections, were perfectly
satisfied with explanations and, of
course, entertained no distrust of any
one.
The board then proceeded to the
consideration OF regular business. Mr..
Tackett, the secretary, submitted
picture of the new badge to
TO be adopted for the police. 1t is in the
shape of shield, after the pattern OF
the one adopted in Washington. The
badge is to bear the coat of arms of
Virginia with the words Alexandria
Police" One is to have 'chief," an
other lieutenant" and third 'Ser-
geantn on them. Chief Webster was
called into the room and the intention
of the board explained to him. The
chief suggested that the present badges
would be used for extra policemen.
Commissioners Lindsey, from the
First ward, was sworn in for term of
four years.
The suggestion having been made in
connection with the late raid that
some danger was apprehended in pro-
curing warrant lest its object might be
exposed by persons, not in official posi-
tons, being in the station house at the
time, it was unanimously determined
that in future the rule providing for the
exclusion Of all persons from the STA
ton house not connected with the po-
lice department would be rigidly en-
forced, and the chief, lieutenant and
sergeant ordered to see that the rule
was carried out to the letter.
The rule making it obligatory upon
the members of the police force to sup
press gambling and all other misde
meanors in their beats will also be rigid
" enforced and the delinquents held
responsible to the board.
1t was also unanimously aged that
in future all warrants needed by the
members of the police force must Ia
procured from the station house.
Sergeant Smith, by aunanimous vote
of the board, was commended for the
success of his Thursdays raid on The
policy shops in this city.
Nothing further occurring the board
adjourned.
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