The times., 1897-12-04

brigldenet. up considerably as soon as he
got away from the atmosphere of the
courts.
l. il said that this decision of Judge
Bri dIeys settles Williams case finally,
beyond the possibility Of a reopening; that
Williams is absolutely safe, and thai there
is HOW ne possibility that any of the money
taken WIZ ever tie recovered. The de
cision OF the court in addition, is so sweep
ing that it is believed no Indictment
could be framed now, even If Williams Lad
news been tried, that w"dlG hold htIt.
Williams was suspected, and then dis
missed IL August or last year; On Au
gust - he was arrested. he hal been an
officer OF the poiice court FOR many years,
his duties being 10 collect and turn over
the fines TO the District. He did not
turn n7er the full amount 10 tue District
The indictments, OF which there were
seven, charged him with embeZzing -, 0oo.
The auditor found q sLertage of $12, GOO.
Not penny Of all this money has ever
been recovered.
There were long delays in Williams
case Three grand Juries voted to indict
hifn before the district attorney saw fit 10
pfcbale the Indictment. II was known al
the time that there were grave difficulties
in Tia case for the District which might
be insurmountable. The trial did not take
place until more than u year had elapsed
after his discovery
When tie tr.al took place, Williams vas
found not guilty oh six of the counts ard
guilty Oh the seventh, which covered The
smallesr of the mounts, SI.53 only. All
the indictments were alike. aud wny his
verdict was rendered is also ore of tie
peculiar things in the case.
1t is suggested at the District Building
that the outcome of this trial VIII act as
a grave and salutary warning to the
authorities of the irregularity of the
methods pursued in this and perhaps other
offices under the District government.
Attertion is called to the fact that
the superintendent of police, Major William
| G. Moore, is not bonded by the Commission
| ers, as is required by law.
| 1t is said that the law making his office
| bonded one was framed expressly with
| the object in view Of making him account
| able for such losses which ppa rently can
not be recovered in any other way. The
| facts about Major Moore's bond are pecI-
| liar. He has been arranging to give bond
| for some weeks, and would have complied
| with the law within a few days. The put
| come of the Williams trial will probably
| hasten him in his resolve.
Some weeks ago Auditor Petty, in the
| overhauling which is now going ON of the
| various offices and methods in the Dis
| trict discovered that many officers are
required to be bonded, and have failed to
| comply with the law. In one case an
| officer was bonded thirty years ago and
his three bondsmen are now long since
| dead.
The law in the revised statutes relating
to the Officers Of the police department is
10 the effect that the ior and lieutenants
"shall give security To the board OF police
This board OF police has since given way
to the District Commissioners, but the e.
! quirements as TO bonds are still obligatory.
The leutenants are all bonded 1t tie
! present time, but Maiof. Moore through
inadvertenee, has never had a bondSman.
Auditor Petty, Commissioner Wight and
Major Moore had consultation yeSter'lay y
afternoon over this question Tie bond
required is apparently in such sum as the
! Commissioners shall see fit to agree Ipun
1t was decided at this conference that
$1,000 Will be the proper bond for Major
Moore to give.
The other officers of the District who
have never been bonded or whose hondl
have run ont will be required Immediately
TO comply With the law.
Auditor Petty, in his report on the vii
liams case, made November IT, 1896, said
The law imposes the duty of collecting
fines con jointly upon the United States lIar
shall ana the ma jor Of police. This seems
natural and proper in the case of the mar
shal, who is heavily bonded with view
TO just such responsibilities, but no gooC
mis- apparent why requirement 50 out
Of harmony with the other multifagiou
and important duties constantly olamin:
lis attention should be imposed upon tn
ma jor of police. / am of opinion, there
} fore, that he should be relieved Of thi
duty and the law so amended as to pro id,
: for the appointment OF a bonded collecto
with good and sufficient sureties, and 70
regular and thorough audit of his ac
counts
e / In his annual report for 1897. made