Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-03-18

missicners last night were of an animal.
ed nature, and resulted in conflict q
authority between q majority of the
members and the Mayor.
After the reading OF the proceedings
of the previous meeting the report OF
Chief Webster for the month was read
The chief referred in this to the fact
that Sergeant Smith and Officer Fergu.
son had been suspended on the Oath oil
February for thirty days for gross in.
subordination ana contempt for the
Mayor and their superior officers. This
item Of the report precipitated a spirit
ed deba which lasted for an hour OF
more.
The Mayor, after the report had been
read, stated that he had nothing special
10 report to the board, when questions
as TO The cause of the suspension of the
two officers were propounded to the
Mayor by Messrs. Lindsey, Taokett and
Bryant 10 a manner which led him to
suppose it was the opinion of those
gentlemen that his action was to be re-
viewed by The board and either affirm
ed or revoked. The Mayor respect
fully Informed those gentlemen that his
procedure in regard to the suspended
officers WAS matter with which they
had nothing 10 do; that he had dealt
with the accused as he would with any
other officers of the city under similar
circumstances; that they had been
guilty Of contempt to MIN as Mayor,
had insulted his position, and the board
hsd no Jurisdiction in the case.
1t was contended, however, by these
gentlemen that The board should try all
charges against officers; that the Mayor
could not pick out certain offenses and
punish for the same summarily; that
the board should be the judges in cases
of contempt or insubordination; that the
suspended officers should be present
aud their side of the story heard. They
also said the Mayors action had been
a reflection on them, as was also his
refusal To bring the matter before the
board.
Mayor Thompson stated that it had
been his rule heretofore when an officer
was charged with neglect of duty, dis
obedience OF orders, drunkenness, &C.,
TO report the offender to the board and
have them act collectively; that it was
his purpose to continue to do so; but
when officers treated him with gross
contempt by acts of INSTRUMENTATION in
his own Office he did not propose to be-
come suppliant to the Police Board for
redress, but as Mayor would deal with
the offenders summarily. He further
stated that Sergeant Smith had been
guilty twice of the same otiense within
a period of one month, and recited the
circumstances in connection with the
raid on the policy dealers when the
Sergeant escaped with reprimand.
The commissioners, he suggested, did
not have the power they supposed they
possessed If they did they would make
the Mayor simply figureheed, as it
would be impossible to preserve disci-
pline on the force, if he suspended o
man aud they reinstated him.
The three commissioners still main
tanned that the Mayor did not have the
power OF suspension in the manner in
which ne understood it, that he merely
could suspend until meeting OF the
board, when they would determine
whether or not he did right.
The Mayor read the law, which pro,
vldes that the executive of the city can
suspend for a period not exceeding
thirty days, or until meeting OF the
board. He took the ground he could
do either-that is, suspend for definite
time for an otfense, or turn the offend"
er over TO the board.
The discussion proceeded for some
time, neither seeming disposed to re-
treat from the positions assumed, when
Mr.. Lindsey offered the following:
"The board having duly investigated
the charges of misconduct for which
James T. Smith and VIM. Ferguson
were suspended on February "a by the
Mayor, doth set aside such suspension
of said officers, and orders that said Of
6cers report for duty forthwith.
Mr.. Strauss spoke in favor of sustain.
ING the Mayor in his action, and argued
that should the resolution pass no DIS
cipline could be maintained on the
force. He also referred TO several Is
sues he had when Mayor.
Mavor Thompson refused to enter
tain the resolution, and told the board
they could do what they pleased, as he
would not preside over such deiibera-
tions.
MIR. Bryant took the chair and vote
on the adoption of the resolution re-
suited For Messrs. Lindsey, Bryant
and Tackett--3 Against, Mr.. Strauss
The secretary was then directed te
instruct the Mayor to reinstate the two
men forthwith, but the Mayor POSITIVELY
refused to do so, and minated hi
would sign no warrants for their pay
1t was then decided TO direct the Chic
of Police TO carry out the order.
The meeting later adjourned, atte
which Mayor Thompson had an inter
view with Corporation Attorney Brent
The latter gentleman (who furnished
written opinion TO day. is clearly OF th'
impression that the Mayors standpoint
is correct.
Mayor Thompson subsequently for
babe the Chief from carrying out thu
orders of the board. The commissioner
say they want their powers defined
and if they are mere hgureheads the,
want TO know it. The Mayor is anXiou
also to know whether he is to pose a
executive in name only.
Chief Webster to day sent g letter t
the commissioners stating that he de
clined to carry out the orders of tn
board for the reason that the Mayo
had forbidden him to do so under pail
of suspepson: besides the writtel