The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-08-04
ONE POLICEMAN KICKS
JAMES O'BRIEN, THE MARGARET
STREET STATIONS JAILER
Served Three Years In the Union
Army and Claims He Is Entitled
to- Hold His Position, as No
Charge of IncOmpetency Has
Been Made Against Him-Sends
an Appeal to the Assembly.

an appear the Assembly.
Mayor Kiefer, as we'll as the members Of
the council, were notified yesterday that one
removed as per the order Tuesday night
would not stand for his removal.
The patrolman who protested against action
being taken to discharge him without charges
of misconduct or incompetency being made
is James O'Brien, who is now doing duty as
Jailer at the Margaret street station. Yes
terday morning. as soon as Mr.. y Brien mad
perused The G e. and saw that he was
one of the members of the force who had
been removed by the mayor, he had prepared
the following document, copies of which were
properly served, one on Mayor Kiefer and
the other the city clerk. The one left
with the city clerk will be read at the meet
ing of the assembly this evening, and before
action is taken on the removals. if Mr..
copy of the communication served on Mayor
Kiefer:
To the Mayor and Common Council of tae
City of St. Paul-Gentlemen: In the IN
ofHcial published reports Of the proceedings
on Aug. 2. 1898. 1 notice a communication
the police force of the city Of St. Paul, and
requesting that the council concur in my
removal.
1 desire to respectfully notify yeu that
was member of Company H, Tenth Mime
sofa volunteers, during the War of the Re-
bellion from the 18th day of August, 1862, IN
all of said time Union soldier, ard on
which last mentioned date L was honorably
discharged.
l. therefore, claim that according to the
provisions of section seal of the General
Statues of the State of Mnnesota. 1894,
am entitled to retain my position a police
officer of the city of St. Paul during good
conduct, or until l am in fact incapacitatsd
for the performance of my duties such.
-, During the past four years 1 have fl lei
the position of jailOr Of the Margaret street
station. 1 understand that charge of
misconduct or incompetency has been brought
against me, and l. therefore, claim that the
attempt to remove me is contrary to law.
l would have taken an earlier opportunity
to notify your honorable body and his honor
Mayor Kiefer, of my claims in tbs respect
had | been aware of the mayors intentions
concerning me. My first notice of his de-
termination to remove me. however, was as
l have already sad the publication in the
daily papers of this morning. Very Rescect-
fully yours. james Obi n.
Mayor Kiefer, seen by Glob e reporter
last evening, said he did not care to dis
cuss the matter Of removals from the po-
lice force Being informed that the officers
sought to be removed claimed that charging
them with being removed for the good of
the service and the welfare of the city, wa4
unfair and gave them no chance to be heard
Mayor Kefer said:
THE Democratic administrations in past
years have taken the same course in max
ing removals from the police force and this
might be taken as precedent for my ac
ton. | did not act, however, in any case
until after full investigation, and a great
many Of the men included in the order to
quiet"
Further than this Mayor Kiefer would say
nothing. AS to the appointments to fill
vacancies. he said if there were any to be
would be first made public at the meeting
of that body.