Evening star., 1898-09-27
PETITION FOR REHEARING.
Motion Before Commissioners in Be-
half of Discharged Policemen.

Mr.. A. z. Shoemaker today filed with the
District Commissioners a motion for a re-
hearing in the case of Policemen W. w.
Wheeler and s. E. Herndon, whose dismis-
sal from the force was ordered several days
ago. as stated In The Star, to take effect
the 30th instant. The Rev. DR.. Luther B.
Wilson, Mr.. W. J. FriZzell and Mr.. John r.
Talieferro also accompanied Mr.. Shoe
maker and they asked the Commissioners,
through Commissioner Wight, to reconsider
the matter and reinstate the officers.
The officers, 1t will be recalled, were
charged with neglect of duty In arresting
one Greer without due cause and simply
for spite Greer was never brought to
trial, the case being nolle pressed, and 1t is
claimed on behalf of the officers that had
the case been heard in court they would
have been able to justify their action. 1t
Is also claimed on behalf of the officers
that their dismissal is the outgrowth of
their efforts to, prevent a certain saloon
keeper in the northeast section Of the city
from obtaining a renewal of his license,
the officers having contended LAT he had
been guilty of violating the liquor laws.
On behalf of the liquor dealer it is said he
was acquitted and that the officers then
vented their disappointment upon Greer,
who is said to have been a witness for the
ever. in adopting Mr.. Wight's recommen-
dation that the men be dismissed, expressly
stated that the charges against them OF
neglect of duty were considered and decid-
ed without reference to the liquor case.
1t is claimed on behalf of the officers.
nevertheless. that the public cannot avoid
connecting their dismissal with their ac
ton in the liquor case, and it is feared
by those who believe that they simply did
their duty that their dismissal from the
force will have the effect of intimidating
the members of the force and making them
tiuid in their efforts to enforce the liquor
laws and regulations. In this connection, it
is pointed out by the friends of the officers
that the saloon keeper in question has not
been granted a liquor license, and it is as
serted that he will not, although it is stat
ed that he has continued in the business
by sufferance.
a number of prominent citizens have call
ed upon the Commissioners in behalf of the
officers. and a number of letters and petit
tionS asking for their reinstatement have
also. been filed with the Commissioners,
the signcrs testifying that they have known
and regard the men as good officers and
useful ones. Among those who have writ
ten the Commissioners in behalf of the men
are DIR. j. W. Bayne, Miss Alice NJ. Clay
ton, principal of the Hayes School, near
the place of the liquor dealer; ex-Com-
missioner l.. G. Hlne, Mr.. Nathaniel Nc
Kay and others. They also signed the pc
titions asking for the reinstatement of the
officers. together, among many others, with
Mr.. Henry K. Willard, Mr.. Clarence F.
Norment, Rev E. Olin Eldridge, DR.. Henry
D. Fry, Mr.. w. C. Downey, Mr. George w.
Cochran, Mr.. B. F. Leighton and Rev. J.
w. Clark
Mr. Wight promised to take the matter
under advisement, and decision is expect
ed from the Commissioners in day two.