The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-08-03

tisan Aldermen.
The long touted changes in the no.
lice force were made public by Mayor
Kiefer at the meeting Of the board Of
aldermen last evening. The removals
came In the shape of three letters.
eight patrolmen being named for de-
capitation in the first, three in the Sec
ond. and one line officer in the third.
The men whom the mayor removed
in were:
Lieut.. John Pendy.
Patrolman Stephen Fitzgerald.
Patrolman John Newell
Patrolman John M Rafter.
Patrolman John Miner.
Patrolman Hans Hanson.
Patrolman James O'Brien.
. P PatroII,a Edward McElistrom.
Patrolman August Baer.
Patroman T. c. Johnson
Patrolman Alexander Perry
Each Of the three letters signed by
Mayor Kiefer wound up with the state
ment that the members had been ere
moved from the police department of
the city for the reason that, in my
4 OPP le,n;e the good of the service and
the welfare of the city demands such
removals, and I respectfully request
your concurrence in such removals"
There was considerable sparring
When the first communication was
read. Aid. Murphy wanted the re-
movals referred to the committee on
police, but Aid. Knauft moved that the
action be concurred in, and this was
seconded by Aid. Sanborn President
Donahower ruled that the motion to
refer took precedence, and on the roll
cal 1.-The motion to refer was lost. Aid
Bantz, Bell and Murphy being the only
ones to vote for it.
Aid. Bell wanted to hear the names
or the patroamen removed again, and
the clerk re-read the first letter corr
tanning the names of eight of the dozen
who were decapitated.
On the motion to concur in the a1
ZION OF the mayor. Aid. Bell, Bantz
and Murphy voted no. Aid. Murphy ex-
planned his vote by saying he knew Of
no reason why the men should be dis
charged. Some Of the officers had been
on the force from six to twenty years.
and the majority of them had never
been called before the mayor. even for
a reprimand. All were good and faith
fu1 officers and were entitled to a hear
ing before the committee on police be-
fore any action was taken The vote
was announced as seven in favor Of
the action Of the mayor being con-
CURED In and three against Aid. Ken
ny not being present
President DonahoWer announced thst
the action Of the mayor was concurred
IN and at the same time requested an
opinion from Corporation ATTORNEY
markham as to whether the vote was
Sufflcient to cause the removal of the
officers
Mr.. Markham stated that In his
opinion only majority vote was neces-
sary to remove any member Of the DO
lice force, II this action was requested
by the mayor. The corporation attor-
ney read the section from the charter
which states that removals by the
mayor shall not be in force unless con-
CURED In by majority vote of all
the members-elect of the council.
President Donahower questioned, un-
der the ruling of the corporation at
torney, If the council had the power by
two thirds vote of the members Of
each body to remove the entire police
force without the initiative coming
from the mayor Mr. Markham said
under the charter the council could do
this very thing, as it provided that any
ofhcer could be removed without
charges from the mayor by two-third
vote
Mr.. Markham further explained that
the good Of the service and the well
rare OF the city," as mentioned by the
mayor was sufficient cause for re-
movais, and only majority vote was
needed to concur in the action of the
mayor
Aid. Bell, at this point stated that,
after hearing the opinion Of the cor
poration attorney, he was DESTROYS of
changing his vote, so that he would be
recorded as voting to confirm the
mayor in his action
President Donahower said he had al
ready announced the vote and dec!ar-
ed the removals concurred in, and he
saw no way in which Mr. Bell could
be recorded again on the question.
Corporation Attorney Markham was
on his feet in second and explained
that it was the desire of the legal de-
partment that there should be no trou-
BILE over the removals, and, while he
was certain that it took but a major
1ty vote, it would be best to be on the
safe side and allow Mr.. Bell to change
his vote, as with the Sixth ward al
derman the concurrence would be made
by a two-third vote. Mr.. Markham
suggested that the vote could be re-
considered and the removals run
through again. This was done. AL
though Aid Murphy voted against the
The removal of the
eight patrolmen was again voted on.
and this time there were but two votes
In opposition, these being cast by
Messrs. BantZ and Murphy.
The removal Of August Baer. T. G.
johnson and Alexander Perry was then
agreed to. Messrs. Murphy and Bantz
insisting on a motion to refer to the
committee on police, which was voted
down. and then the action Of the mayor
concurred in by a vote of to 2.
The removal of Lieut. John Pendy
was made after the same red tape had
been gone through with.
Lieut.. John Pendy was appointed to
the force May IL. 1882, as a patrolman
and promoted to his present position
Aug. l, 1889. He is now on duty at
the Margaret street station.
August Baer was appointed to the
force April l, 1875. and at present is
detailed with the patrol wagon at the
central station.
Stephen Fitzgerald was appointed
Rondo street station.
John Newell was appointed March %.
1883, and is patrolman at the Rondo
street station.
John M. Rafter was appointed April
q, 1887, and is a patrolman at the
central station.
John M. Rafter was appointed April
Il, 1887, and is patrolman at the CEN
trail station.
w. B. Coveney was appointed Nav
10, 1887 and Is patrolman at the CEN
trail station.
Hans Hanson was appointed June 10
1894, and Is patrolman at the Mar
garet street station
John Miner was appointed July 2,
6atQi1p6 &c la 10