The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-07
MUST KEEP OUT OF POLITICS.
Chairman I<arOw's Little Talk to
Policeman Fleming.

D
Policeman Fleming.
When Policeman Walter H. Fleming
went to the polls at the court house to
vote yesterday morning, he met with an
unexpected and unpleasant surprise.
Maj Edward Karow, chairman of the
Police Commission,w was at the court house.
and as soon as Policeman Fleming had
deposited his ballot he called to him.
Mr.. Fleming" said the chairman, In
an article published in the Morning News
of some days ago you were quoted on GER
tain political matters DO you remember
the article l refer to-"
The policeman thought a moment. do
you mean the article stating that I had
quit the Populist party?" he asked.
Yes"
Il remember that major"
you know, MIR. Fleming" continued
the chairman of the police board, that it
is against the regulations for members of
the police force 10 be engaged in politics.
They are all entitled to their political con-
victions, and can vote as they see fit, but
they are not to be in politics, in the news
papers or otherwise. You know the rules
Of the Department."
Certainly, sir"
IF you, or any other officer, is engaged
in politics it viii be my duty as chairman
Of the board to discharge him. The board
meets tomorrow night and l presume my
attention viii then be officially
called to this article in the
Morning News. should be
pleased to have any explanation you may
desire to make to present TO the board.
Mr.. Fleming replied that the article was
not to be construed as indicating that he
was doing any work in politics, either as
Democrat or as q Populist lie had not so
hcited The publication of his views on poll
tics nor personally sought to let the public
know that he mad Quit the Populist fold
for the Democratic party. The article
in which it was said that Mr. Fleming had
become an Atkinson Democrat, was based
on friendly statement made by him to
that effect, and was without any political
intent.
Maj Karow seemed satisfied with Police
man Flemings disavowal Of any political
purpose on his part in the publication, and
expressed himself as apparently satisfied
that with this explanation the commission
would take no action.
When seen by a Morning News reporter
the chairman of the board merely repeated
what had taken place between him and
Policeman Fleming. He had evidently rea-
son to believe that the matter would be
brought up at the meeting of the board
tonight, and desired Mr. Flemings state
ment in advance of any discussion.
The rules of the department, Mai. Ka-
row holds, prohibit officers from discuss
ing politics for publication In this in
stance Policeman Fleming, while off duty.
rad merely half-iokingly given TO a friend
has reasons for abandoning the Populist
party in its last agOnies of disso-
luton, and without any idea of
influencing others The attitude of
the chairman of the board, though. indi
cafes that there is a strong probability of
the rules with refernce to politics being
risidly construed and enforced hereafter.
The news of what had taken place be-
tween the chairman and the policeman
was considerably discussed yesterday and
seemed to cause uneasiness among Mr.
Fleming friends 1t is probable that this
Is the last of the incident except in the
effect II may have as an extra warning to
members of the force