The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-01-29
DERELICT IN HIS DUTY.
Police officer Murphy Has Been
Temporarily Suspended.
DIDN'T STICK TO HIS BEAT
Reported Twice BY the Roundsman and
Given Two Spirited and Lively Inter
views With the Chief A Special
Patroliing in His Place.

Police officer James ]. Murphy was
not on his beat last evening aud his star
was Worn and his beat patrollcd by Spe-
ciai Officer Foley The reason officer
Murphy was not on duty was due to
the fact that twice during the past
week he had been required to walk the
carpet before Chief Mulholland for dere-
LECTION of duty.
About a week ago Sergeant Buchanan,
in making his rounds. found officer
Murphy off his beat. or rather failed to
find him on the beat and reported the
matter to the head of the department,
as is his duty. officer Murphy was
called before Chief Muholand and Il
stormy interview ensued, in which it was
evident Mr. Murphy thought he was I'M
justly accused or at least was getting
the worst of il, and there was much re-
elimination between the patrolman and
sergeant Mr.. Murphy was unmistaka-
bly, aroused to a high pitch of indigna
ton and quit the interview with thu
spirited declaration that he was ready
to quit any time his superior was dis
satisfied with his work. as the job was
Il thankless one at best and he was not
particular whether he remained on the
force or not or words To that effect. lie
said in his defense that at the time he
failed Ia answer to the roundsman's raps
he was away TO supper and felt that be-
ing reported for no greater an offenSc
was an unjust proceeding. Chief Null
holland replied To Mr.. Murphy's spirited
remarks as he left the chiefs office that
he Murphy, like amy other 1ffiyer,
would receive the same treatment. and
no discrimination would he praeticed
either against him or in his favor any
more than in the ease of any other oHi-
CHI fst h.lt all Al
footing and that amy one failing to re-
spond to the roundsman's raps must OK
pect to he reported. There the matter
dropped and Mr.. Murphy continued TO
patrol beat No. until last evening.
1t appears that night before last Ser
goant Buchanan again failed to get a
response when h visited officer Muir
phys beat and raped for the patrol
man. The result was another report
and another SeanCc IN the carpet for
Officer Murphy. Like in the former in
stance. the interview was a stormy on"
and officer Murphy protested vigorously
against the injustice he considered he
was being made the victim of He
failed, however, to account for his alb
sence from his beat To the satisfaction
Of his superors and was temporarily re-
lieved of his star Chief Mulholland de-
MED last evening that Officer Murphy
had been suspended and stated that he
was on duty. but il was fact that
Special officer Foley's name appeared
on the roll in place Of Mr.. Murphys and
be was patr1line beat No T. Mr.. Muir
phys beat. Chief Mulhollaud also re.
fused To state what Mr.. Murphy was
suspected or accused Of doing to take
him away from his duty. Chief Mulhol-
land further declined 10 state whether
81 not an investigation would be made
by the police committee of the board OF
aldermen.
officer Murphy has hitherto been con-
sidered a conscientious officer and he
has not heretofore been accused of fail
ing in the discharge of his duties