The times., 1899-11-28

Sergeant McNeely. of the Sixth precinct
police station, who has been connected
with the department for rearly twelve
years, was arrested yesterday afternoon at
the corner of Eleventh and East Capitol
Streets by Inspectors Pearson and Duval,
of the Police Department, upon charge
of receiving a bribe. William H. Lee, color
ed, proprietor OF a poolroom and cigar store
at 225 Pennsylvania Avenue northwest is
responsible for the arrest, which resulted
from a conference between Major Sylvester
and Lee.
According to the statement made to Ma
jor Sylvester by Lee, the policeman is al
legged to have made a proposition TO the
effect that ample protection should be fur
nished Lee and his business upon the pay
ment Of $500. This sum was to be paid to
MoNeely, so Lee says, in return for his
influence and protection. Lee further told
the Superintendent that McNeely had said
ne was directed to clean up certain disrepu-
table resorts. Regarding the proposition
for the payment of a bribe, Lee stated dur
ing his call at Police Headquarters that
McNeely had demurred at the sum of $500
for protection and that later McNeely had
reduced his demand to $3.50. This, Lee
says, was agreed upon as a fair price for
protection of such an alleged resort as that
kept by him, and the money, Lee says, was
to be forthcoming at a meeting arranged
for yesterday afternoon.
Major. Sylvester is said to have told Lee
not TO put $3.50 in the envelope, but to place
a marked SO bill in its stead. The Super
intendent then agreed, it is said, TO have
an inspector and a policeman watch Nc
Neely when the meeting took place. Lee
went TO the rendezvous, closely followed by
two policemen in citizens clothes detailed
to watch the proceedings. At the time ar
ranged, o'clock, Lee met McNeely, and
handed him sealed envelope. When the
envelope was passed over the men on watch
approached Sergeant McNeely and de-
manded the envelope, but he refused TO
surrender it. Inspector Pearson is said TO
have seized McNeely by the coat. The
sergeant broke away. saying. Don't put
your hands on me-" McNeely, 1t is claimed.
paced his hand upon his revolver when
closely pressed. He was then permitted TO
go to headquarters, and there related his
side of the affair.
Sergeant McNeeley is said to have told
Major Sylvester that a certain negro ele-
ment, including Lee, was strongly antago-
niStLc to the pollce, and especially 10 LHoSe
of the Sixth precinct that covert threats
had been made against him and his asso-
ciates, and that a secret organization ex-
lists which is opposed to the force geEer-
ally.
Further, McNeely said he was suspicious
when approached by Lee, who, it is said,
requested the good offices of McNeely in
his behalf, promising in return to furnish
the police with list OF alleged disreputable
resorts in the precinct
McNeely then agreed to meet Lee at the
place named and receive the list, promis-
ing to do what he could in the cases
against the negro. He kept the appoint
ment, received the envelope, and was at
once seized by two policemen. who en-
deavored to take possession of the paper.
Major Sylvester says Of the case:
"McNeely insists that he did not receive
any bribe, nor did he make any of the
alleged overtures to Lee on any pretext,
and that the whole story is a scheme TO
ruin him and get him off the force"
Last night McNeely was released from
custody on 81 900 bond. The case will be
heard in Police Court today.