The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-11-17

Against vigorous protests from the
anti-administrstion men against re-
moving an officer for cause without an
accompaniment of preferred charges,
select council last night approved the
dismissal of Patrolman Flaherty, one
of the veterans of the force, and con-
flrmed the appointment of Thomas M.
Connery, nominated by Mayor Moir
as his successor.
All the Republicans with the excep-
tion of Mr.. Williams, and one Demo-
crat, Mr.. Melvin, voted with the may
or, making the tally twelve to nine.
MIR. O'Boyle, who voted with the may
or on the removal of Saul and Dyer,
was on the opposite side this time
At the meeting of the police commit
tee he gave as his reason for refusing
to sign the report that he believed Mr..
Fiahe,ty should have an opportunity
to take the matter into court such as
vas accorded Messrs. Saul and Eyer.
The discussion was atten led with
an unusual and somewhat sensational
incident. Mr.. Coyne, who led in the
fight against removing Flaherty with
out cause, got pretty well worked up
In the heat Of the debate and openly
charged Mayor Moir with having ad-
mitted that there was no charge
against Flaherty and that Chief Rob-
ling upon being pressed to answer
question as to Mr. Flaherty's conduct
turned upon Mr.. Coyne as If to as
sault him.
COYNE ASKED THE CAUSE.
ri tn
Coyne's charges was precipitated by
his asking the members of the police
committee for "the cause" for which
they recommended the patrolman's 8
dismissal
Mr.. Finn, chairman of the police
committee, replied that the members
of council are well aware of the fact
that Flaherty was removed during
Mayor Baileys administration for a
very serious offense. Mr.. Finn didn't
know of any subsequent cause, but
that in itself ought to be sufficient, he
thought.
"Those charges" said Mr.. Ccyre,
were sifted and found to be grrunG-
less They were a mere preteXt to set
| him off the force to make room for
some friend Of those who were prefer
| ring them The mayors investiga-
tion showed these charges to be vain
and empty and placed Flaherty back
on the force"
Even If they were true" said Mr..
Roche. they would not justify M.
Flaherty's removal now"
Mr.. Finn volunteered the information
that F'aherty and the chiec of police
| don't speak to one another. There
might he other complaints against Fla
horty, but he did not know of them.
Mr.. Shea thought the members of Sc
! lect council ought to know "the cause
when they are joining with the mayor
in removing a man for cause.
Mr.. Lansing said that when Flaherty
| was removed, one year ago, there was
a lack of harmony between the officer
and the head of the department. There
was INSTRUMENTATION then and the in.
subordination still continues. "Ont
| year ago" said Mr.. Lansing, "I voted
to sustain Mayor Bailey in removing
this officer, just as I will vote to sus-
tain Mayor Moir, tonight"
DISCIPLINE NECESSARY.
Mr.. Sanderson said "Above al
things. in an organized body, discipline
is absolutely necessary. If subordin
ates get 1t into their heads that tn,
orders of their superiors can he nulli
fed by another body, it is perfectly
inconsistent to expect discipline will bt
maintained"
TT won't be disputed" said Mr.
Roche, that the right of select coun
Gil is coordinate with that of the
mayor in the appointment of officers
This being true, the council has al
equal right with the mayor to know
the causes for which they remove al
officer.
'If any member Of this body" con
tlnued Mr.. Roche, knows why Office
Flaherty is to be removed he shoul,
make 1t known. The charge made
against him during the last admins
tration proved to be groundless. Other
wise he would not have been put bacl
on the force. If there is anything else
that can be brought against him,
want to know it,"
There are no charges against him.
broke in Mr.. COyne. Mayor Moir saiC
to Mr.. Flaherty, in my presence: Nc
have no charges against you. I an
forced to get rid of you. They ar
bounding me to make places and hav
got to remove you Later I saw tn
chief of police and asked him if he ha
any complaint against Flaherty. II
gave no answer, and when asked hin
again he turned upon me and I though
he was going to club me right on tn
street. The chief is the one who ough
to be removed, if the truth was known
He is not fit to be at the head of tn
police department"
That's right" said Mr. Roche, from