Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-09-29
AFFAIRS IN ALEXANDRIA
Mayor Simpsons Announced Purpose of
Deposing Police Commissioner.
Positive Statement to That Effect
This MorninR-COroner'n Verdict
in Drowning Case.
Evening Star Bureau,
No. 701 King Street.
Rail Ta;enhIna No 1nS


ALEXANDRIA,. Va, September %. 1899.
If Mayor Simpsons powers extend to the
removal of a member Of the board of police
commissioners. it is announced that Com
missioner Frank Price will be deposed.
Mayor Simpson made a positive statement
to this effect while conversing with a Star
reporter this morning. The only obstacle
in the way of immediate action. the mayor
stated, was the question as to whether a
police commissioner is a state or municipal
Officer. In the latter case a removal would
come within the scope of the mayors au-
thority.
The ground for the prospective removal
was traversed at length by the mayor, and
was, as he stated, freely discussed at the
meeting CT the commissioners Wednesday
evening last. In response to certain strc-
lures INDUCED in by Commissioner Price as
to the management of the police force the
mayor made statement charging MIR.
Price with misconduct in his official capac-
ity. The allegation was that Commissioner
Price had tranSgreSSed his rights by a
clandestine visit to a house of i'll fame. car
rying with him an officer Of the police
force, for the specific purpose of securing
such evidence against another member of
the police force as would probably lead to
the latters dismissal. Mr.. Price admitted
having undertaken to ferret GU. crimnat-
ing evidence against policeman. but de-
MED many points in the mayors ailega-
tons
In regard to the action Of the commissi
ers in reversing his decision suspending
Lieut.. Smith, Mayor Simpson went on to
state that in all future cases of a similar
nature he would be governed, as in the
case referred to, by the belief that an Off
Ger in charge of men, finding them asleep
on duty and not arousing them, is guilty of
dereliction.
Coroner ExOnerates Crawford.
The dead body of Rudolph Harris, col
ored, which was found floating in the Po-
tomac near Mount Vernon yesterday morn
Ing. as stated in The Star, was viewed last
evening by Coroner Kirby, who decided
7 to hold an inquest. A coroner's jury was
summoned and after investigation rendered
verdict that Harris came to his death
by drowning. No marks on the body to
indicate foul play We're discovered. The re-
mains were brought here last night and
inferred today.
The coroners investigation fully relieves
George Crawford, colored, mate of the
scow Pansy, from which Harris was
d1 owned of having had anything to do
with the drowning. Crawford, it will be
recalled. was examined in the police court
on suspicion of having caused the fatality,
but was dismissed.
General Matters.
A meeting Of the local chapter. w. C. T.
u, was held last night at the home of the
president Mrs. N. S. Greenaway, on North
Columbus street. Representatives from the
Y. w. c. 7. U. We're present and plans
were discussed for entertaining the one
hundred guests expected here October 3.
the date of the state convention. AS be-
fore stated, the convention will open in the
NJ. P. Church and close Friday. the Sth in
slant in Trinity NJ. E, Church.
Mary V. Robinson. daughter of Magnus
l.. Robinson. a well-known colored educa-
tor Of this city, and Joseph Miller of Cum
berland. Md. were married asst evening
at Roberts M. E. Chapel, on South Wash
ington street The couple left after the
ceremony for a northern tour. The church
was tastefully decorated with cut flowers,
potted palms and ferns, the chancel being
d bower of eyergreens.
Old Glory Council, Junior Order United
American Mechanics. paid a fraternal visit
to Alexandria Council Of the same fraterni-
ty last evening.