Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-07-30
DEFENSE OF LIEUT.. DALEY
OF DEMOCRATS MAKE
PLEA IN HIS BEHALF.
Charges Filed by Mr.. James l.. Norris
Declared to BE In
Just.

A delegation Of local democrats. headed
by Mr.. Cotter T. Bride, and composed Of
E. L. Jordan, H. B. Martin, DR.. W. L.
Riegel and Charles w. Slater called on
Major Sylvester this morning, in reference
to the complaint recently made against
Lieut.. John C. Daley Of the 9th precinct.
because of an affidavit made by the officer
concerning the recent democratic primaries,
as published in Saturdays Star. The dele
cation called to intercede in behalf of Lient.
Daley, and Major. Sylvester gave the as
surance that the lieutenant would be fairly
dealt with in the matter. He told his wish
tors that he had not received the answer of
Lieut.. Daley to the complaint, and until
that was received no action would be taken.
Because of the nature of the complaint
made against the lieutenant by Mr.. James
l.. Norris, II is believed that any charges
that may be preferred against the officer
would have to be brought under paragraph
40 of the manual, which says:
The right Of every member of the police
force to entertain political opinions not dis
loyal to the government of the United
States and to express the same freely when
not engaged upon duty shall be deemed
sacred and inviolate; but no member Of the
police force will be permitted to belong to
any political club or organization. or be a
delegate or representative to member OF
any political or partisan convention whose
purpose is the nomination of any candidate
or candidates to any political office. He
shall take part in any such convention,
nor in the choice OF delegates thereto
Claim I'm Behalf of Omcer.
1t is argued by friends of the accused
officer that the mere making OF an affidavit
concerning the condition of things as they
existed at the time the primaries were held
is in no sense a violation OF the paragraph
mentioned. Then again, it is pointed out
that the affidavit was made by Daley as a
citizen and not as a police lieutenant, al
though It was perhaps stated during the
arguments at Kansas City that he held the
position Of lieutenant.
1t is stated that paragraph 20 of the man.
ual was adopted during the time that citi-
zens OF the District had the right to vote.
Recently there was a manual provided for
the fire department, and the present board
of Commissioners saw no reason for put
ting in a political paragraph.
A member Of the delegation which called
on Maj. Sylvester this morning said to a
Star reporter that the delegation was Of
the opinion that Lieut.. Daley had done
nothing wrong. and its members intend TO
see that justice is done him. What he stated
in the affidavit, the member of the COM
mittee says. was perfectly true and other
affidavits of the same kind are now being
prepared for use when the partys SUBJ
committee meets to act upon the question
Of selecting a member of the national COM
mittee to represent the District of Column
bia.
Mr.. Norris action in making the COM
plant against Lieut. Daley, the member of
the committee told a Star reporter will
fn1ure his chances when the matter comes
before the subcommittee In a couple Of
weeks.