The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1900-06-08
SHOCKING
SCANDAL.
Policemen in Charge of
Sunday School Parade
Accused Of Drunk
enneSs.
REV. 4. n. THOMPSON COMPLAINS
Says Eldott and Maxwell
Were Under the Influence
of Liquor-Investiga-
ton Begun.
REV. 4. n. THOMPSON COMPLAINS

Every member of the police force of
the city is burning with what they call
righteous Indignation over the statements
made yesterday afternoon, in front of the
reviewing stand on the Boulevard and
Tonnele avenue, by the Rev. Arthur N.
Thompson, D. d., of the Westminster
Presbyterian Church, located at Summit
and Magnolia avenues The pastor, it is
said, before several hundred persons, Who
had gathered to witness the parade of
the Sunday-school children, denounced
every officer that was in any way con-
nected with the parade on the Heights.
He is said to have remarked, in the
course of his outburst, that it was
burning disgrace that a lot of drunken
policemen were allowed to look after
crowd of children. These and other re-
marks he is charged with uttering be-
fore the large gathering.
The Rev. Mr.. Thompson was seen last
evening in the church at the conclusion
of the exercises of the Sunday-school.
He was asked, point blank, if he made
the statements credited to him. He was
told that the officers were indignant and
wanted to know on what authority he
made such accusations. The pastor ad-
SldllliS AiletL llAC AilSAA hNAS "a HA1AA'
but said he had no idea that the re-
marks had caused such widespread in
dignation.
Il said some things said he, 'and If
they want more they can have it. The
breath of one of the men smelt of
liquor and that was not right. wish,
however, that you would state that I do
not care to be interviewed further on the
matter"
Mr.. Thompson said he had learned that
if he made complaints against the men
they would be dismissed. He would not
do this, because he did not want the men
to lose their places. He admitted having
spoken to the Rev. Mr.. Mayham on the
question and said that that pastor had
agreed with him that the men were unfit
for duty. He added, in conclusion, when
asked for his exact words. that he could
not just remember what he said, but that
he had spoken vigorously at that time
and just as he felt.
Gee men are very indignant. Captain
Charles Cox of the Montgomery street
station is sitting the matter. He did not
understand which pastor made the state
ments regarding drunkenness, and in at
tempting to find out he sought the Rev.
Arney S. Biddle of the First United Pres
byterian Church, at Summit avenue and
Montgomery street. Pastor Biddie denied
that he had charged any officer with hav-
ing imbibed too freely The Captain did
not see Mr.. Thompson last evening in
reference to the charges, but promised
to go today and find out just what he
said.
The particular officer whom Pastor
Thompson picked out was Patrolman Ell
dott of the Oakland avenue station. The
pastor said that his breath was tainted
with liquor and that it was a disgrace to
have such a man in the police depart
ment. Patrolman Maxwell of the Mont
gomery street station also came under the
Rev. Mr. Thompson's notice. Laying his
hand on Maxwelrs shoulder he exclaimed
You are not drunk are you?"
Maxwell was almost taken off his feet
in astonishment.
s4Of course not" said he, why should
I be? 1 have not touched liquor in
years.
It did not take long for word of the
pastors statements to reach the ears of
the officers in the parade. Everyone of
them was sore over the remarks They
claimed that these statements were un-
justified, and that every man was perfect
ly sober Many of the men had had but
few hours cleep before turning out for
duty in the parade and the treatment ac-
corded them did not tend to make them
feel any the better for it.
The Rev. F. C. Mayham of Grace Metho-
dist Church on Tonnele avenue, is also
said to have remarked that the men were
unfit for duty, in answer to question put
by Pastor Thompson.
Patrolmen Maxwell and Eldott-particu-
larly Eldott, who was picked out as the
drunken man-positively deny the truth OF
the charges that were lodged against
them. Both said that they were as sober
as it was possible for human being 70
he. and that hundreds of others would
testify as to the accuracy of their state
rnents.
Captain Cox is very indignant over the
affair. He stands for his, men at all times'
and he will back them up on this mat