Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1900-09-26
porICE COW NISSIONERS.


A. o' 'Jy,oners wss held last uighC with
O. lll', commissioners present. 10 the
81 'uc o., the Mayor, Capt. Bryant
Fs''' r. w. report OF Chief Webster
Iu' ~ ~ I. stated that on September
~ '' .,aospt smith had reported that
Eriorl was insubordiDste and
Vl r',sst j aim { he lieutensnD with
co 'ST iasy4-tieation of the matter was
~ ~, q, mex. Tuesday night and Lieu
'l'u - smi. b and Officer Knight were
F, ,s.d f. b. present on that night.
Io' , p,ee offered a resolution that
~ Smith be required to appear
%', me- hoard aud answer q com.
O '', made hv Sonny Sutherland that
'.a-rr) had tried to induce Suther-
D. ~ c,r.. for d friend of Smiths at
.''' Nav e.ee ion. Gilbert Simpson
l-' - -. as witness. This matter
Va I'D set for hearing at Tuesdays
.rcsi meeting .u
NJ, Price Cdered The folloWlDg:
Wo.res, appeals upon the minutes
., mi. board mat a resolution wss
".',si deorying the Clief OF authori.
..--'i,,,ier-,d upon him by sect on so of
,oics regulations and comforting
n. ..ne upon the Mayor,
R..olyed. That ihe same be repeslt d.
r,1 BNsut said the Mayor might
have mower superior to that OF the
me, He did not wish 1t understood
,.tn- agreed with the Mayor in b q
,.r,rd- toward the police force, but he
,opgbt ,be Mayor might have power
nader lbe Jaw TO regulate tbs police
b;Ce
M Price insisted upon putting the
n,.ter before the board and ascertain
~gf.be board had power to regulate
lb- police force.
Can't. Bryant said the whole matter
N.gei on the impression that the
N,yor did not have confidence in all
M notice officers. The law, however,
u-,he Mayor at the head ofthe police
force
Mr.. Price said if the Mayer bad pow
rlO sci aside the action Of the board
there was no use of such board.
The minutes OF June 81, 1896, were
read which showed that Mayor Thomp-
200 had been given power to extend
h-fso months the time of the men on
tlrir beats.
Mr.. Hill said the Chief had not had
power for some time 10 place the men
Oh t1pir beats. bur contended that the
Ciri should have such power. Ii the
board had no power TO regulate the
force be- was wiling to resign.
Captain Bryant was Of the opinion
lls the Mayor had power to distribute
to- men as ne believed would be to the
b.-, interest OF the city. The Mayor
va. At the mead Of the police force.
Mr.. Price did not think that Mayor
simpson had the right to do as be
pleased With the force.
Mr. Hill moved to repeal the resolu-
ton giving the Mayor power to extend
the time Of men on beats and to call the
attention OF the Mayor to the section Of
toe resolution 10 reference 10 the distri
button OF the men. He thought there
Was so much confusion that 1t would b'
jl-t as well to reorgsn'ze the force anC
reduce it about one.hslf and thus saw
that much money.
Capt Bryant said that under som,
Circumstances that would be well.
Mr.. Price asked if the Sergesn
ranked as Chief or vice versa, and sale
bOriers were given the Chief by The
seIgean the men would have no respect
for the Chief who should be head OF the
force.
Il this Captain Bryant agreed.
Mr.. Hill wanted to know if the board
BAL the right to create the Office o
Srr.eaut.
Capt Bryant said that Officer Smith
bad been made Sergeant at the instance
% Oaptaln Webster to assist the latter
I1e resolution allowing the Mayor
loexiend the time OF the men on theil
Beats Eas then resciDded by vote OF
@l-Capt. Bryant.
NJ Miller said be voted as he did il
order to put Chief Webster at the heaC
U Inc force aud to test the matter i
Necessary.
NJ. Price then llered resolution Il
'leId section 56 of the rules so as t.
g'e The Chlei Instead of the Mayor tn
P'"er 10 designate the men to do dut
" ile Station house.
OaP' Bryant thought the Mayor hat
We ugnl TO surrOuad himself with sucl
1'tn d, be deemed best
NJ Price said il men stayed abou
res'''ion house so long they did no
Sal' 10 DO any other duty. He though
'Ouauge desirable.
Nip'. Bryant said that while the boar,
.yIlu discipline the men, they had n
koNt' 10 discipline the Mayor. Tn
va. sY1'u lad right to remove the officer
~ Wen ont not to regulate the Mayor
ton. " "''"ui0" us 0'o'O
.CsP' Bryant said he did not approx
" 'ue manner of the Mayor in deslin
S.3 sI Tue police 10 many ways, but b
t t,u OeNeye the Mayor had the powe
Proper
,. MI Miller said there we're man
Uses uses winch the board did not seer
W'e toe power TO correct.
NJ rrlce wanted Chief Webster
stPs~ before the board and make
ONT MI Miller said he had been told
,r -'s' Atkinson that had there bee
On NV ', meo on duty at the station hou'
.ae evening OF the killing of Rober
o' '''y' so that one might have gone
~, 20 Tue scene of the disturbance, Il
me- 49,! might not have occurred. TW
~ went to supper at the me tim
N. Mug oul one on duty there.
n "a rnce said all the men went
w., u Meals at he same time.