The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-05-03
END OF INVESTIGATION
COUNCIL CONCLUDES ITS PROBING
INTO THE SAFETY BOARD.
Ex-PatroIman Cox Heard by the Com.
mittee-COntroIler johnson Ex-
planned City's Finances.


the evidence heard by the committee on
investigation and impeachment at last
nights session. Ex-Patrolman William L.
Cox was one of the witnesses. He told
story concerning the way Patrolman
Stevens handled dog taxes and the prosecu-
ton desired to corroborate the story with
the testimony of Ira Leet, but rather than
call another meeting of the committee.
Deputy City Attorney Bell was willing to
admit that Leet would tell a story similar
to the one told by Cox.
The first witness called to the stand was
ex-Patrolman Cox. He was one of the
members of the force discharged Dec. 10,
1899. He said he had never been repri-
manded. and the Monday night before his
trial before the Board of Public Safety he
talked with Superintendent Quigley, and
the latter told him he had nothing against
him. He asked the superintendent if he
would testify against him and the super
intendent told him he would not. The
charges against Cox were winking and
congregating in the roll call room. He
said number of the patrolmen "joshed'
each other about having to watch certain
saloons in their districts, and it was often
remarked why the patrolmen did not make
the saloon keepers handle certain brand
Of beer so that their places would not have
TO be watched.
THE SALOON ORDER
Cox told about the saloon order that has
been mentioned so often. He also testified
TO arresting John Banks and Alex. Nichols,
who. he said, were known gamblers, and
when fhaV o. inf Police
he said Captain Kruger asked him to have
the cases continued, but he refused, he
had received orders from Sergeant Corri-
gan to make the arrests. Sergeant Corri-
gan appeared in Police Court the morning
of the trial and asked Judge Cox TO con-
tinue the cases indefinitely, but instead of
doing this the judge dismissed the men.
Cox told OF watching James Vaughn S
saloon and finding men and women in the
cellar drinking on Sundays. One day he
was told by Sergeant Corrigan to stay
away from Vaughn's place for awhile.
In regard to the story published some
time ago, concerning an effort to settle his
differences before his case went to trial.
he claimed Sergeant Giblin TOLD him before
the trial that he should send a cOmmunica-
ton to the Board of Safety and Superin-
tendent Quigley, stating that he would ac-
cept the decision of the Board of Safety of
Dec. is, when he was discharged, and If he
oIo this matters would be arranged so that
he could be reinStated Cox also claimed
that Patrolman Stevens had told him he
collected $12 or SIS dog tax and that he
said he was ION the road to the peniten-
tiary" as he had spent the money for his
own use. On croSs-examination, Cox said
he did not report Stevens before he was
discharged, as he had run the same dis
trict with him and did not care to report
Stevens's troubles.
Sergeant Giblin then took the stand and
denied having received any instructions to
see Cox. He said Cex hailed him one day
curing the trial and he told him to write
out statement to the board. Sergeant
Giblin said he went to Superintendent
Quigley and Mr.. Hyde, of the Board of
Safety in Cox's behalf and the superintend-
ent told him that all the cases would be
tried. fH
B. r. Stevens. was the next witness He
is the patrolman referred to by Cox hav-
ing appropriated money for his own use
collected from dog taxes. He denied in
toto the story told by Cox.
CONTROLLER JOHNSON HEARD.
When City Controller Johnson was called
to the stand several members of the City
Council drew nearer in order to copy a
long list of figures concerning the cash
balance of the city and the appropriations.
Attorney Harding endeavored to show that
the city used money appropriated for
special funds for other purposes. City Corr
trolier johnson explained that an appro-
priation was merely to authorize the ex-
penditure of a certain amount for a given
purpose and when an appropriation was
made the amount was not set aside, but
the money was drawn from the general
fund. He said If the money for appropria-
tons should be laid aside and used for
nothing else than the purpose designated
in the appropriation. the city would be
without funds for running the city govern
ment three-fourths of the year. He be-
lieved, he said, that the city had perfect
right to use the money but no warrants
could be drawn on the appropriations
other than those coming under the pur-
poses of the appropriation If the city
could not use the money in the city treas
ury, Mr.. Johnson said Ii would be nee
essary TO borrow all the time TO pay run
ming expenses. The total appropriations
always exceed the cash balance in the
treasury. Councilman Evans asked Mr.
Johnson If in case the Council authorized
a bond issue of 100000 or $4,000 the city
could use the money for other purposes
than those for which the money was ap-
propriated Mr.. Johnson replied that III his
opinion the city could use the money TO its
credit in the city treasury, but could not
draw any warrants on such an appropria
tion except for expenses under the appro.
priation. After Mr.. Johnson was heard
the committee adjourned. The committed
will nrObably make IFS reDOrt next Monday