Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-11-28

George Black President James b. Clark
son presided. Commissioner Charles
K. Jones was also present. Commits.
sioner A. }. Hart is still sick and was
unable TO attend. OTHERS in attendance
were Chief Massey, who is the secretary
of the board; William Schell, the chief 8
private secretary; City Couroilmen
McCatferty and Zebley AID several
others.
The charge was contained in the fol-
lowing communication from the chief
to the board:
Honorable Board of Police Commissioners
--Gentlemen: hereby prefer charges against
Capt. George Black as follows viz. Having
been guilty of an net OF insubordinetion and
disrespect towards superior officer, as
founu in Rule So of the Police Manual, he
having recently made the remark that the
chief of police was nothing but d. thief
nno a s. OF b..
Rule 90, the one referred to, reads as
follows:
Any officer or member of the police force
may be punished by the Board of Police
Commissioners. in their discretion, either
by reprimanu, suspension from duty with
out nay for period not exceeding 30 days,
or by dismissal from the force, upon convic-
ton OF any one OF the following offences, TO
wit: Inioxicution, any act of insuhurdiun-
any acts OF oppression or tyranny, neglect
OF duty, violation OF the rules neglect or
disooedienoe of orders, any legal offence,
absence without leave, immoral conduct.
conduct unbecominn an officer. Conduct in
furious to the public peace or welfare, inca
pacity mental or physical; any breach of
discipline, contracting a debt under false
and fraudulent pretences.
Capt. Black, ulo being called, said
he pleaded not guilty to the language
in the charge II mads remarks,n he
said, ''but did not use tbs language at.
tr buted to me in tho charge
Pres dent Oarlsson asked Chief Mas
sey II he had anything to say In regard
TO the matter. Only this" the chief
replied. THAT is what was told to me.
. OF course, | did not hear the express
sion.''
DR.. A. b. Harris, the rolico surgeon,
was the only witness, being summoned
by the ch of. lie said: Capt. Black
lid make that statement to me. that
the chief was thief and was a s. of
b.; but | would like to modify that
statement He used the words s. of
b. in disconnected way after he
had talked about real or fancied in
iuries done him by the chief. had been
aware of the friction between the chief
and captain and the captain at my re-
quest came to my Office.
why did he 90 to your oflice?" Mr..
Clarkson asked.
why, "the doctor replied, :" thought
II the matter was talked over there it
would avoid this friction
Then you wanted to act az pacifi-
oator?o Mr.. Clarkson anked.
YES" the doctor replied. "That
was my idea. On that occasion be told
me these things and told Inc to tell
them t. Oh of Massey. He also said he
would be willing to meet you, Mr..
Clarkson, and the chief in my office
and prove all Of the assertions he had
made.
In reply to Mr.. Clnrksop, the doctor
said he did not think no could truth
fully tell what lead up TO tho language
mentioned, Asked what the captain
said to him., witness said 1.-The cap
tain told me the chief had paid Off q
80, 600 mortgage on his house and had
received maney from the gamblers. He
also told me he had the story set up in
type at Every Evening Office, and was
simply waiting for MIR. Clarkson to re-
turn from his vacation to have it
printed.
"WaH the captain all rightP' Mr..
Clarkson asked; II mean in mis- right
mind?''
"Oh, yes,' was the renly, land l
believe lie believed what he said,
although he offered no proof. lie spoke
with evident sincerity"
In reply to another question the
doctor said this conversation took place
five or six weeks ago, and he told the
chief two or three days later.
Uhief Massey asked the doctor IL
there had been any conversation since
then. Mr.. Clarkson thought that matter
4 was inadmIssible and the chief aoqui-
II esced, and withdrew the question.
Il In reply to Capt. black, the doctor
said the reason ne sent for him was
because he thought he could get him a
a position at the worKhouse. Further he
said he asked the CAPTAIN il he would
n accept the position of deputy warden
"A and said some of his friends thought he
should take the workhouse position.
The captain then asked the doctor
the following question: "Did you not
say to me thai my friends waited me
VI TO take the workhouse position. /
asked you who my friends were la this
matter and you said the chiei was one
"a of them. ! then SAID to you that II the
VI chief wanted me of the force be had
better come to me like q mao and iell
~ me and would look around for some
other work. tod you that while |
might have chance of promos on at the
q workhouse, | would also have the came
chance in the Police Department, in the
X event OF change, ard as enjoy more
+ privileges here did not want the Job at
the workhouse. Did you not also tell ice
that you had got Dr. Robinson OF Tenth
q and Market strests to see Joseph L..
N Carpenter, Jr,, one of the workhouse
commissioners, in my behalf on that
day?n
NO" tho doctor replied, III made
no such statement "
M you did," the captain replied.
Q "Then you lie or | do" the doctor
Remarked.
Now want you to answer this
question like man, the captain said
10 DIR. Harris. 'What was your oondi-
Zion the night was talking to you?''
W 81 don't know what you mean. am
not on tr al" tue doctor repli led.
But | am" the captain retortsd.
The doctor then went on and said
You also told me that you would have
the CHI of oil the force before Christ
mas"
81 did not say that" the captain
zBaid. He began to explain what hs did
bay, but was interrupted by President
Glarkson, who sad the side issues
You'd not be heard in the present case,
but might come IN at some other time.
In regard to swear lng, the captain said
AZ be never ueed the language attr buteo
to him in his own house or anybody
VS. .le..;o hou,a and 10 ha amora at all Il