Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-02-18

| injustice. Indeed in 10Y efforts 10 &c.
cape even the semblsnee OF Partially
have | possibly permitted faults TO 20
unpublished. One instance OF this can
be found 10 the case OF a policeman an
energetic, but impotent enemy of this
administration. He forced himself
into the banquet room OF world re-
nowDed order and this during a cen.
tennial celebration which members
from all paris of The world attended.
He was drunk and 90 disorderly that
special orders had to force him from
the room. This was ar open secret but
no officer entered complaint AID The
Mayor OF this city in consonance with
his rule to make no complaint himself,
allowed toe matter to pass, and thus
have | uniformly acted both to-
wards friends and foes. l am pro-
foundly distressed to have the case
OF these officers before me today
for l recognize the helplessness
OF dependant families and what fami.
lies are more dependant than those
who rely upon the pittance OF one dol
lar and a half per day, aud this coupled
with the rigid and absolute observance
of drastic rules. / was fearful that this
case was an isolated one ard that the
present Mayors Office was the scene Of
the only violent occurrence that bad
ever taken place between officer and
man, but it appears from the evidence
that case almost similar took place
some seven years ago when the Lieu.
tenant attempted to strike one OF the
men and the man forced him almost
into coal scuttle and my predecessor
imposed no punishment for the en-
broglio; but while subordinate courts
are dependant upon high courts for
precedents. the Mayor does not con-
form 10 that In considering the ruling
OF another May or's court, though ex-
amples are valuable. Spsrta's Helots
furnished examples that impaired
citizenship, but those examples were
beneficial because of their being
avoided, instead OF being initiated.
The failure of O policeman to answer
whistle call is not in itself positive evil
dence OF neglect OF duty, nor ia the un-
supported statement OF an officer that
be did blow sundry whistle calls
without eliciting q reply conclusive II
opposed by the statement Of police
m an that be, the policeman, did reply.
The rule OF preponderance of evidence
cannot be distorted to the extent OF rem.
deripg the evidence OF q witness,
though he be an official subordinate, OF
less value than that of a witness who Is
an official superior. Courts OF justice
recognize the full and complete equali-
ty OF unimpeachable witnesses, but this
view OF the question does not destroy
the necessity and the propriety OF al
officer demanding an explanation from
his sub ordinate il said officer has failed
to hear or answer his call, and it does
not lie within the rights aud privileges
OF said sub ordinate TO Withhold explans-
ton. Therefore up TO the moment oil
conversation between Lieutenant Smith
and Officer Lyles there was nothing TO
interfere with an snicable adjustment
of comparatively simple affsir, but un-
fortunately there was loss Of temper
on the part OF one Of the participants;
that is to cay o blunder, which Tal)ey-
rand charscterises as O crime, was com.
mitted, each officer placing the blame
upon the other, and If We had TO rely
upon these parties it would be difficult
to arrive at conclusion because OF one
witness being of equal credibiiity with
the other, bur fortunately for the ac-
complisbment of jusiice we have dig
interested witness, one Of the most ir-
telligent and conscientious members OF
the force, MIR. Ferguson. This witness
saw Offer Lyles violently take hold OF
Lieutenant Smith, and while be did not
near profane language, and while he
saw no blow struck, yet there was the
complete assault and Circumstances au-
terror to said assault can be with pro-
priety and fairness ignored. Before the
return Of the parties 10 the waiting
room down stairs there was renewal
of the trouble and the evidence Of Mr..
Ferguson established fact that Officer
Wilkinson eratuitously assumed that
Lieutenant Smith questioned his fight
ing ability and had thrown down his
stick and had invited toe Lieutenant to
come out and fight. In all these things
there was wo'ul lack of respect for pc
lice discipline and destruction OF po
lice integrity, aud while ! Am perfectly
willing to allow officers aud members OF
the force to 90 through the town ours.
ing and abusing the Mayor, l cannot
shirk the plain duty that is imposed
upon me TO punish fagrsnt breaches
against officers and men, snd | shall
suspend each of the accused for thirty
days.