Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-02-04
REDUCED TO THE RANKS.


night, all the members being present
aud Captain Bryant presiding. The
Mayor did not attend the meeting.
The meeting was held to investigate
the charge that Sergt. J. L. Smith had
taken part in the quo warranto pro.
ceedinRs institute ed some time since to
have Commissioner Price declared iu-
eligible TO serve on the board by
reason Of his holding government po-
siiion.
Sergeant Smith was called before the
board. Capt. Bryant had a steno-
graphic report of Sergt. Smiths state
me0t made before the board at its re-
cent meeting and the deposition re-
ceived from Commonwealth Attorney
Marbury, who Ia COW in South Caro-
lns. Capt. Bryant asked Sergt.
Smith about bis visit to Messrs. Mar
busy and Armstrong to see about
taking nc ion against Commissioner
Price, and then read the Sergeant's
statement made bsfJrs the board con-
ceruiog said visit. He then read
Mr.. Marbury's affidavit concerning the
Sergeant's visit TO him end to Mr.. Arm
strong.
CT appears that the conversation be-
tween Sergt. Smith aad Mr.. Msrbury in
the latter's office was taken down by a
stenographer and afterwards type
written but this was not known by
Sergt. Smi b.
Capt. Bryant said that Mr.. Msrbury's
affidavit was not in accordance with
Ssrgt. Smiths statement, but the
Sergeant maintained that it was.
Commissioner Miller differed with
ths Sergeant as to his explanation.
Capt. Bryant pointed out several con-
fictiDg statements in the two papers.
and called the Ssrgeant's attention to
the absence Of any reference to second.
visit to the Office OF the Common
weslth's attorney about ten days after
the first.
The Sergeant replied that he was IN
der the impression that he had told OF
the second visit in company with +. G.
Spinks, but bis visit was to Mr.. Arm
strong, aud Spinks hsd gone into the
next room to see Mr.. Marbury. In refer
encs 20 Mr.. Spinks taking the case to
Messrs. Marbury and Armstrong, the
Sergeant denied that Spinks' action was
his action and said be should not be
held responsible for the action OF some
one else.
Capt. Bryant said the Sergeant had
withheld part OF the truth at least,
which was all wrong, and that his tes-
timony did not agree with the affidavit
of Mr. Msrhury.
Sergeant Smith replied that she had
been summoned to answer questions"
and had done so.
Capt. Bryant asked who had written
the letter for Spiuks requesting the
Common wealth's Attorney to bring the
quo warranto proceedings against Com
missioner Pf'Ce, and the Sergeant re.
piled: "Ths Mayor"
Capt. Bryant: "And Mr.. Spinks
swOrs that the Mayor had nothing to
do with the proceedings and knew
nothing about H."
Sergeant Smith said that he had
given SpiDK5 the letter, and while the
Mayor bad written the original, tho
copy that he had given Spinks was
typewriter, and Spinks was no. aware
OF The Mayors connection with the
matter. The Sergeant was then ex
cused, the newspaper reporters were
asked to retire for short time and the
board went into executive session,
which lasted nearly an hour.
The doors we're then opened and the
Commissioners stated that they had
adopted the following resolutions:
N
Smith, app, airing before the Board Of Police
Commissioners to answer such questions as
might be put to him concerning his part in
the proceedings instituted in the Corporation
Court Of the City of Alexandria. for the re-
mOval from this Board OF Police Commits
sioucr Frank Price, and after such investigs.
ton IS this 30 ri has deemed necessary. it
has beer shown that Police Sergeant Jsmes
T. Smith Is guilty of violating the rules aud
Iegu atoms Of this Board in that he has Lot
shown the proper respect due a superior OF. |
fcer ; and II further beiDg shown that Police |
Sergesnt'sSmith's testimony as regards his part |
in those proceedings is in direct conflict with |
the sworn statement of Commonwealth At
torney Leorard Msrbury, III, decision of this |
Board is, that the action of the Board on |
February ~. 1896, sssigDing James +. Smith |
IS Sergeant OF Police be and tho same is sreby |
repealed; that Police Sergea 1T lmes L. smith |
is found guilty OF conduct pref 1diclsl 10 dis. |
cipline and good order aud withholding i'm.
portant facts germsne to the investigation and
ne is hereby reduced to the ranks OF tn ,
police force OF the CITY Of Alexandria and he
be informed that from and after this date
he will cease to perform the duties of Ser
gesnt Of Police.
Ii is further resolved, that the Secretary be |
and is hereby directed to certify the action of |
-
Simpson, and 10 the chief OF Police, James T. |
Webster, and thst the cretsry further |
notify Police Sergeant James p. Smith OF this |
resolution and thi, order.
Capt. Bryan stated, in Announcing
the decision, that the board had been |
actuated by leniency in arriving at its
decision, aud that Commissioner |
Price had taken no part in the proceed |
ings after the board went in executive |
session.
The board designated Policeman
Charles T. Goods as acting Sergeant to
succeed Smith.
Letters were drawn up stating the
action of the board and were immedi-
a,ely handed to Capt. Webster and
Sergeant Smith.
Othcer Goods at once assn med MS
duties as Sergeant and Sergeant Smith
took bis place 10 the ranks.
The statute constituting the police
force does not provide for a sergeant.
The office of acting sergeant was created
10 order to relieve the Chief OF a part
OF his duties. The Office carries with it
no extra compensation.