Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1902-10-21
Council Acts and Declares Office of
Chief Police Vacant

The council met in regular session
last night with the mayor and alder
men Boyce. Bruce. Fox, Meyer, Riley,
Wollerman and We'll present.
The minutes of the previous meet
ing were read and approved.
Accounts of the Pine Bluff Light
and Water company and Press-Eagle
were allowed.
The report of the finance committee
on report of committee on paving dis
trict No. 3. was read and approved
and ordered spread upon the record.
Report OF finance committee N re-
port of committee on paving district
No. . was read and received and ord
cred spread upon the record.
1t was moved and carried that the
board of public affairs be directed to
purchase tWs. car loads OF second
grade sewer pipe for drains
Alderman Meyer moved that the
reports of police Judge and chief Of
police for September be referred to
finance committee for investigation.
Mayor Bell suggested that in as
much as the chief OF police had alb
senjed himself without leave OF alb
sence and had left no message as to
when he would return ii would be
we'll to have his accounts checked up
and ascertain if his accounts are cor
rect. He said if the chief was snort
in his accounts he should be punished,
if not he should be eNonorated OF any
charges to that effect.
Alderman Meyer offered motion
that the office of chief of police be
declared vacant.
\ question OF the proper legal pro-
cedure to take in the matter came
up and on the city attorneys opinion
Mayor Bell recommended in a few re-
marks that the council declare the
office vacant He said that Chief
Craigs actions in remaining away
without leave of absence had been
dlmfOundng in the extreme t.. him.
He could not account III any way for
the chiefs absence. He had always
had the greatest confidence in Chief
Craig. and it was with regret that he
recommended his dismissal from Of
fee
On the mayors Recommendation
Alderman Meyer withdrew his motion
and offered a resolution, that the Of
nee OF chief of police, filled by VIM.
Crais, be declared vacant.
Mayor Bell stated that inasmuch as
hints and rumors were heard of Chief
Craig being short in his accounts he
Recommended tnai the proper commit
tee investigate his accounts and Of
.tici2l acts in their entirety.
The matter was referred TO the
police committee for Investigation. by
motion.
1t was moved and seconded that tAt
board of public affairs be authorized
to purchase safe from the Eoss-Nichol
company for the use of the city, the
cost not t., exceed $44.50 The motion
carried.
Alderman Boyce of the water and
light committee reported that the Citi-
zens' Light and Transit company were
making preparations to give the city
the remaining lights it was due, and
had placed several of them. He stat
ed that the water pressure for do
mestic purposes had been very poor,
and he moved that the clerk serve no.
tice en- the Pine Bluff Light and Wa
ter company calling their attention
to the deficiency. The motion car
ried
Alderman Fox. of fire committee,
reported that the test Of the combi-
nation chemical engine and hook and
ladder truck made last Thursday,
had been eminently satisfactory and
that if there was q fault t. find with
the machine he was not sufficient