The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1902-12-23
MUCH EXPLOITED POLICE COM.
MISSION REPORT MADE.
NO HEADS ARE HACKED OFF
Variety Show Keeper Made Scape
grace and Something Is Said
About Censure.
From Saturdays Daily Gazette.

~ ONCAA q . DolAy 0dAOILCs
The much heralded demonstration
Of the allied powers Of the police com
mission and the city council has beer
made. 1t took place last night, but sc
far as results are concerned it die
not W attain the dignity of a
peaceful blockade" and Mayor
George is no President Castro, not by
any means. He is still supreme and
has been shorn of none of his author
ity. In fact he seemingly retains a
firmer hold on the reins than ever.
despite all the talk that has been
heard of what was going to be done
when the time arrived. 1t is true
that the combined fleet of the enemy
paraded and made a brave show of
force-and then withdrew without as
much as a blank shot having been
fired.
Something like this happened: The
council met in adjourned regular ses-
sion to hear the mysterious report
of the police commission, a report
that was to raise the roof of the city
hall and fill the air with the shrieks
of the wounded and dying. Some few
routine matters were disposed of and
Alderman Bennington arose and init
mated that the time had arrived for
taking up the real business of the
meeting. He reminded the other
members that when the council ad-
journed last Tuesday night it was to
meet again Friday night to receive
the report of the police commission.
That report was prepared for sub
mission, he said, and then moved that
the council adjourn to some place
where a secret meeting could be held
for the purpose of hearing and dis
cussing the report. He included the
mayor and city clerk in the motion.
Alderman White wanted to know if
the city attorney also was to be per-
mitted to hear the awful disclosures
that were about to be made.
Before reply could be made the city
attorney himself suggested that it
was his duty to attend all meetings
of the council, and as this was only an
adjourned regular session he could not
see how he could very we'll be ex-
cluded, if he wished to avail himself
of his right, not to say anything about
the matter of performing his duty.
Mr.. Bennington promptly arose to
dispute. He said no law matters
would be involved and that the coun-
Gil certainly had enough dignity to
send for the attorney if it thought
his advice was needed. He was op-
posed to anyone but the aldermen,
mayor and city clerk being present at
the secret meeting for which he had
moved.
Mr.. Johnston still adhered to his
position, but declared that he had no
desire whatever to attend, as he had
no interest n way or another in the
matter, and intimated that he didn't
care what the council did in the
premises.
Before the discussion could assume
a more interesting phase Alderman
White moved that the city attorney
be included among the select who
were to hear the report.
The motion prevailed, only Mr.. Ben
nlghoff voting in the negative.
Mr.. Johnston, however, did not
care to avail himself of the implied
honor and remained behind, to play
a game of Slough with Chief Jack
son and the county attorney.
The question of a suitable room in
which the august body of ordinance
propellers was to meet where it could
be free from intrusion and interrun.
ton now came up. After several sug-
gestions and an offer from Deputy
Sheriff Robbins to place the sheriff's
ONCE at the disposal of the council,
~ was Hnally decided to adjourn to
the Grand hotel and accept the offer
OF a room by Mr.. Bennighoff. The
u then adjourned to meet again,
IN a half hour. it was said, but more
than twice that length of time elapsed
before the footsteps of the returning
law givers were heard resounding on
the stairs leading to the second story
of the city hall.
Instantly all conversation ceased,
The solo" game which had become
ceased and the whist play
ers at another table respectfully nut
their cards by, without even waiting
to finish the deal. Everyone in the
room assumed an air of eager expect
lncy and with bated breath awaited
The pronunciamento about to be