The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-08-02
MINNEAPOLIS CHIEF ACTS ON
MAYORS ADVICE TO AVOID
DISCHARGE
"COFFEE JOHN" FlTCHETTE
Is BOUNCED BY POWERS
Minneapolis Police Tangle Being Grad
ualiy Straiehtened-City Attorney
Rules That If Mayor Ames Resigns
Now a Special Election Must Be
Held, Which Would Cost $4,000.

At 3:4O yesterday afternoon Col.
Fred w. Ames, acting upon request of
his brother, Mayor Ames, appeared be-
fore Acting Mayor Fred M. Powers,
who was holding forth in City Attor-
ney Healy's office, and presented his
voluntary resignation as superintend-
ent of police of the city of Minneapolis,
to take effect Immediately.
Col. Ames appeared in company with
his private secretary, E. E. Wheelock.
He said: Acting Mayor Powers, I
hereby tender you my resignation"
Col. Ames stood in a dignified, silent
attitude while Mr.. Powers read his res
ignation, and after the reading had
been finished, Mr.. Powers indorsed on
the document, Resignation accepted
Aug. 1, 1902
Ames Has Nothing to Say.
After the ordeal Col, Anes said he
had nothing to say for publication.
except that he was sorry it was neces-
sary for him to be compelled to take
this step just at the present time, on
account of the indictments that were
out against him. However, he said, he
would now prepare to face any and all
Vlnd1cated in the eyes of the public.
The following is the written resigna-
ton of Col. Ames:
Minneapolis, Mimi, Aug 1, 19O2-Hon.
Fred M. Powers, Acting Mayor, City of
olis-My Dear Sir: The present
unfortunate situation of affairs in this
city as affecting it's police department,
coupled with recent developments from
which it appears that Mayor Ames has
expre\sed a desire that I retire from the
once OF superintendent of police, have,
together with other considerations, rem
dered it advisable, in my Judgment. to
place in your hands my resignation as
such superintendent to the end that such
acton may be taken thereon by your
self and the city council as may seem
advisable.
Press Has ViIified Him.
am aware that in rendering my resig-
nation at this time may lend color to the
oft-repeated assertion in the local press
made promises to the mayor to resign my
position; | have been charged in the news
papers with, breaking faith and violating
such alleged promises, and generally /
nave been villified and abused by the
press, Without stint and without mercy
W1sn, however, to say to you in all sin
.,1 Gerry Inat never at any time OF place
made any promise to any person whom
soeyer that / would resign my position
under any circumstances whatever; 1 am
pr{onpted In doing so now chiefly for the
following reasons:
1 appreciate the embarrassment in
Whlch you might be placed in view of your
present position in the council and can
dldacy for the office Of mayor, in the
event that you might feel it your duty
10 exercise your authority to declare nv
office vacant; the local press demands
Sucn action on your part and I do not
wish to involve you, myself, or the police
department in legal entanglementS which
would undoubtedly follow if I were com
PEELED, In justice to myself, to defend my
office.
Il further, realize that the tendency of
the present bribery charge against me,
Notwithstanding my recent -acquittal of
a. similar charge after most exhaustive
trial, coupled with similar charges against
other members Of the department and the
mayor do not tend to the Improvement
OF the morale of the force; such a condi-
tlon, no matter how much undeserved,
tends to initiate against the efficiency of
any department which is subject to daily
assaults by the public press even to the
extent of announcing to the world that
our city is without government for the
protection ~ef the lives or property of its
citizens.
In this perplexing situation, and ac-
tuated by the sole desire to do that which
will best promote the interests of our
city as whole, feel that am justified
IN taking this step. Respectfully yours
Fred W. Ames,
superintendent of Police.
Capt. GetchelI Appointed.
had handed in his resignation, Acting
Mayor Powers appointed Capt. Henry
Getchell, of the Fifth precinct as act
ing superintendent of police, and he is
to act in that capacity until the return
of Mayor Ames or President of the
Council Aid. D. P. Jol-es, either of whom
upon their return to the city, would
have the power of revoking the ap-
pointment should they see fit, and ap-
point a successor.
No Immediate Changes.
Acting Superintendent Getchell said
that he did not intend to make any
changes in the assignment of the force,
as it now stood, but If in few DAYS a
change was deemed necessary he
would feel as though it was his duty
to make such changes, but he trusted
that the present arrangement might be
satisfactory and no radical changes be
made. Before anything was done he
would confer with the acting mayor.
and they together would take such ac-
ton as might be deemed best. Acting
Superintendent Getchell will only re-
ceive a captains salary.
"Coffee John" Resigns.
Capt. Coffee John" Fitchette receiy-
ed the following letter from Acting
Mayor Powers yesterday: you are
hereby notified that on and after this
date your services as police captain
and police officer are hereby termi-
mated for the good of the department. -
Continued on Third Page.