Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-05-21
Police Commissioners.

Inc regular mOnlnly meeting vi tiC
Board of Police Commissioners was held
last night. Mayor Simpson presided.
There were but two commissioners pres
ent-Messrs. Lawler and Graham.
The first subject which came up Tor
consideration was the proposition OF the
Board of Fire Wardens for the operation
of patrol wagon, the horse to be used
from one of the engine houses also an
arrangement by which the paid members
of the department could be allowed one
day out of seven, their places to be filled
by policemen.
Mayor Simpson said the proposition
did not meet with the approval of a
majority of the community.
After an interchange of opinion 1t was
decided to invite the wardens to meet
the commissioners at the next regular
meeting.
A communication was received from
sundry citizens asking the commission
ers not to accept the resignation OF Officer
James Griffin, giving various reasons
why he should be continued on the
force. A letter from Mr.. Griffin was
also read in which he asked to be allow
ed to withdraw his resignation.
Mayor Simpson recited the circum-
stances in connection with Mr.. Griffin's
resignation. One night early in May he
had received a note at his residence
which he found was that officers resig-
nation. He at first supposed it was
freak on the part of one of Mr.. Griffin's
family but next morning Lieutenant
Smith charged the officer with intoxica-
ton the previous night, Mr.. Samuel
Cuvillier, jr., having given the heuten-
ant the information upon which the
allegation was made. Mr.. Cuvillier,
who was in the audience in the Police
Court room, was requested to come for
ward and substantiate the lieutenants
statement. Mr.. Cuvillier admitted he
told the lieutenant that Mr., Griffin was
intoxicated, but that his statement was
not in the nature of charge. HIS
honor called attention to the fact that
tho resignation was directed to the ilayor
and Police Commissioners and 1t was Tor
the latter to determine what should be
done under the circumstances. The
Mayor said Mr.. Griffin was an active
and trustworthy officer. unsurpassed by
any other member Of the force.
Mr.. Lawler suggested that Mr.. Griffin
made more arrests than any other men,
Der of the force and preserved better
order in the First ward.
Mr.. Graham thought that should the
board refuse to accept the resignation
Mr.. Griffin should be made to face the
charge which had been made against
him. He further said that such allega-
tions should be carefully examined,
otherwise the commissioners would be
subject to just criticism or make them
selves objects of derisiOn. The speaker
was satisfied mistakes had heretofore
been made on this line, and cited an
instance where, he said, had proper
questions been put to witnesses or Others
been summoned the result would have
been different. Additional testimony
and further information which he had
received satisfied him of this fact. But
these matters had been disposed of and
would not be reopened. He only spoke
in reference to future examinations OF
charges against officers.
Mayor Simpson gave resume of the
evidence in the case referred to by Mr..
Graham, and said itwOuld have required
a preponderance of rebutting testimony
TO break down that of the reliable wit
nesses for the defense.
Mr.. Lawler made practical Observa-
tons concerning Mr.. Grifip's case and
that alluded to by Mr.. Graham. In
regard to the charge against Mr.. Griffin
he quoted from statement made to him
by an acquaintance which was to the
effect that the latter was not much i'm
pressed with the allegation which had |
been made against the officer
The resignation WAS not acted upon
and the matter was deferred until the next |
meeting.