Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-06-18
rnlice Commissioning.

lar meeting last night. Mr.. Hill was IN
Na,v Work and for some reason Mr..
Fisher failed to appear. This fact
brought forth an earnest protest from
Mr. Iawler, who said he had hoped each
member would be in his place at this
meeting. as business outside the regular
routine was to be transacted. He said it
was to be regretted that when any dirty
work or disagreeable business had to be
performed the duty devolyed upon bare
quorum. When people allowed them
selves to be elected to certain positions
they should fill them.
The first business in order was listen
ing to a proposition from the Board OF
Fire Wardens in regard to the purchase
of patrol wagon for the use OF the pc,
lice department. Messrs. Risheill and
Summers appeared on behalf of the
wardens. and the latter in succinct
manner stated that the paid members OF
the fire department had suggested that
thew be allowed a day in each week and
that their places be filled by members of
the police force also that the city pur-
chase patrol wagon to be drawn by
horses belonging to the fire department,
and operated by the paid members.
The matter was discussed from various
standpoints, although the Fire Wardens
did no. manifest much interest In the
proposition. but left it to the commits
sioners to Judge as to its feasibility. 1t
was finally determined to appoint com
mittee to confer with similar one OF the
Fire Wardens in regard to the matter
Neither the fire wardens present nor
the police commissioners were certain
whether the plan was practicable. The
MAYOR named Messrs. Graham and Law
Ter to represent the police board.
The case of Officer Griffin who had
offered his resignation at the last meeting
of the board was then taken up. AS has
heretofore been stated, the resignation
had been offered almost simultaneously
with a statement made to Lieut.. Smith
by Officer Grifin's brother-in-law, sam
uel Cuyillier, to the effect that the officer
had been drunk on the street. 1t was
decided that Officer Griffin had rightto
withdrawn his resignation.
An interchange of opinion followed as
to the mode in which the charge against
the officer should be disposed of and
whether witnesses could be made to APP
pear and testify.
Mayor Simpson was not clearly OF the
opinion that witnesses could be COM
PEELED to attend in cases where charges
against officers are to be Investigated.
A lengthy interchange of opinion con-
corning the powers of the Mayor and the
board then followed.
Mr.. Lawler said that under the new
constitution the commissioners were shorn
Of all power.
Mayor Simpson did not so under
stand the constitution, and gave his
reasons for his deductions. AS the law
now stands, he said, the action Of the
Mavor could not be set aside by the
board except upon an appeal from the
policeman affected. Under the old law
the board could review his action and
set it aside at their own discretion.
Mr.. Lawler said the Police Board was
limited to one single stroke-that was
dismissal. 1t had no power to
suspend or reprimand.
Mr.. Graham thought that in view Of
this fact the Mayor should first inyesti-
gate and pass judgment in cases where
charges had been preferred against
officers.
This was agreed to by Mr.. LAWYER
and the view was affirmed by the Mayor,
whereupon Mr. Griffin was summond
and the investigation was proceeded
with.
Lieutenant Smith then called the
names of the following witnesses: Sam
uel Cuvillier, John Bartlett, VIM. West,
Hugh Latham, Samuel Fisher, Andrew
Nicholson (policeman), VIM. Wattles
and John Ennis. Messrs. Cuvillier,
Latham, Fisher and Nicholson, the
three most material witnesses, failed to
appear. The evidence of the Others did
not prove the charge Of drunkenness
which had been preferred, and MIR
Griffin was exonerated and allowed to
resume his place upon the force.
Mr.. Lawler was rather caustlc In his
structures upon those persons who had
preferred charges against Officer Griffin
70 Lieutenant Smith and then refused to
appear and testify when summoned.
The Mayor expressed the appreciation
of the board for the witnesses who had
appeared and thanked them for their
attendance.
Lieutenant Smith read out the names
of the absent witnesses and gave sum-
mary of what they averred they had
seen. Their testimony, according to
the lieutenants statement, was most
important.
The board subsequently adjourned.
During the meeting the Mayor was
asked if the board was not clothed with
power to compel the attendance o.
witnesses where charges againsta police
man were being investigated. Hii
honor stated that he could not give q
positive answer to the question, but HI
believed under the new State law
persons refusing to obey summons IL
such cases stood in contempt and coul'
be punished. Today the Mayor had
consultation with Commonwealth's AT
torney Brent in regard to the matte
when the latter informed him that un
der present laws witnesses could be com
PEELED to appear in such cases.
The Weather.
The cool weather of the past week wa
followed yesterday by sultry conditions
and late in the afternoon a slate-colore
cloud loomed up in the western heaven