Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-09-10
BRO " NELL CHIEF OF POLICE
Maj ority of Aldermen Take This
View of the Question.
Approve His Monthly Pay Roll, but
Mayor Burke Declares lie VIII
Not Sign It-Strcct Light
Ing Contract.

Two police pay rolls were presented TO
the board of aldermen at the regular
meeting Monday evening; one hv Chief
Rrownell and one by Chief Russell. the
former being ordered paid and tho latter
being laid upon the table. The bill pre-
scented by Chief Brownell had been ap-
proved by the aldermanic committee.
while that presented by Chief Russell
was not approved
When the bills came nm a hriaf die
cussion was INDUCED in. Alderman Shea
thought both bills should be referred to
the city attorney to get his opinion as to
which should be paid He said the hoa rd
of aldermen was not competent to decide
the fine LEGAL points in the case. After
Alderman Shea had ceased Alderman Nor
gan moved that Chief Brownell's bill he
paid. Alderman Shea Immediately moved
that the bill be referred to the CITY at
torney and Alderman Courtney offered an
amendment to the effect that all officers
except the chief be paid but thar his
salary be held up until an opinion from
the city attorney could be secured
yea and nay vote was called for and the
amendment was lost by a tie vote. which
was as follows:
Voting ves-Aldermer Coffav Reevos
Courtney. Trick and shea.
Voting no-Aldermen Morgan, Parker.
Richardson, Stiles and Taft.
After the vote was taken the question
was raised as to why the aldermanic com
mittee should approve Chief Brownelrs
bill when n legal question was involved
This led Alderman Richardson TO saw that
the committee could not see any legal
question lie said that charges had been
preferred against Chief Taowneu but they
had been found unsupnortod bv the no
lice examiners and the committee could
not see but what Mr.. Browneu was still
chief.
Aldermen Courtney and Shea said that
they wanted the regular policemen to
have their pay but that they should vote
no when the bill came IN on Alderman
Morgans motion. Tho matter of the ex-
pense of the police department came I'm
at this point and Alderman Richardson
said that the committee on accounts and
claims would not again endorse the nav
rolls of the men who were taking the
places of the suspended policemen. who
were drawing nav hut VIII, were NOT doing
duty.
Alderman Shea insisted that tho cues
ton of the pay rolls be referred to the
city attorney. He said that II civ A.
torney Brown reported that Chief Brow
nell's roll should be paid he would vote
for it.
Mavor Rurke addressed Tho hoors 90
this point. saving that some n,arohors
wore taking hastv actiop IN roaora -
the bill. He said that II was ey;dent w.
soma ren,hers u,ere trvrr o., ,,,,a -
trea'er mess OF me ponce middle and
.""' Cijos D. ~, S's" al! warrant 10
f"tSr n,,o ans 49,
Cor ~, ldnrr,an ,tono,o, a' .iIet ealieu u
~ ri, US ordnroh 80 'tp1'un anu
~ vote. f''N ~ '''0 ioiio"
votins vac A,aor,o, No., o,
pichardscr ctiIos To .. 80 ~, al "e' :
Voting no-AIdorman So,o,, Co.
peaves and sboa ''e'' N'' '"eS'
Cbief Bussail,s ro, ,,,o. lot, ,, 49,
teble aftor Cbief RrnnnoII,, ~, u ~ NV
ordered Maid wa ''''' 'ee''
The amount of Chief Rrovre,l,e hin wa e
.1liS 50 The list of of8cers dieeao ~ ".7
sidorohly fror, ~ ro,, ,,r,,,,,, i. go ~
Russell The latter's roll announced 70 e.