The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-06-10
COMMISSION HAS
 SECOND ELECTION
Policemen Have to be Elected
 by a Viva Voce Vote
OFFICERS PUT ON TRIAL
Brlzendine Found Guilty of Treating Citizens Roughly and Is Repri- manded-chief Wier Makes
 Ills First Monthly Report.

The police commission last night re- sclnded It's action in electing the patrol men by ballot at the May meeting and all of them were again elected viva voce. The action was taken on a. contention made by Commissioner Rudulph at the May meeting that election by ballot was illegal At the time Chairman Parker ruled against him, and he submitted the matter to City Attorney Smith, who gave as his opinion that the election had to be viva voce. Attorney Smith also stated that he did not think that a policeman would have certain rights which are vest ed In man with his office unless he was voted viva voce. This is under the ruling of the new constitution.
 Commissioner Rudulph raised the ques- ton again last night, and presented the letter of MT. Smith. The commission at once held a second election by present. ing the name of each policeman to oc- cupy the position on the force his badge calls for. and each of the members voted viva voce.
 Brizendine Found Guilty.
 Policeman r. L. Brizendine was placed on trial on charge of making an arrest in a manner unbecoming an officer and gentleman. He was found guilty and sen tenoed to receive reprimand from the chairman.
 The evidence In the case was that on Easter morning c. T. Faust went through the wrong gate at the Union depot to meet his wife and young baby who were coming in on the Louisville and Nashville train from Cincinnati and that Policeman Brizendine grabbed him in a rough man ner in the collar and thrust him out Of the gate and threatened to hit him with his club.
 The matter of eeetlng special police men was then brought up and Comfnls- sioner McCary made motion that Chair man Parker be instructed to swear in any special officer on application of his em- ployer and accompanied by a good req son. The motion was amended to read that the chairman make report at each meeting, and was carried.
 T. L. Perkerson was allowed reward of $2o for recovering a horse and buggy which had been stolen. Humane Officer Bennie was elected a special officer until May next
 Patton Case Heard.
 Two complaints against Policeman W. S. Patton were read charging him with not paying his debts. One was from Henry Burgin, who stated that on several occasions he had loaned Policeman Pat ton money and that he was unable to collect any of 1t back. The other was from Mrs B. H. Brizendine, who claim ed that she had rented the policeman house and that he had failed to pay her and that she could get no satisfaction. me matter was referred hack to Chairman Parker with a request to settle 1t if pos sible and not allow 1t to be brought be- fore the commission.
 Commissioner McCary reported that the matter of more policemen would be made the special order of business Tor the mayor and board of aldermen at the next regular session. He was chairman of committee to get more men II pos sible.
 Commissioner Johnston moved that they get some of the aldermen asleep and railroad the bill through the coun- ell. He was appointed a committee Of one to attend to arranging for the coun- cilmen to go into slumberland at the next session while the police bill Is being through.
 The report of the detectives for the past month was read and approved It showed that they had arrested five men for burglary and grand larceny and two for petit larceny. They also had reeov- cred $875 worth of stolen property.
 Chief Wier's Report.
 The report of Chief Weir for the month was made and received. It shows that there were fewer arrests last month than is usual It was as follows:
 Fines and fees collected. .... .$2234. 50
 Stolen property recovered.... 1449. 90
 Total.... ...,...........'. .@4ofS.oV
 Arrests for burglary and grand lar ceny, 22.
 Bound over to Criminal court, 9.
 Calls answered by evening mounted man, POI.
 Calls answered by morning mounted man, 75.
 Runs made by patrol wagon, 252
 Total number of arrests, S4l.
 Commissioner MeCary called attention of the commission to the fact that there Is considerable reckless driving on South Highlands and that several times recently people have been run over and Injured by cyclists and people driving recklessly, He asked that the chairman be instructed to have a patrolman placed on Twentieth street from Avenue H to Thirteenth ave- nue to arrest all who drive or ride rapidly down Van Hoose hill. Other commission CTS stated that reckless driving was gem eral all over the city and the chairman was instructed to tell Chief Wier to order the patrolmen to watch this more closely and arrest all guilty persons,