Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-11-17
Police Commissioners.

Police Commissioners.
The regular monthly meeting of the
Police Commissioners was held last night.
All the commissioners we're present and
Moor Paff presided.
After the reading of the minutes OF
the last meeting Mayor Paf announced
that he had examined the charges made
by Mr.. S. G. Brent, Commonwealth
Attorney, against certain members OF
the police force who, it was alleged, had
not given the Commonwealth's Attorney
proper aid during the trial of the par ties
who were charged with stealing and pur-
chasing whisky stolen from Mr.. Nj. r.
O'Sullivan's store. He did not think
the reflections had been confined to any
one member of the force, and that the
trouble arose from lack of discipline
prevailing at the time. While be did
not believe Mr.. Brent had received prop.
er support. the latter had not pushed
his relations with the officers az closely
as he might. He assured the commits
sioners. however, that should such state
of affairs be manifested again he would
Suspend the offenders. He had dismissed
the .:ase. and asked the commissions if
they desired to affirm his action.
Mr.. Fisher was in favor of the board
making an examination of the charges
aud made motion to that effect.
Mr.. Graham, who was absent when
the Mayor examined the case at the last
meeting, asked if the matter mad not
already been Investigated thoroughly.
The Mayor replied in the affirmative.
Mr.. Graham said be had overlooked
the fact that the case was to have been
examined at the last meeting and was
absent.
Mr.. Fisher said he did not concur in
the Mayors opinion in the matter. He
was not satisfied with such disposition
of the matter. He thought the board
should examine the charges when Mr..
Graham could hear all 10 connection
with them. In demurring from the
Mayors summoning up of the case be
desired to state that it was his wish TO
uphold the Mayor in all he was doing
for increasing the efficiency of the police
force. but he believed a bad precedent
was being set. and that somebody should
he dismissed from the force.
Mr.. Hill said the testimony at the
last meeting was conflicting, and it was
hard to say who was right.
Mr.. Fishe: reiterated that he would
like full board to hear the charges
against the officers.
Mr.. Graham said from the discussion
il might be implied that there was
something serious in the matter which he
had not heard-sUmething in the nature
of characterization He agreed with
Mr.. Fisher that some drastic measure
should be taken, but the commissioners
hands were, in a measure, tied they
could only dismiss. If the case did not
warrant such procedure he was OPP
posed to an investigation.
Mayor Paff said that while Mr.. Brent
had not received the support from mem
bers of the force to which he was en-
titled, it developed at the hearing that the
Commonwealth Attorney had not in
voked the aid of the police in the case
referred TO as closely as he might. he
had made no appointment with members
of the force in regard to the matter.
The Mayor referred to the fact that
evidence material to the Commonwealth
had been brought out in examining
Mr. Brent's charges which had been
withheld in the Corporation Court, but
he could not see how all the blame
rested with the police. The Mayor
referred to the fact that Lieutenant
Smith had readily reported to Mr.. Brent
everything in connection with the case
of a young .nsn who had been arrested
few days ago on the charge of stealing
iewelry on Southern Railway train,
and said Mr.. Brent had observed to him
that the police were more active than
usual and their work more satisfactory.
Mr.. Hill said he could not vote to dis
miss a member of the force on the evil
dence given at the last meeting. Should
another investigation be made nothing
new would develop.
Mr.. Fisher insisted on his motion
and vote being taken it was lost-ayes
Mr. Fisher, noes. Messrs. Hill and
Lawler. Mr.. Graham did not vote.
The colloQuy was continued after the
vote had been taken, during which the
members reiterated in the main their
previous observations.
Mr.. Fisher desired that the rules for
bidding lettering about the station house
be enforced.
Attention was called to the fact that
the rule had been printed and posted:
Nothing further occurring, the board
adjourned.
Euchre Party.