The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-08-20

A few days ago the attention OF the
board OF police commissioners was called
20 a case which seemed TO involve an
officer in conduct of a reprehensible
character.
A careful investigation was begun.
Chairman Luther making II his personal
business 10 get down to the bottom line
OF the trouble
In this work he was assisted by Chief
Matthews. Having secured adj possible
information, the board waited for the
matter to be brought before the court
The facts are, II is stated. that James
L. Wallace. who has licensed saloon on
Atwelrs avenue, was arrested at 1895
O'Clock on the morning OF August 18th by
Patrolmen c. s. Young and J. e. Henry.
upon the charge OF reveling: that Lieut.
whipple. when he had talked with
wallace and the officers. released the
prisoner upon his own recognizance TO ap-
pear In court that morning; that wallace
pleaded not guilty and asked for a trial
which was set down for today, and that
up TO this time he had never had black
his business strictly within the law to
the best knowledge and belief Of the
board.
In the trial OF this complaint 1t was
developed that Wallace had closed his
saloon Just before 12 o'clock. Thursday.
August 1lth, and was about 10 go to his
house 10 obtain the back door key which
he had neglected TO bring with him.
AT this tuncture he was accosted by
Patrolman Henry, who opened a con-
versation by accusing him of having made
the assertion that he. Wallace, had said
that he. Wallace, had been the means Of
having Patrolman Tracy removed from
that beat.
Wallace denied this. adding that II
would have been the height Of absurdity
for a licensed saloon keeper to indulge
in that kind OF talk.
Henry insisted that the brag had been
made and was defied by Wallace 10 pro-
duce any man who heard him make the
remark
The officer at once brought up a man
who denied as promptly having heard
Wallace make the remark attributed ID
him.
This appeared 10 rile the officer, who
asserted that he Wallace, had for a year
been conducting an illegal business.
Wallace began 10 get hot. asserting that
Henry had been away from that beat for
year and that he didn't know what nc
was talking about.
Then Henry said that If he were Tracy
he would do Wallace. The latter re-
piled that he, Henry. couldn't do him, or
any one else, SD long as he, Wallace. was
minding bis own business.
Both were now talking loudly and tho
upshot was that Wallace. angered by thus
being haited. made use of forccful. II not
elegant language.
Henry made n grab at Wallace, seiz-
ing him by the shirt front near the COL
lar. yanked him about and tore the gar
meLt.
Wallace asked Henry not TO use him IA
such way. lie was. he declared, no
! murderer. Rather than make any scene
| he would quietly submit 10 an arrest
Wallace asked citizen 10 rap on the
window OF his. Wallace's house, and ask
| Mrs. Wallace to hand out a coat.
Henry told the citizen not 10 move;
| that Wallace was 10 go to the station
| without that garment
A request 70 another citizen TO get the
| coat caused Patrolman Young 10 tell the
| man not 10 stir.
Mrs. Wallace hearing the disturbance,
came 10 the window and was about TO
| get her husbands coat when Henry also
| forbade her 10 move.
Thus Il was that the saloon keeper,
guarded by two onicers, his shirt badly
| torn, was hustled in the hurry-up wagon
10 the Fourth Police station.
The sworn evidence supported the mar
rations Chairman Luther and Chief Mat
| thews had heard.
Judge Lyman said that the lansuas,
used by Wallace would under ordinar,
! circumstances have constituted revelling
but II had been provoked by improper
conduct on the part Of Patrolman Henry
I al
Lyman said.' TO criticise the police: bu
| in this instance he could not forbear from
| doing so.
Patrolm2 Henry had seen the salooi
closed for the night; had observed n SINAI
| crowd dlsperse and knew that everything
was quiet and peaceable.
Instead OF going about his business. h
loitered on the corner and. seeking th
opportunity addressed wallace as the lat
ter was entering his house. accosted hlm