Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-03-09
MEMBERS OF POLICE DEPART
MENT REMOVED FOR ACTIVE
PART ~ POLITICS..
WORKED FOR PHILLIPS
Three of,cers Who Were Delegates to
the Democratic City Convention
Lose Their Plaees-o OFFICER Joseph
Beeman Resigns Voluntarily.

From Wednesdays Daily.
Three members of the police depart
ment were removed from their posi-
tions last night by Mayor T. H. Pick
Ter for the active part they took at the
primaries and convention in the in
terests of T. j. Phillips the success
full candidate for the democratic NOM
ination for mayor. Mayor Pickler was
a candidate for denomination, but the
Phillips faction had an Overwhelming
majority at the convention.
The three men are not accused OF
neglect Of duty but are admitted to be
among the most efficient members of
the force. They were Night Captain
Peter Gallagher. Night Sergeant Jesse
Grammer and Patrol and Ambulance
Driver George Ryttenberg. This morn
ing Officer Joseph Beeman voluntarily
rendered his resignation and it Is prob
able that other officers will resign. All
four have been in the service a num-
ber of years and have clean and cred
table records.
Was Surprise.
The action Of the mayor came with
out warning and was a complete sur
prise. Night Captain Gallagher was
the first to get the official axe. Shortly
after the close Of the convention he
was called into the private office Of
Mayor Pickler at the police station
and informed that he was no longer
in the service of the city and asked
to surrender his star and gun. After
ward Driver Ryttenberg and Sergeant
Grammer were called in one at a time
and apprised of their removal. Mayor
Pickler told them that while he re-
gretted to take such action be believed
| is was for the goo dof the service.
Mayor PIokier Talks.
Mayor Picker stated this morning
that the three officers we're removed
because he believed that they would
be taking an active part in the
municipal campaign in the next few
weeks and would be unable to give
their official duties their whole at
tention. Also If they had continued in
their positions l. would probably have
brought many men around the police
station whose presence is not pleasant
to the mayor owing to the active part
they took against him during the re-
cent contest for the mayoralty nomina-
tion. He stated that he had no Ill feel
ing toward the men, but that they
were capable efficient officers.
The contest between T. ]. Phillips
and Mayor Pickler for the nomination
was hot one and for some time 1t
has been known that there was a
division of sentiment among the mem.
bers of the police force. A few days
before the democratic primaries Mayor
Picker issued an order to tho effect
that the police should attend to their
official duties and take no active part
in politics in favor Of any candidate.
Act as Delegates,
| Night Captain Gallagher, Sergeant
Grammer and Driver Ryttenberg were
delegates to the convention and from
wards which cast their entire vote
for Phillips. It was this violation o1
his order which Mayor Pickler gives as
his principal reason for removing the
three men and says that though they
may have wished to work against hin
they could have done so without TAX
ing such an active part in the prima
ries and convention. He says that he
had no intention Of removing Officer
Beeman and expressed his surprise a,
his resignation.
Have Good Records.
Peter Gallagher was patrolman un
der Mayor T. j. Phillips and made 6
splendid record. his appointment as
night captain by Mayor T. H. Picklel