Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1905-02-21
OFFICER JACOBS REINSTATED
NOT GUILTY OF CHARGES
PREFERRED.
1t Was Only An Act of Indiscre-
tion-Fined $500 And
Restored to The
Force.

the police force of the city ON the
charges preferred by the Chief of Po-
lice for drunk and disorderly conduct
upon information furnished by one OF
the city's aldermen, Officer Jacobs
was restored to the force last night by
an almost unanimous vote of the
Council upon the payment OF fine
of $50. 90.
At the hearing last night Mr.. Cute
not, the manager of the Colonial cafe,
and the colored boy, Ernest James,
the attendant of the oyster bar, the
two important witnesses in the case,
were present and testified before the
Council what took place in the cafe.
They both testified TO the officer being
under the influence of liquor, and OF
his taking a drink at the bar. He
then went over to the oyster bar,
where the colroed boy was and order
ed him to get out, and upon his refus-
ing to move, drew his revolver upon
him and remarked he would make
him go.
Mr.. Guienot said he had never seen
the nan before that night and he
didn't know who he was until he was
told he was a police officer. Here Al
derman Williams asked several ques-
tions, but was interrupted by some of
the members of the board as not being
germane TO the issue. After the two
witnesses had given their testimony
officer Jacobs was asked If he had any
thing further to say in his own behalf,
and replied that he had not.
Alderman Williams moved that the
board 90 into executive session and
that the room be cleared of its occu-
pants. Counsellor Riley moved that
the representatives OF the press be al
lowed to remain. There was some
difference of opinion as TO making the
deliberations of he board star cham
Der affair, and Alderman Thompson.
+. H., read from the City Code where
all the proceedings should be public,
and he moved the reconsideration of
the motion to exclude the public, which
was carried by yea and nay vote,
and the doors were opened.
The Clerk was directed to read the
charges. Alderman Williams moved
that each member be allowed five
minutes in which to explain his vote
on the charges, as his name was called
by the CLERK. Alderman Martin moved
that the charges be not sustained,
which motion was lost. Alderman
Williams, who lead the opposition,
made some forcible remarks. He said
there had not been q witness who tes-
tilted upon his oath that the accused
was not under the influence of liquor
and acted in a disorderly manner, and
that it had been testified before this
board tonight that he had gone into
the cafe in the theatre and there took
a drink and pointed a revolver at a
person which of itself was felonious
offense. He then read at some length
from the City Code the duties OF Off
Ger when on duty. He said after re-
viewing all the testimony of the wit
nesses he could not see but one thing
for the board to do-to dismiss the
man from the force.
Counsellor Riley said the first con-
sideration to look at was the officer on
duty. To his mind the officer was on
duty, and it was very grave offense
for an officer TO point pistol at per-
son whether loaded .or unloaded; this
he considered an act of disorderly con-
duct. He could not see how it would
be construed. in any other way. As
TO the other charges, he did not think
the testimony was conclusive.
Alderman Strange differed with the
Counsellor, and said he thought the
charges had been sustained in every
particular.
Alderman Baer said he thought it
was a very grave otfense for an officer
to point pistol at any person and he
should be punished for 1t.
Alderman Thompson, +. H., said
had this been the first charge brought
agains officer Jacobs, he could afford
to be lenient He said he could con-
ceiye nothing more horrible than for
an officer of the law to draw a wea-
pom upon another person; he thought
the charges had been fully sustained
in his case, both for disorderly con-
duct and being under the influence of
liquor. He read at some length from
the City Code the duties of police Off
GERS and commented on the same.
Alderman Thompson, Il. A, thought
it was a very embarrassing position
and the question in his mind was
whether or not the officer was on
duty, after getting permission from the
Chief of Police to go TO the theatre
in citizens dress.
Counsellor Riley said he wanted to
be frank about the matter; he admit
red that the officer had done wrong
and should be punished, but he did not
feel like saying he should be kicked
off the force; he believed in giving the
Young man a chance to redeem him.
self: he did not believe in dealing too
harshly with q man. and thought the
board could afford in this case to be
lenient; that we were small COM
munity and knew each other, and are
more or less dependent upon one an
other. He didn't wish to condOne the
mans offense, but he thought he could
suggest a way out of the difficulty
and at the same time punish the man
and restore him Ito the force. 1t was
IN the province of this board to i'm
pose a penalty that would be equally
severe. 1t was a question in his mind
whether the man was on duty at the
time; that he had been guilty of con-
duct unhecoming an officer, and
should be fined accordingly, he would
offer the following modification of the
charges:
'sOrdered-That with the consent of
the officer making the charges, the
words intoxicated and acting in q
disorderly manner be Withdrawn and
the charge of ''conducE unbecoming
an officer, as per section 2, rules and
regulations governing the police force
be substituted F"
Alderman Williams called for the
voas and navs unan the motion which