The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1905-10-20
VIDA ROASTED
INVESTIGATION PAU

Supervisors the Alleged Assault on Edward Townsend
Drop the Matter
The supervisors dropped the Vida charges night passed
resolution severely censung Vida for assault Edward Town
send who brought the charges Townsend failed the
meeting and the committee appointed investigate the matter
ported that he had failed attend its meetings Police Captain Par
ker the meeting last night look for him,
but returned with report that Townsend to be found
Considerable heat shown the discussion of the matter Super
visor Adams Directing being dropped The failure of Townsend
the board that the incident should closed Chair
Smith reported having received by mail special delivery the fol
lowing letter:
Hon Geo W. Smith Chairman Board of Supervisors County of
Dear Sir: desire this time withdraw my complaint against
Assistant Sheriff Vida for the incident in his office on the 9TH inst be-
tween himself and and which your Honorable Board
81 feel satisfied that what occurred at that time was done on the
impulse of the and that due Mr. Vida whom have the
greatest confidence in that he should be exonerated from all blame
81 therefore request that your Honorable Board discontinue the
investigation and exonerate Mr.. Vida.
Il beg to remain, yours very respectfully
receiving letter and
Townsend had agreed attend the Board meeting Smith said he
and the Board Townsend had stated questions that
lie had written the letter himself, without pressure.
Moore moved discharge the investigating committee drop
the matter and Adams made kick He said there
demanded that there be report stating whether he had been correct
not in his statement that Vida had invited citizen to the police
saion and assaulted him.
Moore said that impossible find Townsend that if he
had any charge to make he should show up.
Lucas said that Townsend had tried up job Vida and
Brown and that the assault denied by He o
hhow why Townsend was absent.
started to kick at this declaring reflection him, but the chair
ordered him to keep his seat
Adams said that the point he wanted settled whether police
officer could call citizen the station and assault him 81 under
stand that Mr. Vida has said that his assault nothing
pared to what took place during Sheriff Hens administration Is
that Mr.. Vida? asked Adams.
eyes, sir" replied Vida
Adams again insisted that a be show
whether his former report true
Paele said the
send had been assaulted should proceed against
Smith said he did favor the discharge the He
thought severely the officer guilty the assault
and call the sheriff that repeated "Th fact
that occurred under administration why
should be continued" said Smith
AT this point Archer wanted Vida asked whether
the assault or not. The chair asked the question.
Il slapped TownSends face replied Vida Everybody gave
voluntary shudde but the members the Board quickly
and continued the discussion.
Sheriff Brown called upon He said he had
and thought the matter had enough Vida realized
had Overstepped the
II he suspended There refreshing directnes
ness about Browns way of dealing with the proposition
Smith and Adams voted against the motion
When the motion had passed Smith offered the following
which passed unanimously:
Whereas That the special committee appointed to in
vesgate the charge against Special Officer Vida has
ascertain assault committed by Officer Vida
townsend, which assault admitted therefore, be it
Resolved That the Board Supervisors desires express
condemnation of of this by officer the police
and that this Board calls the County Sheriff that
brutality be permitted by member of the police force
The following letter from the Sheriff presented by Adams
ng the discussion
In Townsend affair with Saturday afternoon con
corning which the Advertiser had much
beg state that the affair opinion greatly exaggerated
said paper
81 have cautioned Vida against repetition and if the
Police Committee feel that further should be taken
would ask that full and complete hearing
Very respectfully, GA M. BROWN,
Sheriff County Oahu"