The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-06-19
MATTHEWS GIVEN
ONLY REPR|MAND

peat the story in this form"
The chief further denied that he had
asked Meinhold to show any strong pic
lures. Nashs testimony as TO strong pic
| lures depends on Meinhold's statements
and Melnhold's testimony as to the same
is contradicted by the chief. This is the
substantial issue in the case
Testimony was presented against and
| In favor OF the credibilty OF Nash. II
was proven and admitted that Nash as
owner and Meinhold as Manager had con-
Quoted illegal games at Crescent Park u
to two years ago, and that both had been
convicted In the past OF certain offences
against the law sn other states.
The games referred TO were some OF
a gambling nature and certain other and
cheating devices were employed to secure
money, and although Nash claimed that
he did not authorize the games and de-
vices, he cannot escape responsibility as
he was the proprietor Of the concessions
and grounds on which they were operated
at Crescent Park
ITO convict the chieef OF police on the
testimony Of men OF such character. their
testimony being the only material testi-
mony I'm the case against him. in view OF
his long record OF faithful service 10 the
city without any previous complaint ever
having been made against him. is I'm my
mind wrong and Unjust and / cannot
| agree with the other members OF this
board In their decision.
Il do not see that the charges have
been maintained by the required prepon-
derance OF testimony. In the matter OF
the alleged strong picture incident II is
Meinhold's word alone against the chief s
word; and Meinhold did not even claim
that the alleged suggestion by the chief
about putting In strong pictures was FOL-
lowed up by the chief In any manner. or
that he even inquired afterwards as "a
whether Nash would agree to II or not.
There is no evidence In this case that
any alleged plans or suggestions OF the
| chief TO injure Mr.. Cristy were carried
out; but, on the other hand, he defends
Mr.. Cristy in his interview with the Rev.
Mr.. Selleck and Mr.. Arnold
II do not think that the chief should
be found guilty upon any mere suspicious
not warranted by the evidence; and In my
| opinion there is not only no preponder-
ance OF testimony against him, but there
is no credible evidence indicating that he
| Is guilty OF the charges made against
| him"
On motion OF Col. Gross the board
adopted a new rule which provides
that the chief OF police. deputy chic,
and captains hereafter are TO be chosen
for one year only, and that the per-
sons now holding these offices are "a
| continue I'm office until next Februe ry
The term OF chief OF police, before
the commission took office, was three
years. The new rule Is designed TO
serve as a check upon the high OFF,
cials OF the department.
When Chief Matthews was asked II
| he had any statement TO make, he
never raised his eyes from the decision
he was reading and answered II have
nothing TO say"
The board went into session at 2 p. M
| promptly taking up routine business
while awaiting the arrival OF City Solici
tor Albert A. Baker.
l. Mr.. Pierce wore a brilliant red rose
| but the other commissioners, having de
voted their attention almost exclusively
TO their fnding In the Matthews case, had
| paid no attention 10 personal adornment
| Chairman Luther and Col Gross spent
more than two hours together, before
| noon at Col. Gross office and closetec
with the city solicitor with whom they
remained 45 minutes.
| Mr. Pierce had entered the Industria
| Trust building Is minutes ahead of them
and he left minutes prior to their de
| parture.
Presumably. the finishing touches were
| given to the official decisions while the
| commissioners were in conference with
| Mr.. Baker.
Not one OF them would vouchsafe any
! information concerning the nature OF
| their finding
Col. Gross contented himself. In reply &c
| a question, with the statement that the
| boards finding would not be long and
| that Il would not be long after the ses
| sion opened this afternoon before II would
be made public
The commissioners then went to dinner
All were at the board chamber ahead OF
time this afternoon and talked freely o'
everything except the case in hand
Rev Mr.. Cristy was seen at noon anC
asked II he proposed to attend the meet
ing this afternoon.
II have not been notified" he said, ''ant
shall not be present"
Asked if he expected a verdict agains
the chief. he said;
II would not have flied the charges I
had not expected TO prove them.
II have no interest in the degree o.
| punishment 70 be imposed. The fact tha
have won should be OF great help e
me In my work as president OF the Rhod,
Island Temperance league. ! am sure 1
! will help me TO get along better with tn,
police all over the state.
II have received letters from many men
some signed and others anonymous. con
tanning all kinds OF threats Most o.
these have come since report said tn,
chief OF police had been convicted.
Some wanted to know II liked IN,
idea OF throwing down a Protestant II
order that a Roman Catholic might ge
his position; and others contained threats
have paid no attention to any OF these
communications"
Mr.. Cristy said he intended 10 be ou
OF the city this afternoon. and therefor.
he could not be reached by reporter,
| after the verdict was made publfo