The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-10-12

the affairs OF the police department last
evening and rendered its verdict. The
board was behind closed doors for two
or three hours, but why IL should have
taken all that time IL Is difficult TO see.
There has never been any doubt regard
Ing the general tenor OF the finding from
the day. now nearly three months ago,
when Alderman Smith of the First ward
rose I'm his seat and made certain charges
against Mayer McNaly.
The First ward alderman had at that
time made up his mind that Mayor Nc
Nally was going to be condemned in some
way. lie wanted TO have the mayor Inn
peached, but after a little investigation
he learned that there was no law which
would permit this. Then IL was decided
that there should be an investigation just
Tor the looks OF the thing IL was not for
the purpose OF convincing Alderman
Smith or Alderman Davenport Both OF
them had made up their minds OF the
subject and IL didn't make any difference
what evidence was placed before them
the verdict was already in.
THE VERDICT.
That this statement is true is shown by
the verdict rendered. IL is found In the
long -winded resolution which was passed
last night that a certain man had paid
Mayor McNally a certain sum OF money.
AS a matter OF fact there was just one
statement OF that character. one witness
corroboration made the statement that he
did pay money TO the mayor. The after
testimony OF this witness was OF such
character that scarcely a court in the
land would have accepted II without
some other evidence to back II up. When
Mayor McNally went on the stand he alb
solutely denied the charge and there is
no person I'm the city OF Central Falls
with an atom OF fairness about him who
Will not say that the word OF Mayor Nc
Nally should be taken as readily as that
OF this witness. Yet the board in their
finding do not take anything into con-
sideration except the bare statement OF
this particular witness and accept IL as a
fact
One OF the rather laughable things in
this buresque Is the vote OF 'censure"
which Is given to Deputy Sheriff Arthur
Sherman. IL certainly seems rather tough
that the man who has done all OF the
dirty work In connection with this invest
cation; who has spent his time I'm hust-
ling about and working up the evidence
should find after all Is over that he, too,
merits the censure of the board. III the
people could take the resolution serious
ly IL might cause a feeling OF sympathy
for Officer Sherman, but so completeey
farcical Is the whole matter that this In
only little dash OF burlesque to wind UP
the scene.
BOWEN sTAID OUT
An interesting Incident in connection
with the m Getting last night was the fact
that although Attorney Bowen had been
selected by Alderman Smith TO take part
In the executive session at which the
board was TO complete its findings, that
gentleman with rather astonishing ex-
hibition OF fairness so far al outward ap-
-pearances- concluded to remain out
side OF the doors last evening and he and
Attorney Fitzgerald were to this extent
100 Iltst l. \
has had number of conferences with
certain members OF the board since the
close of the hearing and so there was
probably no necessity for his being in the
room last night.
Just previous 10 the board going into
executive session Mr.. Fitzgerald present.
ed to President Davenport the following
abatement:
MR.. FITzGERALD's STATEMENT.
To the Honorable the Board OF Aldermen
OF the City OF Central Falls:
Before you go into executive session
TO consider the evidence introduced at
the several bearings recently held and your
findings thereon, we desire I'm behalf OF
our client, Mayor McNally, TO make n
final appeal to you for what Theodore
Roosevelt calls a square deal" Such a re-
quest ought not to be nesessary, for there
is in the heart of every true man the de-
sire 10 see fair play Especially ought
suCn III spirit 10 perNane a DOdN like the
board OF aldermen of n city. sitting i'm
Judgment on the acts and conduct of 9TH
ers.
We have asked either that William NJ
T. Bowen, the prosecuting attorney. be
excluded from your executive session or
that we be admitted. Such a request Is
reasonable and just. To admit the attor-
-ney for one side and exeittde-the attor-
neys for the other side is not fair we sub
NIT
We have another request to make in the
interest of fairness and judicial decencv
and II is that Alderman Smith OF his own
volition withdraw from consideration OF
the case on the ground that he is not 4
disinterested and unbiased Judge OF the
evidence introduced In the case. II must
be apparent to Alderman Smith that for
him 10 sit I'm judgment I'm this case is a
travesty on justice. That he is the
prime mover in the prosecution; that he
has personally assisted I'm the prepara-
ton of the case; that he has been I'm fire.
quent conference with the prosecuting
attorney, both publicly while the rtlal
has been In progress and secretly be-
fore and after hearings that he has ex-
pressed his opinion frequently and ad-
versely 20 Mayor McNally, all Of which
disqualify him fro msitting In judgment
anud will make any judgment he may
render hollow mockery.
II Alderman Smith does not see fit To
decline TO sit In the executive session to-
night, we ask the board OF aldermen TO
request him to refrain from act, and W.
would consider Il only proper for other
members OF the board TO refuse 90 sit
with Alderman Smith I'm the consideration
OF the evidence introduced and I'm the nnd-
ings upon that evidence.
Respectfully submitted.
ATTORNEYS FOR MAYOR NLNALLY.
THE FINDING
IL was about 5 o'clock when the
board met I'm executive session. and 10
was about IL o'clock when there issued
from It's dark and mysterious confer
erence the following wonderful pro-
duction:
Whereas. this board OF aldermen Of
the city of Central Falls. has. upon
the petition OF various residents OF said
city, conducted q fun investigation OF
the method OF enforcement OF the Grim
inal laws OF the state in said city since
January l, A. II. 1905. and also to de-
tsrmine the responsibility OF such laws
during said period. and.