The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-05-23
CHIEF C., ". JONES
WAS RE|NSTATED
BeSSemer Aldermen Dismiss
Charges by Unanimous Vote
STATEMENT BY THE MAYOR
Sullivan Claims That the Police De.
partment Is corruat-Bosrd of
Trade Wants Pike to
ParkWood.
STATEMENT BY THE MAYOR

Bessemer. May 22.--(Special) THE City
! Council held a special meeting in the
city hall at o'clock this evening to con-
slider the charges against Chief of Police
| G. w Jones, who was suspended some
| days ago by Mayor Sullivan, pending an
investigation into his conduct. The Mayor
and the full board were present.
The Mayor stated the object of the
meeting and read the charges against the
chief. alleging that he was guilty of neg
leet of duty, and that he refused to make
the arrests of persons whom the Mayor
thought ought to be arrested. After the
| charges had been read Alderman Lewis
| arose and stated that while some of the
charges against the chief were frivolous,
there were some of a more serious nature;
but that he, with other members of the
board. had investigated the charges thor
oughly and that they realized that they
had not given the chief the assistance
that they should have. He declared that
in the future the board intended to as
sist the chief as they should, and said
that they believed Bessemer has in Chief
Jones one Of the best chiefs that it has
ever had. In view of all Of this he, there
fore. moved that all of the charges be
dismissed and that Chief Jones be rein
stated in full possession of his office
On roll call the entire Board of Alder
men adopted the motion and Chief Jones
was declared reinstated in his office.
At this juncture Mayor Sullivan asked
to be allowed to make a statement. He
said that the police department was the
most corrupt he had ever known, but
that in the future he would let 1t rest
with the police committee, where 1t be-
longed. He declared that he would not
be responsible to the city of Bessemer Tor
the efficiency of its police.
The suspension of the chief and other
officers some days ago aroused a great
deal of talk in the city, and 1t was
thought the trial would bring out sensa-
tional evidence To the credit OF the de-
partment, however, it must be said that
the suspended men were exonerated from
the charges against them and the faith
of the people in the efficiency of the po-
lice department remains the same as 1t
was before the trial. The other officers
under suspension were given trial yester-
day afternoon.
Notes and Personals.
The committee of Pythians having in
charge the arrangements for the reception
In honor of the Grand Chancellor b. 9.
Jones. which is to be held on Thursday
night May "a, have issued a tasteful in
dividual invitation which they are mall
ing out to those who will be allowed to
be present on that occasion. The recep-
ton will be given at Beavers hall, the
use of which has been kindly granted for
the evening.
Miss Sophie Schwabacher has been
awarded the scholarship medal offered to
a member of the graduating class in the
Bessemer High school on the standard OF
work done. The medal will be awarded
tomorrow Miss Schwabacher Is the
daughter of Jeweler Schwabacher.
The Bessemer Beavers baseball team
went up to Ensley this afternoon to meet
the Ensley Invincibes on their nome dia-
mend at Tuxedo park. The rival team
failed to put in an appearance and the
game was forfeited to Bessemer by the
score of to 0.
The Board of Trade held meeting In
Elks' hall this afternoon. which was Wen
attended by the members of the organiza-
ton. The principal business disposed OF
was the regular routine OF the BODY. one
matter of public interest that was dis
cussed was the question of an open pike
to Parkwood to serve as an inlet Tor the
people of the adjacent territory TO the
markets of Bessemer. The sense OF the
hoard was that such highway would De
a valuable addition to the roads or the
county and a committee was appointed TO
wait upon the Board of Revenue to see
what can be done toward the realization
of the PLAN