The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1907-09-19

Chief Chellette was called to the bar
Of the Council to answer to several
charges, embracing incompetency.
Chief Chellette had for counsel Hon
M. c. Elstner and Hon. John r. Land
The city was represented by Hon. w.
H. Jack.
This trial had elected more than Or
dlnary interest, and there was attempted
by the partisans Of Chellette an inter
lection of maudlin sentiment which had
little effect on the representatives of the
people sworn to do their duty impartial
ly and fearleSSly.
The defendants counsel appealed i'll
vain to their legal ingenuity. When
Hon. John r. Land appeared he had
with him wheelbarrow full of legal
authorities. At the sight of 50 many
books the ordinary man would have been
appalled,. The defendants counsel occu
pied two or more hours in defamation.
In substance their plea was more on
the order of an appeal to the spectators
than an argument on facts.
The city's representative, Hon. G.. w.
Jack. presented every feature of the case
intelligently in about thirty minutes,
during which he scored the spectators
who had evinced unnecessary applause
whenever the defendants attorneys had
scored points in favor of their client and
rejecting on George Gerald, who was
not an issue III this contention In words
direct and forceful, Mr. Jack, referring
to these noisy spectators said: Look at
them. Those men do not represent the
backbone of Shreveport. Why do the
violators Of the law come here tonight
and cheer SO loudly at each point gained
or sought to be gained by the defense?
They do not represent the best business
men of Shreveport, but the backbone OF
Shreveport, gentlemen. is watching your
actions tonight.
Having reviewed the evidence sub
mitted and presented clearly the weak
ness of Chelette's administration, Mr..
Jack was followed by Mayor Bernstein,
who delivered a charge to the Council
as Judge would to a Jury.
This proceeding was unusual and un
precedented, but it afforded the mayor
an opportunity of voicing his views in a
case involving facts and in which he ex-
hibited the strictest of impartality. He
closed his charge in these words: Il
have instructed the chief time and again
about the drinking of men Oh duty. 1t
is disgrace to the department and the
officer whenever he does it. The police
man has no right to receive or demand
tribute from the saloon men, and we will
not have it. | have spoken many times
to the chief about such affairs.
Nov the question is for you to de
eide. You are acting in the same func-
ton as the directors Of a corporation.
He has made good patrolman, a good
sergeant and you must decide the case
as to whether he has made good
chief
In their order the charges were sus-
tanned
1ncompetency.
Neglect of duty in not enforcing the
automobile ordinance.
Not enforcing the street and sidewalk
blocking ordinance.
Failure to enforce the hack ordinance,
Failure to enforce the Sunday law.
To sustain the charges named Coun-
cilmen Allen, Conger, Campbell, Emery,
Friend, Foster, Jordan and Tusten voted
yes. Opposed: Councilmen Florsheim,
Ingersoll, Thoman and White.
Not voting: Currie, Dambly and Rel
sor
For ousting Chellette 8 to 4.
There was no evidence to uphold the
alleged failure to enforce the midnight
closing ordinance.
Mayor Bernstein then announce the
result and declared the Office Of the chlei
of police vacant Thereupon a motor
TO elect a chief Of police to fill the va
cancy prevailed, and f. O.. Allen was
elected and named as the successor OF
Chellette. Mr.. Allen was sworn in by
/ the mayor and he assumed at once the
duties and responsibilities of the Office
The Council having adjourned. Mayor
Bernstein and Councilman Allen es
lcorted Chief Allen to the police station
which was in charge of Lieutenant Pet
erson and Sergeant Grant. The new
chief was introduced formally and of
l6cially. Before taking his leave Mayo
Bernstein in alluding to Chief Chellett
said:
ga ,,.a,, has heen MT ont of office To