The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-08-01
POLICE COWARD DISMISSED
u tLSH. STRIPPED or SHIELD,
BOOTED OFT or HEADQUARTERS.
zen. Bingham Cries as He Tells Assembled
COPS Of the Disgrace Brought On the
Force-It Mustn't Happen Again. RE
sa,s--Couldn't Tear on Brass BUTTONS.

stamped a coward by Gen. Bingham,
who had dismissed him from tho force.
Policeman Stephen s.. Walsh Of the East
Fifty-hrst street station yesterday was
stripped Of his shield. escorted out of Police
Headquarters by an inspector and booted
into Mulberry street, while policemen and
others jeered and hooted. Never before
had the department witnessed such a
spectacle. Back in 1875. thirty-one years
ago. Roundsman Thomas Burns and Patrol
man White of the old Mulberry street sta
ton were dismissed for cowardioe. but
there was no such scene a. that enacted
in the trial room yesterday. But Gen.
Bingham, a soldier. had his own idea as
to the proper punishment for a coward.
As soon as the Commissions announced
his decision he ordered Inspector Richard
Walsh to tear Walsh's shield from his coat.
When that had been lone the Commissioner
called for the removal OF Walsh's brass
buttons. but they were fastened to the
blouse with wire and could not be ripped of.
Cut them on" reared the Commissi oner.
"and strip him OF everything that he has
disgrsced."
Knives were brought forth. and although
Inspector Walsh. Capt. Lantry and several
policemen tried to sever the wire that
held he buttons to the coat they were
unsuccessful. Gen. Bingham became i'm
patient.
Take him out Of the building. inspec-
tor" he said. Tell him he is dismissed
from the department and to never enter
this building. Take him away! Get him
ont " my sight"
The only person in the trial room who
was not moved was the disgraced COP
Throughout the proceedings he appeared
calm and unconcerned. Once he srailed
AT Inspector Walsh. who was trying hard
TO tear the buttons from the blouse. and
he seemed pleased at the discontinue
Of the inspector.
His revolver. shield. police manual and
ratrol and firebox keys taken from him,
Walsh stood erect for a moment and glared
at Commissioner Bingham. Then Inspec-
tor Walsh dragged him from the room.
Several policemen made a move to follow.
hut Gen. Bingham stopped them. There
were tears in the commissioners eyes
when he summoned all the policemen in
the room to come up close 20 the bench and
listen to what he had TO say.
Il can't talk TO you he said. his voice
shaking. Il have not been so affected by
anything in years. I feel ashamed-as
much as any Of you men can be-that there
should have been a man on this force who
was not a brave man. II has been our
pride to say that, whatever faults there
we're. there we're no towards on this force.
Il have carefully considered the evidence
IN this case; I have given the accused every
chance to defend himself. l am perfectly
clear that the man failed Just at the moment
that he should not have failed. My God,
men! do not ever let this thing occur again
while you and I are together. A man is
not a man who 10 not physically brave.
That poor devil In not a man; he 10 a poor
weak thing. However, remember that we
can take this comfort-it II thirty years.
they tell mo, since there has been such a
charge, and in thirty years only n man.
out Of about eight or MIN thousand. 10 .
mighty small percentage.
$50 then let us forget this. 90 on as
YOU always have done. every one OF you.
Do our duty every time, no matter what
comes. The minute there Is danger that
is the time for you men TO show what stuff
YOu udNOi III yOusd anu u u6VV " NuO lkIlOC
doubt you will show il. Forget this. then.
and IL you ever think Of 70 Just make up
your minds that there win nevcr be another
such spot as long as you are on the police
forca That il all. men,
walsh's trial was begun Monday AFTER
noon. and on the contention OF counsel
that there were three coal wagon drivers
who had seen Walsh chasing Warner in
the Spalding Building Commissions Bing-
ham granted an adjournment until yester-
day 90 these witnesses could be summoned.
When Commissioner Bingham entered the
trial room at $50 o'clock Walsh was not
present. Some thought he had skipped,
but he was found In a nearby lunchroom
Eating pie and drinking milk. He was in
uniform. although under suspension. but
II turned out that Cen. Bingham had or
iered him 20 appear In uniform so that
IN the event Of his conviction he would
degrade him, as the General felt IL should
he lone.
After Aaron Levy. who defended Walsh,
mad summed up e Bingham glared at
Walsh and said:
My cheeks have burned with shame &C
even the charge of lack OF physical courage
against ono OF my men. and for the last
three days I have been through the most
distressing case 1 nave mao 10 10 WIZ IN
wears. 10 lie not necessary to ask me TO give
a man svery chance to prove himself inno-
cent Of such a grave charge as this. For
Years ] have been in command OF men. and
my experience and my conscience compel
me 10 give a man the fullest opportunity
70 clear himself. I rank myself with my
men. and to think that one Of them should
even be accused, Oils me with shame and
sorrow.
] have gwen the defence every chance
N The world to prove this man innocent.
II has clearly established that this accused
'afted In 10 do his duty and that he wiltersd
when he got a close shot. 1t is no time for
apollceman TO stagger when he finds himselfin
danger unless he il unconscious. He should
have had his gun IN his hand and be out after
me murderer, ] sustain the charges and
ind Walsh guilty Of cowardice and sentence
him to be dismissed from the force imme-
dls'eIy And God knows I'm sorry for the
man
Walsh has been unpopular. IL is nos