Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-11-18
COMMISSIONER REMOVED
That Is, If the Aldermen Approve
Of Mayor Burke's Action.
VI. &. Powers Charged with Doing
Nnriou. Things during Terccntcn-
avy Week Last July-ONicial
Encnpacity Also Alleged.

james T.. Burke and the police commits
rioners still nourishcs even like unit"
the green bay tree The letter given below
was mailed Tuesday to NJ. {. Powers.
chairman of the board of police COM
missoners. by the mayor. The charges,
which are referred to therein, are given
at length. following the letter. The re-
moval from office of Mr.. Powers will
come up before the board of aldermen
within a few days for their approval.
LETTER OF REMOVAL.
Burlington. VT. Nov, &c, 1909.
Mr.. NJ. G. Powers, Chairman Board IF
Police Commissioners.
City.
Dear Sir:
November 18th charges of a serious
nature were preferred by me against YOU.
which charges, II true, make YOU unfit
q further hold the office of police COM
missioner of the city of Burlington. AS
'ou have not seen fit to appear before
re to answer said charges. as requested.
oy the authority vested in me as mayor
Of the city OF Burlinrton, | do hereby
remove YOU from the office of police
commissioner. said removal to be subject
to the approval of the board of alder
meH
r..
THE CHARGES.
City of luling on. Office of the Mayor,
Nov. =. 1900.
My. NJ e. Powers. Police Commissioner,
g Cliff street, city.
Dear Sir:
You are hereby rotifed that against you
accusations Of incapacity. negligence and
,ad conduct while holding the office of
,ulice commissioners and while acting as
such have been made to me and by me
. Investigated ana been found substantated
o such q degree as to make II my duty
- prefcY against YOU definite charges
of official incapac'y. negligence and bad
conduct III that a. You nd during
tercentena. = week or during week nj
the frs: ten days of July. 1909, while
holding the office of police commissioner
and while acting as sucn, rent, occupy
ana operate the building on the south
east corner of Main street and South
Winooski avenue in said Burlington FOR
the sale Of soft drinks without obtainin =
a license for such sale, which Is
contrary to the ordinances ~ this city.
co You did on about July !, 1863. While
holding the office of police COMMISSIONS,
OF this city and while acting as such and
when about TO open a place for the sale
of soft drinks in said city asked Henry
II. Shaw States attorney in and for
Chttenden county, Vermont what his
attitude would be in regard to non
licensed persons selling beer in said Bur-
lin gton contrary to law during tercen-
tenary week. l3) You did during said
tercentenary week while holding the Office
of police commissioner of this city and
while acting as such, urge Mr.. James r.
Wood, Jr,, manager of the Wood Morgan
Detective Agency Of Boston, Mass. and
Mr.. Iiostciu of the Central Detectives
Corporation of Albany y Y, while both
were employed by said States Attorney
Shaw to detect and suppress lawlessness
to allow an illegal gambling game known
as a Sure thing game" to continue It's
operation undsturbed in front of youi
said place for the sale Of soft drinks
and ask them not to interrupt or interfere
with the manager of said game or its
work. 90 You did some time during tho
first week in July. 1909. while holding tho
office Of police commissioner Of this city
AND while acting as such. engaged viii
the manager of said sure thing game
TO furnish to said manager protection
ard immunity that he might run his SAID
Illegal game during said tercentenary
week in front of your place for the eale
of soft drinks.
Between two and three o'clock on the
afternoon Of november Is, 1903. I viii
he at the city clerks office In this city
to receive any proper evidence you may
choose to offer that the above charges
are unfounded In fact. Unless you shall
before the close OF that day offer to me
adequate proof that You are nor guilty
of these charges, shall deem it my duty.
thereupon, to remove You from the off re
OF police commissioner subject to the ap.
prevail Of the board Of aldermen in
accord with section 49, and 80 OF the
city charter.
Respectfully.
JAMES T.. BURKE Mayor