Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-11-25
MAYOR And Commissioner
Aldermen Postpone Action on
Charges against M. 9. Powers.
Proposed Appropriation OF $50 for t'x-
pcu.cs OF witnesses from HoSton
Failed Of Passage by a Tic
Vote.

a special meeting Of the board OF alder
mon was held Thursday for the purpose
of setting q date for the hearing OF
Police Commissioner NJ. &. Powers, who
Is charged by Mayor Burke with having
committed at least two offenses. The
charges appeared in last weeks Issue
of the Free Press.
The usual wrangla and tangle was
evidenced early In the meeting. II was
stated by Mayor Burke that date for
the hearing should be made so that Mr..
Powers might prepare himself and
procure any evidence he might have to
rcfnte the charges. K. f.. Brown, who
represented Mr.. Powers, stated that
county court work would keep him busy
until the hrst OF December and that he
would not be able TO take up the matter
until then. It was then voted to set a
date Tor the hearing at the next regular
meeting Of the board.
Mayor Burke then explain ed that It
would he necessary to bring two wit
ncsses from Boston and Alderman Cowlcs
made motion that the mayor he
authorized TO spend sum not to exceed
so to pay the expenses of the witnesses.
Alderman Cuffcy objected 10 this. ray
ing that he did not believe IN spending
the citys money In that way. I. re-
minded him of chasing a fox Into 4
hole
Alderman Cowles thought II was not
improper and Alderman Drew thought
that. as the mayor had made charges.
which tho city charter entitled him to
do. he should he sustained.
on an aye and nay vote the motion
WIS lost. the vote being to 8. Aldermen
Cowles. Pine Drew. Clarke and Nc
Caffrey voted in favor OF the motion and
Aldermen Dion, sullivan. Corey, O'Nel
and Gosselin voted nay. Aldermen
Barnes and Edwards were not present.
Mayor Eurke asked that some one OF
the persons voting nay reconsider the
question. a. it was an important one.
Alderman Clarke said: at seems to
me small business for the board not
to uphold the mayor. 1t should have no
personal feeling in the question" He
thought that the frlend,; OF Mr.. Powers
should be as anxious rs any one for a
proper hearing that he might prove
himself not guilty. He had no personal
feeling one way OF the other. but merely
wished to see justice done,
Alderman Cowles thought ii absolutely
unfair not to uphold the mayor.
ON a motion made to adjourn there
seemed to he much con fusion and the
chair ordered rising vote. The vote
again stood FIVE to five and the board
was held In the air. as II were. Alderman
Cowles then bestrred himself and tele-
phoned TO Aldermen Barnes and Edwards
80 help out things. II seemed that both
these aldermen were unable to attend and
after short wait Alderman Clarke. upon
suggestion of hartman Dion. made a
motion that the board defer the matter
until the next regular meeting of the
board This suited the mayor and the
motion was made. The board then
unanimously voted to adjourn.
out of session there were several
disputes among tho aldermen as TO the
situation. Some limited that the charges
were brought ny the mayor because OF
spite. Therefore they were not going ia
/ uphold him. Others argued that charges
had been brought and that there should
he proper hearing. They should con-
slider the case as Jury, with no personal
feelings whatever.