Omaha daily bee., 1910-03-11
Council Bluffs
WORK TO lMPEACH CHIEF
Effort Being Made to Put Major
Richmond on Rack.
UP TO ATTORNEY GENERAL TODAY
Petitions I'm Circulation Calling for
Formal Charges Against Police
Head for Alleged
Acts.

For several days there have been rumors
that on the eve OF the city election o. ].
McManus, former county superintendent
Of schools, Robert b. Wallace, former
member Of the city council who was de-
feated for the office Of mayor two years
ago by Thomas Maloney. F. c. Lougee, a
real estate dealer. f. J. Day, Of the firm
OF Day & Hess, and a few others had been
circulating petitions with a view to having
Attorney General Byers institute impeach-
ment proceedings against Major George II,
Richmond, chief OF police.
The matter was discussed with Mr..
Byers at the time he was here last week
but nothing definit was arrived at. Mr.
Byers is to be in Council Bluffs today
when, it was said yesterday afternoon, he
will be urged to file the necessary i'm
parchment papers.
Friends Of Major Richmond are natu-
rally highly indignant over the suggested
impeachment proceedings and regard II
merely as a political move on the part OF
the supporters Of Councilman Olson.
II is a we'll known fact that never in the
history of Council Bluffs has the city been
lfreer from crime or from the vicious ele-
ment. Members of both political parties
admit this but for come reason or other,
best known to themselves, certain per
sons with the evident intention of attack
ing Mayor Maloney have decided to direct
heir efforts against the chief OF police.
Chief on Firing Line.
Major Richmond in discussing the report
hat certain persons were endeavoring to
have impeachment proceedings instituted
against him said yesterday:
The chief of police is not in politics.
However, I was on the firing line at the
age of twenty years, Twelve of the best
years Of my life were spent on the firing
line and when anything is started you
will find me there again. 1 stand ready
to defend every act Of my official life,
but 1 insist that when such an investiga-
ton is made the public shall be fully in
formed OF every detail.
Il court an investigation Of my acts as
chief OF police Of Council Bluffs. 1 am
tired OF being the subject of whispered
|inuendos. II those who are against me
have anything to say let them come out
in public and say openly hat they have
to say or else let them forever hold
their peace. What 1 have to say I will
SAY openly and so everybody can hear.
This talk CT impeachment Is a political
move, the object Of which is to cast dis
credit and disrepute on the present admin
lstration. The chief Of police is not in
lBOAAAlNos GNDA Va III ~ NASNe ANA AS
country In the past and because OF the
record of these services 1 cannot be re
moved from office unless 1 am found
{ . ty of committing high crimes or dis
id~--Ieanors. The law under which 1 hold
office makes me chief Of police regardless
of who is mayor. I do not believe an i'm
parchment will be instituted but II 1t is l
am ready for trial. l have known for
everal days that petitions were being cir
culated by certain desperate politicians In
the city in an effort to have me removed
so that some reflection might be cast on
the administration of Mayor Maloney. If
trial results the statements 1 shall make
will be open and plain and easily under
stood. It will result In the public learning
all the facts and 1 court an investigation
OF such a character"
Law Referred To.
The law referred to by Major Richmond
Is as follows;
No person holding a position by appoint
ment or employment In the state of Iowa,
or in the several counties cities or towns
thereof, who is an honorably discharged
soldier, sailor or marine having served az
such in the union army or navy during the
late civil war shall be removed from suct
position or employment except for incom'
ing, upon due notice, upon SEATED charges
and with the right OF such employe o.
lappointee to a review by a writ OF cert'
rari. The burden OF proving Incompetence
or misconduct shall rest on the party
alleging the same.