Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-01-06
COUNCIL VOTES To
DROP TWO OFFICERS
tCOntinued From First Pape1

are former Patrolmen Ed. Murphy and
Lenas Cope
commissioner Lynch, in defending
ms resolution, had the clerk read Sec
uon OF Article Z of the Clark act.
This authorizes Council to fix the rank
and compensation of policemen and
prescribe the duties and regulations,
and provides further, that it shall be
misdemeanor in office for any po-
llceman to ask. demand. or receive
any other compensation or reward
whatsoever for his official services to
be followed by dismissal from office,
etc.
Mayor Royal pronounced the act of
Mr.. Lynch unfair" in that he. as a
member of Council, had taken a step
for the removal from office OF en-
ployes of another department without
consulting the head of that depart
ment. He characterized the motive
behind the act as political"
Charges, if there were any, the
Mayor contended, should have been
submitted to the Mayor, so that he,
as head of the police department
could hear and determine them and
place the findings before Council for
its action.
Not only were both the deposed po-
ltcemen on hand with the hope OF get
letter from Mitchell and a petition
with some eighty signers asking Coun-
Gil not to dismiss him, were submit
ted by Mitchell.
Letter and Petition
The letter and petition pointed out
that Mitchell had always tried to do
his duty; that most of his salary had
to go for medical care and attendance
for his wife who was very i'll; that he
in1
the man who succeeded him, now
holds a position with the Harrisburg
Republican Club.
Letter and Petition
The letter and petition were re-
sponslble for an attempt on the part
of the Republican members, led by
Mr.. Bowman, to have the names in
the resolution voted upon singly
Mayor Royal decided, however, that
the vote should be taken on the meas
ure as a whole.
In view of the statements in these
communications" said Commissioned
Bowman after the session, T hoped
that the names could have been voted
upon singly in order that we could
look moro carefully into the state
ments."
Commissioner Lynch insisted that
he preferred no charges although he
did not admit that there were none
The row had been expected ever
since Mr.. Lynch offered the resolu-
ton week ago, and when the meas
ure was read for final action, Mr.
Lynch asked that in defense of his
position the city clerk read sections
of article seven and portion OF
section which provides that "Coun-
ell shall have power to remove from
Office all employees and subordinate
officers, except as otherwise provided
for"
Mayor Royal quoted from section
8 to the effect that policemen shall
obey the orders of the Mayor and
make report to him which report
shall be laid by him before Council
whenever required. The Mayor shall
exercise a constant supervision and
control over their conduct and hear
and determine all complaints against
them in the discharge of their duties
and no shall be required to remove
from office any member or officer
upon a resolution to that effect passed
by Council"
Lynch and Mayor Speak
Now" said Commissioner Lynch,
II prefer no charges. but l reserve
the right as member of this body
to vote on this or any other resolution
providing for dsmissals under the
section that l have just had quoted" ;"
Then Mr.. Lynch let the Mayor
make his speech.
The Mayor promptly declared that
he considered the act discourteous
and that he should have been given
"a chance to hear and determine
whether there were substantial
charges against the men in question.
He spoke of the excellence of the
service of the men and he ended with
a humanitarian appeal for Mitchell.
"And I am led to believe" said he
that political reasons were back of