The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-08-14

prised IL he remains a member OF the
Police Board. He should resign. Tue
same applies to MT. Goode. No mat
ter whether he Is asked to resign or liz
lcensured, Mr.. Goode should not re-
main a member Nef the Police Board.
The usefulness of both these men as
Police Gem missioners. IL they ever
we're useful is at an end, and the
way should be cleared for the election
to the board of men WHO will demand
the enforcement OF the law.
Now what are the facts in regard
Ito Goode and the investigation? The
committee found him guilty of grave
lmisfeasance and malfeasance in Of
flee" without changing the verdict,
which Is sufficient ground for demand
ing a resignation, the proposition is
( made TO the Council that the punish
ment for this offense be lightened,
and for what reasone Because the
evidence was not heard before the
Council but before committee which
the Council specifically delegated to
hear the evidence. If the Council
feels that it has no right to accept
evidence which it's committee heard,
but which the whole Council did not
hear. why was the committee ever APP
pointed? Did the members of Coun-
ell expect TO attend all the meetings
and hear the evidence? II so, then
their failure to do that is their own
fault
But it is all specious pleading that
asks for another hearing on this
ground. and we cannot believe that
any member of Council doubts that
the real purpose in asking for a new
hearing before Council is to delay
action. For If the members of Council
did not hear the testimony, they could
have read it In the committees full
report. which report accompanied the
recommendations. and there has been
ample time for every member of Coun-
Gil to read all the testimony, not only
as regards Commissioner Goode, but
as regards the whole investigation.
Why was II not asked that t'ae
testimony in regard TO Mr.. Well be
printed and argued If it was thought
tina; there was not sufficient reason TO
punish a man without hearing the
Testimony? Why vas the motion to
censure the Mayor and the Police De-
partment defeated without reading
and having argued all the testimony?
VIII 1t be demanded that all the testi-
mony in regard to all the reform meas
ures advocated by the committee be
printed. distributed. and argued be-
fore Council?
Whatever delay may be gained will
not change the conviction of the pub
lie. The public knows where guilt
rests. The public will not understand
why tsne Council does not know as
much. or. knowing. as 1T must know,
does not act.
II Mr.. Goode is not guilty why
should his supporters before the Coun-
ell seek to have him reprimanded? II
he is innocent why should they be
willing to compromise on , a repri-
mand? And why were they willing to
have him reprimanded without having
the testimony printed and argued?
The interests of the city of Rich
mond demand that individuals be not
placed above great principles 1t is
not pleasant to censure or remove In
dividuals, but is it the fault of the
city or is it the fault of the individuals
that the latter were found to have ep-
posed and defied the enforcement of
the city's will as represented in oat.ls
OF office and in statutes? Shall the
interests of the whole public be sacri-
feed through a hesitancy in infiicting
punishment for private practices by
public officials which cast discredit on
the name Of the city? The personal
influence in vhe Council of expert Lead
ers cannot be permitted to override
the ends of justice.
LET'S GET THE BOYS