Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-08-10
ALDERMEN CALL ON
G00DE TO RESIGN
Adopt Substitute Resolution Rep
rimanding Cliff We'll for
Indiscreet Conduct.
MODIFY BLANKET INDICTMENT
Alderman Fuller Disclaims Re-
sponsibility for Interview in
Afternoon Newspaper.

Holding that the finding Of the police
investigating committee that Police
Commissioner Clin We'll had been
guilty Of indiscrcet conduct does not
warrant the Council In asking for his
resignation, the Board of Aldermen
last night adopted an amended resolu-
tion ccnsuring and reprima nding him
FOR his indiscreet conduct. The reso-
luton was passed By ii vote of to 4.
companion resolution. reported by
the committee. charged Police Com
missioner r. y. Goode with malfeaa-
ance and misfeasancc in Office and
recommended that tho Council ask for
his resignation This resolution was
approved by n viva voce vote The
call for the nays brought out n single
dissenting voice. whose ownership
could not be determined
SUBSTITUTE REsOIUTION
REPRTsIANDS WE'LL
AS reported by the committee. the
resolution bearing on the case Of Com
missioner Well recommended his resir-
nation. Alderman Workman offered
as substitute resolution which, af-
ter repeating the preamble OF the orig
inal paper. concluded as follows:
Whereas, while the report OF the
said committee shows indiscretlon on
the part OF Police Commissioner Cliff
we'll IL fails TO charge any rnalfcas-
ance or misfeasancc in Office on his
part.
Now. therefore, be il resolved by the
Council of the city OF Richmond the
Common Council concurring-
That the Council of the city OF
Richmond deems the action of Police
Com mi C1iN
prcJudicial TO the best interest Of the
Police Department. but does no, con-
slider IL sufficient cause 10 call for his
resignation
BE 1t resolved further, That the said
Police Commissioner C!in We'll be- and
he hereby is, censured and rcprimanded
for such indiscrcct conduct"
GRUNDY INDoRSEs
WORKMAN RESOLUTION
Mr.. Workman. in Offering the sub
stitute expressed the belief that the
investigating committee had made a
grave mistake in failing 10 mitigate
the punishment in tho case of Mr. We'll
After consulting the City Attorney
about the possible cNec; of the adop-
tion OF the original resolution, nc said
he was convinced that the Council
would commit blundcr IT, in the alb
msfeasance. ii called for Mr. Wells
resignation
Chairman Barton II, Grundy, OF the
police Investigating committee. gave
his hearty indorsencn; to the amended
resolution offered by Alderman Work
man. He was entirely in sympathy he
said with letting Commissioner We'll
off with a reprimand.
Alderman Melton opposed the amend
cd resolution, and declared his intcn-
tton of standing by the committees
recommendation. Mr. Melton was. like
Nh. Grundy. member OF the commit
tee. Alderman Mitchell made a heated
speech against the adoption of the
Workman amendment. To do so, he
said. would be 10 nullifS the work Of
the committee which reviewed evil
dence at first hand and spent long
evenings in weighing the testimony
He urged the body TO stand by the
committee report and vote down anv
amendment.
FERGUSON VOTED
UNDER MISREPRESENTATION
Alderman Fuller produced letter
from Councilman Ferguson, member
of the committee who signed the re-
port, stating that he voted to ask for
Mr.. Wells resignation under n mis-
apprehension, and that he was con-
rinced the punishment recommended
for Commissioner We'll was TOO severe
Alderman Workman and Councilman
English, both members OF the commit
tee had refused TO sign the report
Chairman Grundy had signed the re-
port, but had voted against the We'll
resolution. II was clear. Alderman
Puller pointed out, that four of the
,h.rc -,
majority. were opposed to calling for
Mr.. Wells resignation-a circumstance
which should be considered by the
Board.
Alderman Christian smoke hrieav in
favor OF adopting the committee recon
mendation 1t was strange, he thought.
that the discovery that the We'll reso
luton did not represent the will of :,
majority of the committee should y.
discovered at the eleventh hour aftor
contrary report had been renorted
which bore the signature Of five MON
bers OF the committee.
VOTE ON RESOLUTION
CENSURING WE'LL
The amended resolution was placed
on its passage, and was carried bv z,
vote Of to 4. The members voted as
follows:
Ayes = Aldermen Gilman Grundv
Gunst. Nielsen. Powers. Fuller, Hork
man and Adams-S.
Noes-Aldermen Christian, Melton.
1. Mitchell and Paul..
The committees recommendation that
the Council ask for the resignation (, {
Commissioner Goode was read and
adopted without debate. No recor.le,,
vote was taken.
The Board referred to the Roard of
Police Commissioners the recommonda-
lions of the committee that the force
be increased in number to make possi-
BILE the introduction OF the three
platoon system; that the Police Board
promulgate rulo providing for the
dismissal OF onicers convicted the