Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-09-28
Lower Branch, by g to 7 Vote,
Concurs in Resolu-
ton.
BODY ACTS WITHOUT DEBATE
Accused Commissioner Declines
to Comment, but Friends Say
He Will Not Retire.

tcasancc In Office and calling for his
designation from the Police Board.
The members voted as follows:
Ayes-Councilmen Ferguson. Fuller.
Haddon. Jones. Pitcher. Powell, Rat
cliNe. Seaton and Peters-9.
Nocs-Councilmen Atkinson, Cheat
wood. English. Pollock, Powers, Sui
!iran and Welsh-7.
The vote on the resolution was taken
within fifteen minutes after the body
was called to order. after il had
adopted. BY vote or Is to /. a motion
ny Councilman Ratciinc waving .he
examination and hearing called for by
the resolution under which the body
met The opposing vote was cast by
Councilman Seaton
G0oDE AND Ills ATTORNEY
WITNESS PROCEEDINGS
Commissioner Goode and his attor-
ney, Hiram ~. Smith, witnessed the
proceeding. TIL" motion under wh,ch
the Council considered the Goodc rcso-
luton directed that the body sit as a
committee OF the whole 10 hear from
Mr.. Goodies counsel and the City Attor-
neT who acted as the police Investigate
!rG committees adviser The same
resolution provided for the assembling
"t all the evidence introduced during
the investigation relating TO MIR. Coode
booklets containing reprints of the cvi-
dencc were supplied 10 the Councilmcn
ny CITY Clerk August last week
When The body was called TO order
1t $50 o'clock councilman Ratcline
iooit the floor with "A brief speech. II
WAS his belief, he said. that every mem
bcr present knew now how ne was
going TO vote. and that nothing would
be gained by going into the cXamina-
ton and hearing contemplate by the
resolution under which the body was
acting. lie moved, therefore. that the
body waive q further hearing Of the
matter and proceed without debate to
vote on the pending resolution
sEATON READY
TO VOTE AT ONCE
councilman Seaton. who at the last
meeting OF the Council introduced a
resolution directing the president OF
the body TO call special meeting
Within Ave days after the printed book
lets containing the Goode evidence
we're distributed. told the members
that ii vas for them to decide whether
or not they wanted n further hearing
This proceeding was not OF my In
stigation,'' said Mr. Seaton. II was
ready al the first meeting Of the Com
n.
AS member OF the investigating COM
mittee. signed the paper and il had
70 do IL over I would do so again. II
the Council does not desire TO examine
INTO this matter further. 7 am ready TO
vote"
Evidently the Councilmen wanted no
further inquiry. From several parts Of
the chamber there arose calls for the
question. and President Peters put Mr.
Ratclife's motion before the house It|
received fifteen Affirmative votes. Mr.
Seaton alone voting against IL, Five
minutes later the body concurred in
tho passage OF the resolution calling
sor Mr.. Goodies resignation
GOODE DECLINES To
COMMENT ON ACTION
Commissioner Goode. asked after ad
journment for statement, said that
he had nothing TO say
VIII you comply with the resolu-
zion and send in your resignation" he
was asked
Il would prefer TO consult my LAWYER
before answering that question:" he re-
piled.
1T is reported that YOU have ex-
pressed to some Of your friends your
intention OF declining to resign. Is
II have made no such expression"
replied Mr. Goode
In official circles the gossip was cur
rent last night that Mr.. Goode would
refuse 10 comply with the resolution's
request that he resign. It was pointed
out as supporting this rumor that the
accused police commissioner had every
thing TO gain and nothing to lose by
such a course. In adopting the inves-
tigating committees resolution .he
Council virtually found him guilty OIL
the charges of misfeasance preferred
against him. formal trial under i'm
parchment proceedings. it was pointed
out. could result In no stronger verdict.
and might terminate in n finding less
drastic.
RESOLUTION WILL GO
TO MAYOR TODAY
The resolution will go to-day to the
Mayor for his signature When the
signed paper is returned to CITY Clerk
August he will mail copy OF the reso
luton to Police Commissioner Goode.
The act Will represent the Councils
official request that he resign from tbe
Police Board.
In the event that Mr.. Goode refuses
10 comply with the Councils resolution
ana that Dody desires to press home it's
judgment. 1t will be forced to Imneacb
him. Under this rare proceeding. tho
Council will formally prefer charges
against the accused commissioner and
summon him to appear before It for
trial The Council will then sit vir-
tually as court of law, hearing evil
dence for and against the accused and
the argument of counsel. IT. after
hearing the evidence. it shall still be
convinced Of the accuscd's guilt, 1T will
enter an order declaring his position