Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-11-25
WE'LL TO RESIGN
BEFORE JANUARY |.
Compromise Is Effected Satisfac-
tory to All Parties in
Controversy.
CANNON STATES WELLS CASE
Murray M. Mcclure Says Re-
tirement From Police Board
Meets All Requirements.
CANNON STATES WELLS CASE

On the Understanding brought about
by the intervention Of mutual friends
that Clin We'll would resign from tho
Board of Police Commissioners by Jan
uary !. the Council Ordinance Commit
tee last night tabled the Pitcher rcsu-
luton calling for Mr.. Wells rcsigna-
ton. aud the long, sometimes acrimoni-
Gus. fight to have the commissioner
oustcd was brought TO an end satisfac-
tory 10 both sides.
This action Of the committee was
generally regarded as Il happy COM
promise Mr.. We'll had evidenced his
determination not 20 be forced 10 re-
sign ana the Vice Commission and a
committee Of citizens were equally de-
tcrmincd that he should sever his Of
fetal connection with the city. There
was question as to the legality Of fur
thcr procedure against him. and mu-
tual friends. realizing that the Council
was desirous of having the matter
definitely closed. and that Mr.. We'll was
as anxious to quit his position on the
Police Board. interviewed to bring about
the compromise.
Murray NJ. Mcclure. who appeared as
counsel for the citizens committee.
stated that Il conference had been held
between himself aud James l.. Cannon
attorney for Mr.. We'll. and that they
had agreed upon the course suggested
for the Ordinance Committees action.
He said that he had received assur-
ances from Mr.. Cannon that the com
missioner would resign, and the latter
repeated the assurance.
CANNOT BE TRIED TWICE
FOR SAME OFFENSE
Mr. Cannon. in "a brief review of the
investigation OF the Police Department
which had brought about :. reprimand
hy the City Council of Mr We'll ana
later a request that he resign. quoted
judicial opinions to show that AN ac-
cuscd could not twice he punished for
the same offcUse. and he questioned the
right of AN inquisitorial body 10 de-
mand of Mr.. We'll his motives for
voting TO retire Detective Sergeant
krengcl and TO reduce in rank Ser
Sehn' Shonalicr, or TO put those mo-
tircs in question, since Krengcl had sub
SaHucntly been convicted, reprilnauded
and fined by II board meeting in which
Mr. We'll took no part. Mr. Cannon
also brought to the attention of the
committee that at the time he voted
against Sergeant Shoemaker, who had
testified in ErcnEcls favor before the
investigating commission. We'll had
voted 10 re-.lcct Policeman Green,
whose testimony in behalf of krcngcl
had been stronger than that of the
sergeant
Councilman FERGUSON moved that
the 'l!cher resolution be tabled. and
II was passed without debate l.. T.
Christian WAS the only member of the
committee absent. Only a few pcopl,.
were present AT the meeting Clim
We'll appeared for a few minutes after
adjournment. lie expressed himself as
being glad that the matter was ut an
end, and said that he had no desire to
continue as member of the Police
Board. Satisfaction WAS evident among
all I'll" members Of the committee and
the lawyers.
J.. l.. Pitcher. patron of the rcsolu-
tion calling for Mr.. Wells resignation.
merely introduced Mr.. Mcclure.
WELL WILL. RESIGN
BEFORE JANUARY I
II have had a conference, brough,
about by mutual friends. with Mr.
Cannon. who represents Mr. We'll in
this matter" he said, and Mr. Cannon
the committee that Mr.. Well has long
desired to resign from the Board of
Police Commissioners. and fully in
tended 10 do so before the end Of the
year. This being the case although
We feel that Mr.. Wells whole record is
open for consideration. nevertheless
recognizing that there is "A difference
OF opinion in regard to the legality OF
going into the evidence that has al
ready been acted upon and is now i'm
the possession of the Council my com
mittec viii tie entirely satisfied with
the tabling of the resolution now he
fore Your committee, without going
into the evidence.
Il am assured by Mr. Cannon that if
the committee will follow this plan.
Mr.. We'll Will resign before January
/; and we are. therefore willing for
the matter to take this course
'lt had not been my intention." said
Mr.. Cannon. TO add to what MIR. Nc
Guirc has stated. and would not have
said anything but for the fact that
III an afternoon paper of to-day n
cruel and uncallcd- for editorial m
peared.
Il feel. therefore. that il is but right
fair. proper and just that Mr. Wcirs
position III thlS matter Dc clearly set
forth. Mr.. We'll has been anxious To
resign, and he has felt all along that
as the Council saw fit TO reprimand him.
rather than To demand his resignation.
he has been already punished"
CtNNoN DEFENDS WELLS
COURSE on POLICE BOARD
lie quoted decisions from the Su-
prcmc Court TO show that no man NAV
be punished twice for the same offcnse
He recited the story of man who
stole mail bag. was convicted and
was fined in penalty. Effort was made
to reopen the case and to innict upon
the accused prison sentence When
the case came up before the Supreme
Court that tribunal i'm its opinion said:
"lf anything is settled in the %iuris-
prudence OF England and America. 1t
is that no man could be punished twice
for tho same offcnse."
"Now." said Mr.. Cannon. "Mr. We'll
felt that this rule was applicable in
his case, and lie did not think that you