Norwich bulletin., 1916-01-11

two drinks or Wht6key about o'clock in the afternoon but had drunk noth- ing more later in the day or night During the time that Sergeant Kane was looking for him. he said he was around on his beat. and he described the route he had travelled. On High street, he said, he found the Blumen- thai store door open and stopped and talked with him for while. He also went up on Mt Pleasant street.
 He was asked if he hadn't gone to Waterbury at one time and he said he had on the advice of the chairman of the police commissioners. He came back because he got a letter that said he was either to report for duty or his resignation would be ex- pected. He went to work on the Norwich force again after coming back.
 He was asked about any other times that he had been summoned for breaches of discipline and he answer ed that he had never been up before the common council before but that lice commissioners because he had given some talk to Sergeant Mat thews.
 If the common council decides to give you a chance now. can you and will you stop drfnking?" Judge Barnes asked him. T can and will, !" was the answer.
 You're the man that went into the old Portuguese hotel and yanked out your man alone" questioned Judge Barnes.
 "I am"
 On Cross Examination.
 On cross exanpnation by Prosecut- ing Attorney Tanning. Policeman Eb- berts said that two drinks that he had had about week before December 2a | hadn't affected him and he thought his stomach was probably not in as 1 good shape on December 22nd. He | declared that he could stop drinking any time he wanted to and he would whatever the outcome of this hear l ing He said it took him three | quarters of an hour to go over his 1 beat and he went over it that night but didn't hear Sergeant Kane whistle.
 He denied that he had said to Ser geant Kane what the sergeant had | testified to or that he had told him after he came out of his home that he was going to get good and drunk He said the sergeant had made mis- | statements, many of them. He denied also that he was under the influence | of loquor when the sergeant saw him on Thames square.
 Judge Barnes Speaks. the accused officer. Judge Barnes said he appeared only as his friend and not as paid attorney as the officer had seen him day or two ago and asked him to come to the council | meeting.
 T don't know that there was ever a more fearless officer that ever wore the blue than Charles s. Ebberts,' ? continued Judge Barnes. It seemed to him. he said, and he had seen the same thing manifested. with men who appeared in the court downstairs, that the officer had reached time in life when a drink or two of whiskey af- fected him more than he had any idea Now he has promised to cut out the liquor if you give him a show He has passed most of his life in your service and has given mighty good service, so that it seems the more pathetic to see him at this stage ot life dismissed entirely from the ser vice. If you can conscientiously as citizens continue the suspension as long as you may see fit, give him ons more show, considering his age and the service he has given to the city concluded Judge Barnes.
 Prosecuting Attorney Tanning. Il Tn opening his speech before the council, Prosecuting Attorney Fan ming said that Policeman Ebberts had admitted that he had broken the rules of the department for be was subject l to call for duty at all times and ht
 
 times, which is bad for him at hi. time of life. He spoke of the fife jot during good behavior that was as. sured a policeman through a statute that had been passed at the solicita. tton of the city of Norwich, taking tho police force out of politics. There Is also a provision for retirement on the reserve force.
 ii But. he said, this council out of re- spect to itself and the public must ! take da0fdad notice of hof hoT happened in this case. Policeman ED. berts had been a brave officer, but ht knew the rules of the department and he had broken them. Nobody could doubt that he wasn't on his beat that night for service when Sergeant Kane was looking for him for three hours but couldn't find him. We can't be- lieve that the other officers had mis- resented their brother officer. It might have been better if he had told the whole truth.
 The regulations provide that thil council has full jurisdiction. The of. ficer has been guilty of intoxicatior and wilful disobedience of orders, anl for either could be removed from tho service. This council has full jurisdic. tion, but if it wishes to temper justic. with mercy, I think no one will b. greatly displeased with 1t, concluded MT. Tanning. But it has to give thi. | matter some strict attention
 
 10-minute recess was voted for, bu 1t was over 50 minutes before tn, | council members returned from tn, mayors room with their decision. | Councilman Telley B. Babcock pre-. sented it, finding the officer guilty al charged and suspending him from Jan 10 to June 22, 1916. It was passed b1 unanimous vote.
 Other Business.
 Several other business matters wer, disposed of before the council ad journed at 1910.
 Notice was given by Sadie Lacy through Brown G Perkins, attorneys of a claim because of a fall she had ol the slippery crosswalk from the Bree, hall corner to West Main street on tht evening of Jan. 8. Her ankle was dis located and she was bruised am strained. 1t was referred to tn finance committee.
 M. B. Ring presented a communica ton stating that. desiring to erect new building on his unimproved prop erty on the easterly side of Chestnu street, over which the public works de partment of the city of Norwich has right of way over e portion, he aske |, | to have a committee confer with hin and establish the northeriy side of tn } right of way or consider any other wa that can be established and provided