The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1922-07-21
MAYOR ASKS THAT
COUNCIL INVESTIGATE
TWO POLICEMEN
Chief Executive Says Facts He Has
Obtained DO Not Warrant Suspen-
sion But Leaves Council Free "
Act-Garage Permit Granted.


The meeting of City Council held
Thursday evening was very short
one and little business of importance
was transacted,
Several building permits were
granted and again the City Board of
Educators request for q permit to
erect garage in the rear of the teach
erage at the High School building was
presented. This permit was granted
by vote Of IL to /, DR.. ]. A. Dodson
casting the only negative vote after
a speech in which he paid his compli-
ments to the press for their interest
and the publicity given Councils re-
fusal to grant the permit at two pre-
vious meetings.
Mayor ]. II. Samuel then read a
communication to Council on the
much-discussed alleged failure to per-
form duty by Police Sergeant Carey.
This communication, upon which
council failed to take any sort of ac-
ton aside from receiving 1t, is as
follows: Il aEi
Maysville, Kentucky, July 20, 1922.
To the Common Council,
Maysvile, Kentucky.
Gentlemen
On Tuesday night, July 18th, 1922
officer Simpson attempted to arrest
Mr.. Ben Middleman and seemingly
was governed by the idea that he
needed assistance. Street rumors, va
ried in character and type, began to
spread to the effect that Officer Carey
after numerous notifications, failed to
respond and consequently committed
an infraction Of one of his duties as
Night Sergeant. On Friday, July 14th
OF the same week Chairman Brady oi
the Police Committee requested that
HIS committee be called on that night
for the sole purpose of investigating
the various rumors relative to the
case. Officially l had no data upon
which to base any kind or character
OF opinion as to the merits of the case
therefore took this method of obtain.
ing the facts, II any, and accedcd tc
his request Sin or more witnesses
testified. Sergeant Carey gave his
testimony and also what he had be-
lieved to be his duty as Night Ser
geant. Chief Mackey gave detailed
statement of what he, as Chief of Po-
lice, had on previous occasions in
structed the Sergeant to do. After all
this had been gone over the Committee
almost to man, shook hands-upon
their own initiative-with Sergeant
Carey, and the committee stood ad-
journed. After all of the testimony
was received and after these state
ments as to the duties of the night
Sergeant were given by Carey and
Chief Mackey, not a single word OF
oensure was uttered looking to the
suspension of this officer; on the con-
trary, their mental attitude was agree.
ably manifested by their hearty hand
shakes.
Section 1905 OF the Kentucky Stat.
ute, says In part that "The Mayor shall
have the power to suspend any cit!
officer, except Councilmen, for mis-
conduct in Office or neglect Of duty
reporting action, with his reason.
therefor. in writing at the next regu
lar meeting OF the Common Council
by whom final action is taken"
met with the committee at the
time Of the investigation above refer,
red to, and governed by the facts pre-
sented before the entire Committee,
have not felt justified In suspendins
the officer. At no time has It been my
desire or intention to pass the buck
to the Police Committee as such; sure
ly I was fully aware that It was no
the function or duty Of any committet
to suspend any officer. Since the com
mittee adjourned some more stree
rumors have come to mo from +,
source that I look upon with conf.
dence, to the effect that certain mem,
bers Of the Police Committee have
made the impression upon some citi
zens that officer Carey's suspension
was up to me-evidently implying ant
trying to impress their hearers will
the idea that they would approve O
his suspension. This questionable at
titude Of some members of the Polio,
Committee assumed, however, after IT.
adjournment, is my sole reason fol
presenting this communication.
In the event Council regards thi
AFFAIR of sufficient Importance to re
open the case, then, 1t follows that an,
officer connected with II should com,
within the purview of your investiga
tion,-therefore. suggest and reques
that an investigation be made of botl
Carey's and Simpsons conduct on tn,
night OF this trouble. ! make this sug
gestion, in order that Simpson ant
Carey may be treated alike, in cas-
Il