San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-03-30
CHARGES Of
MISCONDUCT
ARE QUASHED
D. D. Harrigan Cleared by
Unanimous Vote Of
Council.
MALICE BEHIND CHARGE
City Engineer Says Letters
Not Signed by Him
Personally.
MALICE BEHIND CHARGE

The city commission, by unanimous
yotet of three members present Friday
morning, dismissed charges of mis-
conduct against City Engineer d. d.
Harrigan. The charges, which were
based on the allegation that the city
engineer had illegally influenced city
employees in voting at three elections
were filed by Frank Young. Joe Beck
w. c. Lott and Ward Malone. The
basis for dismissal. which was sup.
ported by Assistant City Attorney Ray
Marshall, was lack Of prosecution and
lack of jurisdiction on the part of the
council.
Although the trial had been set fol
10 o'clock, following its postponement
from last Wednesday, a quorum was
not secured until nearly IL o'clock
Mayor Black having b IN reported il
by the city clerk and Commissioner
Rieden absent. The street commits
sioner was finally corralled, however
and the trial called.
Proponents Not There.
Commissioner John L. pfeiffer, ma
yor pro tenn, asked il the complaining
witnesses or their attorneys were pres
ent. Getting no reply from the flool
or audience, he stated that motion {,
dismiss the charges would be consid
cred. Commissioner Wright then asked
for an opinion from the city attorney
Mr.. Marshall stating that it seemed t.
be matter of discretion for the com
| mission, and that the council could dis
miss the charges for lack Of prosecu
~ ba trta
People charged with an Offense ar
entitled TO a speedy trial. Commits
sioner Pfeiffer spoke up. Charges o.
this character are a reflection upor
the person against whom they arr
brought. The burden of proof rests
upon those bringing such charges"
Ready to Proceed.
Commissioner Pfeiffer pointed ou'
that the trial had been postponed from
last Wednesday. had been set for II
o'clock and although an hour hat
elapsed, no complaining witnesses were
present.
At this juncture Frank Young en-
tered the council chamber and in
formed the commissions that Mayor
Black had informed him Thursday that
the trial was not coming I'M. Commits
tho fact that ON Wednesday the com
.n a;ss - sat Tho cose for IN O'clock Fri
day. 49,.
II can get ready in fifteen minutes
| if you don't want to railroad this
th;no" yonno said
W. aro rod 70 nroceed. take the
..ond &c Won wish i Commissioner
ptn;sfor aid
ie'ii rLrna,.,od With Fine
Young ;nterrnnted with remark,
- y r. n,ernr NO rom Objected tc
Mnem sn Id 80 a;.bar tsLe The witness
stand mr. Withdraw from the council
s.anu VI f;no uas tbrcotcned fol
oa.amnt whom Yonnr stated emphati
con i,.' .h", Sa nonIJ No, Withdraw. and
9 Chisf 81 pnI;ce a o. Van Riper start
"a ,nn.ord the scene Of near hostilities
'u observation-disclosures Wright prevented fur.
No nnnn,ont hv asking II. ]. Nc.
NM al ...nrnov Cor Mr.. Harrigan, il
Niila iiiha % ,,rossrt his clients side
ne ne AZ 80 NJ Mcmillan stated that
o, Tue G 80 ras ready. hut that in
Mr. i as ,he fa;,,re Of nrononents to be
view ~ ~ 10 nrasacute he felt that the
vi na"u I'LL he dismissed. He fur.
t ,h"r s no;,,Tsd aut that Harrigan is dc
sacto officer. and under court deci.
SONS eou'u "o' "