Court Opinion

ID: 5206504
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-01-06 16:03:38.981461+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:27:17.834935
License: Public Domain

Gaynor, J.:
The charges against the relator were two, i. e., (1) that he made an agreement with one Smith to pay him $850 to use his influence to obtain for the relatdr promotion in the fire department, and (2) that he introduced fireman Oppe to the said Smith for the latter to use his influence in like manner for Oppe in consideration of Oppe paying him $1,000. The deputy commissioner dismissed the first charge, but found the relator guilty of the second and recommended his dismissal from the force, whereupon the commissioner made such order of dismissal.
Smith had been convicted in the Special Sessions of obtaining the $1,000 of Oppe. In order to have him arrested Oppe made an affidavit, and the relator made one in corroboration before the magistrate, in which he said that he introduced Oppe to Smith, and that the said Smith told the said Oppe that if he would pay him $1,000 he would procure for him an appointment as assistant foreman, and would have his rating by the civil service board changed, and have his name put high on the eligible list. The prosecutor of the charge against the relator put this in evidence, and also the evidence of the relator on the trial of Smith, and examined Oppe. The relator testified on the trial of Smith that he could not remember ever having seen Oppe and Smith together, but when shown his said affidavit he admitted that he introduced them, but said that he heard no conversation between them. On the present trial he was confronted with his testimony given on the trial of Oppe before the deputy fire commissioner, that he heard Smith say to Oppe at the time of such introduction that he would act for him and assist him in getting a re-rating, and getting him high on the eligible list, and that his fee would be $1,000, and admitted it was true. Oppe’s testimony confirmed this, but he said that the relator did not see him pay the $1,000 to Smith.
The relator having introduced Oppe to Smith, and the latter having obtained $1,000 of Oppe for his aid or influence to get him *204rated high and promoted, the only thing left to make out the charges was whether the relator introduced Oppe to Smith for the latter to nse such influence. The deputy commissioner had to draw his conclusion of fact on that head from all of the evidence, and the inferences that could be drawn therefrom. It cannot be said that the relator was not privy to the arrangement between Oppe and Smith. He introduced Oppe, and the agreement was made then and there in his presence. It was fair for the commissioner to conclude that the introduction was for the purpose of bringing about the agreement, for Smith and Oppe immediately proceeded to discuss the matter of Smith’s aid, and entered into the agreement for it. It may be that the deputy commissioner was influenced adversely to the relator by the way in which he was worried and baited by the captiousness and insubordinate tone and manner of the relator’s lawyer on the trial (who is not of counsel before us), but that we cannot help. If those who are subjected to such trials have them conducted in a way to annoy and harass the trial officer, and drive out his good nature, they have themselves to blame if he does not feel very amiable or lenient toward them when the trial is over.
The statement in the order of dismissal that the relator was found guilty and dismissed on both charges is a harmless clerical error. The whole record of the proceeding shows that the first charge was dismissed, and the return to the writ is that the commissioner “approved of the findings and recommendation of the deputy commissioner ”.
The order should be confirmed.
Woodward and Miller, JJ., concurred; Hooker, J., concurred in result; Rich, J., dissented.
Determination confirmed, with costs.