HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 1914-06-08 Minutesi
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June 41th, 1914..
Adjourned meeting of Council called to order by the Chairman. ibis.
F.G.Erfert, F.C.Romfh, J. A. McDonald, J. A. Conrad, H.G.Ralston, C.F.Filer,
The President of the Council said that this meeting was for the.
evidence to sustain eertain charges which had been preferred against the
and he thought that only the witnesses should be brought into the trial..
The City Attorney explained the procedure, 'bleb had been Ontllned,end read
'resolution which he had prepared, showing the manner of conducting the trial, for in'9
,mation, after which, the following resolution was introduced by Councilman Hefty*
RESOLUTION NO. 313.
BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Miami, Florida, that at the tri
of the Chief of Police and policemen held Monday, June 8th, 1914, the following be *do
as the procedure of the Council investigating and hearing the said two causes:
That the oase against the Chief of Police be first called, that the witnesied;01
.support of the charges made be properly sworn and be examined by the City Attornerr'O l:
behalf of the city and by the aooused on his own behalf, or by counsel whom he i*ay.. R.1e
but only one counsel on either side to examine the witnesses. That the same oettre
;be pursued in reference to witnesses for or against said policemen. '..
That after the conclusion of the evidence on both sides that the attorney for the
oity and the aaid Chief of Police, or his attorney, be each given twenty minutes to,
present the oase for the city and for the accused, the City Attorney to have fifteen---:
'minutes to present the case for the city and five minutes to close the oase, and that
no other counsel or other person be allowed to examine the witnesses orargue the cause .
for either side, but that this shall not present any councilman from asking any witneill
any question which may seem to him to be pertinent and proper. After the hearing of the
testimony and conclusion of the argument, the Council shall consider in open Meeting
and such judgment recorded upon a yea" and "nay" vote to be entered upon the minutes.
Any dispute arising alp to admissibility of evidence or any other question that may
arise during the course of the trial, shall be heard and determined by majority vote of
the council present at said meeting and actually voting. No objection to testimony
shall be argued unless request therefor be made by a majority of the Council.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 8th day of June, 1914.
(Signed) F.G.Erfert
—1,7fdiirif Ity Council.
ATTEST:
W.B.Moore
-art`nerk":
Moved by E. C. Romfh, seconded by H. G. Ralston, that Resolution No. 213 ,
be adopted. Upon roll call the vote was as follows: F.G.Erfert yes, H.G.Ralston yea,
E.C.Romfh yes, J.A.McDonald yes, J. A. Conrad yea, C.Hefty yes, C.F.Filer yes. Motion
carried.
The case went to trial, the City Attorney, A.J.Rose, representing the oity,
and G. A. Worley representing the Chief of Lolice.
Mrs. Ritchie, Mr. Ritchie and Mrs. Rockwell were the prosecuting witnesses, and
Mr. Sam Rountree and the Mayor and the Chief himself testified for the defense.
After all evidence was in, which showed conclusively that the Chief was drunk and
which he had previously admitted, a general discussion was gone into by the Council.
Councilmen Ralston, McDonald, Romfh and Hefty were in favor of suspending the Chief,
while Co .oilmen Conrad, Erfert and Filer were in favor of giving him another trial.
Councilmnt,. aton said that he would never vote to keep on the Police Foroe any man
that would k disrespectful to any woman, and Councilman Romfh said that he could
not assume the responsibility of sustaining a man that had been drunk as the Chief
admitted. After discussing the matter for sometime, the following motion was made:
Moved by H.G.Ralston, seconded by E. C. Romfh, that W. J. Whitman be expelled
as Chief of Police. Upon roll call the vote was as follows: J.A.Conrad no, J.A.MoDonaki
yes, H.G Ralston yes, E. C. Romfh yes, C.Hefty yes, C.F.Filer no, F.G.Erfert no. Motion
lost.
Note,-- As the 1,--ayor had not expelled the Chief and sustained him, it took a
unanimous vote to carry the above motion.
In reference to the charges brought against F. L McDade, H. E. Lee and O. R. M0Dad¢,
Policemen, by one Tony Colied, charging them with being drunk, a communication was read
from F. L. McDade, resigning from the Police Force, and an affidavit from Tony Coked,
saying that O. R. McDade was not present at his place and he did not give his name in as
a former affidavit stated and that he signed the former affidavit, thinking that he
was only preferring charges against F L. Mopeds and H. E. Lee. Tony Colied wee present
and exonerated G. R. McDade. H.E.Lee did not appear for trial. After sifting the
matter thoroughly, the following motion was made:
Moved b.; J. A. McDonald, and seconded by J. A. Conrad, that the name of O.R.Mcbade
be withdrawn from the resolution. Motion carried.
Councilman Ralston said that for sometime rumors had been afloat about the rotten-
ness of the Police Department, and thought that the people making these charges Should
be allowed to make them before Council and prove them, or shut up, and made the following.
motion.
Moved by H.G.Ralston, seconded by C. Hefty, that Council meet at some future'
for the purpose of hearing any complaints that may be wade against the idioe De
The Chair appointed Friday, June 19th, as the time to hear tbsee oMMpleiflta
there be any.
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were esverel affidaWits and petitions to be presented by. members of the Purity
,%1WW.$1.. Nelson geld thit ha Would net make any charges At this meeting, as Counell
'designated the following Friday night to hear oomplaints.
° There was also a petition from the Civio League of Colored Town, protesting against
; the, way policemen entered their homes without warrants. It was decided to hold this p0-
1 tition up until the time designated.
Moved by C. P. !Filer, seconded by J. A. Conrad, that Council adjourn. Motion carried.
ATTEST:
City Cierk.
Couiarr.
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