Investigation of charges against two watchmen.
--The
Mayor will go into an investigation at the lower station-house this morning of certain charges which have been preferred against watchmen
Fabius Hicks and
Henry Franklin.
Hicks is charged with receiving a reward of one thousand dollars for the arrest of a runaway from the
Spotswood Hotel and refusing to turn over to his partner (who, in fact, secured the negro,) one-half of the amount, alleging as his reason for so doing that two hundred dollars had to be paid to some spies who had been engaged to find out his whereabouts, thus leaving only four hundred dollars apiece.
[It is the practice among watchmen to go in pairs, and whenever one of them arrests a runaway negro for whom a heavy reward is offered, the understanding is that what is made will be equally divided with the other.]
Franklin's offence consists in securing from a negro thief, some nights since, certain articles of clothing, table ware, &c., which turned out to be stolen from
a Mrs. Watson, on Eighth street, and afterwards neglecting to return them promptly to the owner.
Since the occurrence he has been suspended by the
Mayor on account of certain representations which were made to him about the affair; but yesterday watchman Cousins informed his Honor that
Franklin gave him the stolen articles the morning they were recovered, and requested him to return them to the owner, if it could be ascertained who it was. After repeated enquiry, he (Cousins) learned that they belonged to
Mrs. Watson, and immediately they were given up to her. This was the cause of the delay, and not from any lack of disposition to part with the goods taken from the thief.
Upon learning these facts, the
Mayor has determined to ascertain the facts in the case, so that no injustice may be done
Franklin by dismissing him from the
night watch without proper cause.
