Gartsu v. Coleman

This is a petition for mandamus brought in the superior court praying that the petitioner be reinstated to the office of captain in the police department of the city of Woonsocket in this state. The respondents constitute the board of police commissioners of that city. No question of procedure or pleading is involved. After a hearing a justice of the superior court granted the petition and a judgment was entered ordering the issuance of a writ of mandamus as prayed. From the entry of that judgment respondents duly prosecuted their appeal to this court.

It appears without dispute that in 1929…