The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-01-09

FneHrrUL STATE OF SocHry-THE RAPE CASE
CoRRuPrIoN OF THE PoLrcE--THE RExosM NEoxs-
sARY.-The people have been startled, and thunder
struck at the recent developments upon the trial OF
Dinsier tor rape perpetrated upon "loney, desc
late friendless, and penniless female" almost in
open day. Of the most public parts of the great
est thoroughfare of this city. The people know not
when or where they are safe. The city seems to
be swamiDg with burglars, blackegs, thieves, rob-
bers,a land moustached debauchees. They infest not
only the 'Five Points," and other similar localities
but even Broadway, and the most public thorough
fares The whole city seems to be fostering in Its
own vice and corruption, and we look in vain for
any preventive, remedial, or conservative prnci-
pie in the present police organisation.
Citizens wives, SISTERS husbands, brothers, all are
becoming alarmed for their safety both by day and
by night. They call out imperatively for action
on the part Of the Corporation. Both Boards meet
this evening, and something decided should be
done. The Board Of Assistant Aldermen have una
nimously invited Messrs. Taylor and Whiting, one
from each political party, to bring forward system
of police reform. They are able to do it-they can
pull together-they understand one another-and
the public have great confidence in their knowledge
and ability. Let US have action at once.
7 On the subject of police reform, in our last ar
tlcle, we showed what the police is at present.
That the whole system is based on the presumption
that police officers will be honest in the discharge Of
duty, when is most Clearly against their interests
to be so. That the law offers the officer four shi-
ngs ut sfour shillngs and not three) to be honest
and catch the rogue; while the rogue offers him the
bride OF five dollars to be dishonest, and let him CO.
Hence, that it is the interest of police officers to
tolerate and encourage crime, because the more
crime, the more pay; consequently, that it is un-
reasonable and unwise to expect such officers, or
any officers, to act against their own interests.
Now then, the remedy for the evils OF this police
system, and the reform to be effected, is simply this
construct your system on such principles as shall
make it the positive interest of the police officer to
detect, apprehend, and convict the criminal. Do
not rely on the honesty and integrity Of any public
officer, when you throw around him such mighty
temptations to be dishonest; but make it at once de-
cidedly for his interest to be honest.
How Is this to be effected! What system will &C.
complsh this? We answer, that system which has
this principle in 1.-THE less crime the more pay; the
more crime the less pay. Give the officer to
catch the rogue than the rogue give TO let him
80. salary alone to the officer will not answer
for then the law will fill one pocket, and the rogue
the other, and the officer will be loudly paid
There mist be salary to pay the officer when there
is no crime-and rewards competent to encourage
him to effect the dimnuton Of crime; and the less
the crime, the greater the reward There must be
a graduated scale of rewards. A scale might be
graduated according to the severity of the sentence
imposed by the court-three months, such reward
six months, much-Blackwell's Island, State
Prison, one year, two five, or ten years, so much.
The increase of the number of police officers, we
apprehend, would but increase the evil A dozen
scientific and practical police officers, with suit
able pecuniary inducements, would probably under
take-we might say by contract-to clear all the
rogues out of the city, and catch them as fast as
they might choose to come in. Your police officers
would rather be called knaves than fools or imbe-
Giles. The present police is not destitute of capacity
bu Of disposition-and we believe the disposition
will never exist until you create ii by allowing both
a fixed salary, and suitable rewards upon a gradu-
ated scale. Put trust in self interest, and not in
honesty. especially when underpowerul temptation.
On these principles you may construct proven
tive police, and on no other. Some light, IN the de.
tails, may doubtless be obtained from the London
and Paris police In the latter, however, they have
to do what they have not in this country, and that
is, to look out for crimes and conspiracies against
the government. In London there is less of this
duty, because the government is administered on
more liberal principles and there is greater affinity
between the people and the government, owing to a
more full enjoyment of the elective franchise. Even
in our own country, however, there is something of
this kind, SO far police officers are required to
operate for their political friends.
But the minor details can easily be arranged in
deed the system will have tendency to work itself
right, provided it is established in the first instance
upon correct principles.
EXPENSES IN BANKRuPTCY.-As great many in
correct statements and publications Of the court
charges in the operation OF the Bankrupt Law in
this district, have been published in the penny pa
pers, we have prepared correct statement for the
benefit OF our readers
The first business bankrupt has 10 do, is to pre-
pare his petitions and schedules, which any person
IF ordinary capacity can do without the aid of an
attorney. Schedule A, showing his Indebtedness,
@ whom indebted, their residences, time. and
amount, to the best of his knowledge and belief
Schedule B. showing his assets, vice prsa-a copy of
schedule B to be made for the assignee. After the
papers prepared, the bankrupt goesbefor com.
missioner in bankruptcy, and swears to the truth of
his statements.
Swearing to petition and schedule four osths,
Filing petition in clerks Office (this charge
pays the clerks fees, newspaper charges &c. 10 40
After being decreed a bankrupt, the bankrupt