The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-01-09

Thus it will be that in population of 1900 we
have at the very lowest estimate $4,000, who may be
a.
in contemplating this shocking catalogue of human de-
pravity which does not include every description Of
fraud and dishonesty which pracsed it necessary to
remind the reader that such deprav must be measured
by scale proportioned to the extent OF business OF this
hievng city New York not only the centre Of atsrac
ton Of this unon but also the general receptacle for the
idle, depraved and vicious of almost other country
who emigrae to this 1t is much to be regretted there
FORE that while immortality RIGHTEOUSNESS and crime
on the advance sufficient interest has not been bestowed
by the public authorities to check its increase
This is to be attributed almost entirely to those def
ciences and imperfecons in our present system Of Po
til very recently has been allow I'd to snmber unwor-
thy Of the attention of public selected to prepare
laws to protect the community from aggression and in
jury.
In a recent number exposed the lack of efficiency
the existing Police, and the apparent want of know
Of REFORM made manifest in their neglect to
make the arrest and conviction of receivers of stolen
goods the basis Of the prevention Of the burgla
res and lacenies that daily and nigh ranspire in
cities.
The next most important measure is the selection Of
magistrates and officers whose intelligence activity ho
nesty and prudence form the main characteristics for
commentator to these important stations. Wherever
activity and zeal is manifested on the part OF the magis-
aes the officers under their immediate direction seldom
fail to exhibit similar desire to promote the ends of pub
The material measure is the regulation of payment
Of officers which, under the present stem, partially
erroneous, and to which more evils can be traced than
benefit.
The most proper method, after the payment of small
salary would be system of rewards for the and
conviction of offenders of every class from petit larceny
the highest grade of felony exclusive OF misdemeanor
The extent OF such reward should be left in the dscre
tonary Of the Judges Of the Oyer and Terminer
and Court of Sessions, to grant withhold lor to limit
and increase the same according to circumstances con
neced with the trouble EXPENSE and risk of the parties
making the arrest whether there is conviction not
This would obvate the objection, often urged by counsel
against prosecutors and officers of acting and feeling as
interested persons in securing conviction.
In all where rogues have committed a second
offence Of burglary larceny they should be tried and
punished for the second offence, and liberal rewards
hould be paid for all such arrests 1.-THE Common Coun
ell Of this city would adopt such system making the
arrest and conviction Of receivers stolen goods the basis
Of all other minor offences, hesitate not to
say that, with the present police, but
few months would roll round before burgaries md
Grand iarcenes would be rarity criminal re-
cords Every ctzen-whose duty il is always to arrest
of felony-would he the alert; every watch
would make the detection of midnight roguery his
study-police officers would from motives Of GAIN il
naugh and ferret the Of rogues and
receivers that infes city and doubt that private
clubs and associations would be formed, entitled " Anti
3urgarsn-" Thief Detectors"-Pickpocket Watchers,
| and q Felony Detectors" who would make New
York too hot to hold the rogues that nfest it. A
proper regulation Of the proceeds of police ofcesthe
imposition of fnes-sae Of unclaimed property, fees Sc
would be than sufficient to meet all the
expenses thus incurred and roguery would thus be
| compelled to pay for its own suppression.