The New York herald., 1844-07-11
"ANorHER SECRET AND HoRRIpLr MURDER. =.

ANOTHER SECRET AND HORRIBLE MURDER
Start not gentle reader at this caption, for we ex
pect every hour to be compelled to endite it as a
prelude to the narration of some bloodthirsy deed
the actor in which, as usual, having escaped justice
Escaped JUSTICE" you will say, "and why z"
Because our system of police is totally inadequate
for the emergencies and necessities of this great
city, and because there appears no disposition on
the part of the public authorities TO adopt any sys
TEN that will meet these emergencies While the
Wing party held the majoritys in the corporation,
they talked about it until the people became weary
and elected them from Office. The Democrats
then were ushered in red-hot with promises, and
they talked about it until the people were ready to
kick them out, whena bill was prepared that COM
prised many wise and salutary Improvement which
received the sanction of our legislature. At this
crisis, the power, now in possession of the corpo-
ration, ascended the throne, avowing no particular
political creed, but pledging themselves to carry
out such wise and salutary measures Of reform as
were desired by the people. On examination of
the laws and city ordinances they became sudden
ly seized with strange retchings of conscience on
the violation of law by the apple women in the
Park, and the porter house keepers of the city,
and the strong arm Of power was brought TO bear
at this point, with but trling benefit to any portion
OF the community
The police of our city-the strong arm to Tre-
vent crime and secure offenders, has entrel,
escaped their conscientious notice, as though they
were not as much bound by their oaths of office to
protect our citizens against rel bbers and assasslns
as to protect the laws from the encroachments OF
apple women and grog venders. The argument
against the adoption Of the plan Of police sanction
ed by the Legislature was, that the Common Coun-
ell had power enact all its best provisions, with
out the assent of that body. This position we will
not deny, but have they adopted any of these mea-
sures! No, not one nor does 1t appear that they
ever intend to, from their past movements. Since
this "reform" party has come into power, they
have had full time to re-organize the whole police
department of our city, and ensure the projections
Of life and property to all within it, but they have
performed nothing. The democratic watchmen
have been removed, it is true, and partzan friends
appointed A portion Of the Mayors marshals at
tached to the police Offices and ward courts have
been turned out of place and partizan friends ap-
pointed in their stead. The terms Of two police
magistrates have transpred, and two "American
Republicans have been elevated to the bench,
been changed one jot or title, and we are still
going on in the same old way, hit or miss, by
chance or accident, good luck or stumbling, t.
secure offenders, and rid the city of the vioators
OF law. To justify our position, let us ask in whal
important case that has ranspired here for years.
has an arrest been made, except by blunder or ac.
cldent and what secret and premedltated murder
has been disclosed through our system Of police
Look at the murder of Mary Rogers-the assassi
nation OF Corlls, and the more recent midnight xii
ling OF the young fireman In the upper part of
city. Look at the recovery Of Pomeroy's trunk,
Mckee's carpet bag, &c., and it will be seen thai
the first named are yet involved in mystery, while
the last were disclosed by the merest accident
The Mayor IS considered, and ls legally, at tn
head of the police-the special magistrates are
lected to entertain violations Of criminal law,
and aid the Mayor in preventing and decreasing
crime. They receive the round and handsome in
come of $l 800 per annum for less than six months
services, and grow fat and lazy in their seats,
while crime Is heaping up for their disposal The
same reason that prevents any efficient concert
ed action on their part to repress crime, also ex
tends itself to every officer under their control
that is, petty jealouses, party feeling, and lack Ct
aaa 10 90 nsr ~n0s cy
community certainly expect in return for the
money they pay annually.
During the administration of the late Mayor, the
magistrates had reason to shuttle out of responsi
Utility, from the fact that he, in many instances, as
sumed the control and direction of criminal cases,
that should have been sent to the police office to
disposal Ihcy can nave no excuse OF that cha
racter at present, as Mayor Harper confines him
self to those duties for which he was specially
elected, and intereres with no business that shoul
come before the magistrates. Let them
as body, combine their experience ant
Judgment at once, and select such portions Of tn,
police bill adopted by the legislature as are wis,
and judicious-and others that are deemed ne
cessary, and present them to the Common Coun
Gil forthwith for their advisement. Let Jus
tice Taylor, of the upper police, with his SOUND
and Justice Matsell, of the lowe,
police, with his experience and efficiency, move il
this matter. Let the wisdom Of Justice Merit
and the age OF Justice Gilbert be added to the con
sutation Let the frank, honest, jo-blunt advc.
and counsel of Justice Job Haskell be intermin
gled, and the legal knowledge and opinion OF re
list. Let them frame plan, with the necessar,
assistance OF the police clerks, and then call in thu
aid of the District Attorney, counsel of the Board
committees OF Police, and such other officers
they may think proper After this consultation, lei
that plan be presented to the Common Council, anc
in torty-eight hours afterwards, 1t will become
law and receive the appreciation OF the whole com
munlty. This can be accomplished forthwith, an,
nothing will prevent it. miserable, petty jea
lousy of feeling and party animosity, that shou,
never be allowed to enter the minds of any public
officer while in performance OF his public duty
Whenever such feeling obtains possession, an,
finds vent that officer not only violates his oath
but engenders the seed that destroys the foundation
FANATIclsM IN RELIGIoN.-The deplorable scenes
recently presented in Philadelphia, and also in ILL
nois, and elsewhere, discover the sad influence ex-