The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-12-25
4,843

It will be by the above lists that disorderiy
duct and fighting the streets have increased
arrests concerned by something like ninety per cent
while ntoxication and dsorderly conduct present the
Christian era Indecent exposure of the person has
nearly doubled larceny has increased by some forty
per cent and the prostitutes catching the spirit Of the
before This latter result, however. may have been
somewhat induced by the very beautiful summer nights
i perhaps that of begsing in tho street, only ten
rests being accredited to the FIRST six months, and Only
twelve to the sss Inns ~ queer turn.
the streets and force themselves in at every door.
Following the above table are few supplementary
statistos The FIRST of these shows that lodging has
been given in the Station Houses during the last six
months to 1880 persons; 1916 children have been
drownipS and ss Ares e1tinsuishsd
Another table shows 6372 additional violations of
poratlon ordinances and the direct report concludes
with the state Of the department. showing that 77lo
days duty days pay have been lost to the cv from
ths sickness disability of the members and that 80
policemen have been broke for cause and Sc suspended
for various offences.
We have thus III offenders out of the department it.
self; which being added to proper ratio of the SO
Mayor not rendered. until charges had been pre-
ferred against the psrties make up exhibit Of dere
LECTION and offence within the department itself which
the whole population of the city.
What picture is here presented of the morals
of New York-of the inefiiciency of the police
government-and the total inadequacy of that
great social establishment Who are response
BILE for this state of things Under the laws or
ganizine the police, we find the Mayor is legally
responsible, and has full control over the system
of rewarding the police, over and above their
weekly compensation allowed by law. This
system of rewards, and the manner in which it
is used, is probably the principal cause of this
terrible increase of crime. 1t lis a system pre-
cisely similar to that of the old stool pigeon sys-
tenn; but it seems to be organized under the po-
lice laws, and by the fiat of the Mayor, with the
advice, probably, of the Chief himself. The
amount of responsibility between the Mayor and
the Chief of Police may be difficult of separation
or of being divided practically, although the
whole of it rests on the Mayor by law. tits very
evident, however, that there is some gross neg
ligence, some terrible inefficiency, IN some quar-
ter Is it in the Mayors Office, in the manage
ment of the power committed to him, or where
is it
1t is time for the people of this city to inquire
into these things, ascertain where the evil rests,
and adopt some measure to bring about reform
in the present police system, particularly in the
practical part of it, The accounts we hear every
day, tend to confirm us in the opinion, that a
considerable portion of the police is leagued with
criminals charged with crime, merely for the
purpose of getting rewards. 1t is the old stool
pigeon system, established under the mantle of
the law ITSELF and with the sanction Of the au-
horltes of the city. Let us have full and fair
investigation of the subject-let US find out the
cause of these things-and apply remedy.