The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-03-31
Night Assaults In the Strccts--vVhere arc the
Police!
New YORK March ~ 1892
JAMES GoRpoN BENNETT. ESQ:

JAMES GoRpoN BENNETT, ESQ:
DEAR SIR would not willingly intrude upon
your valuable time in bringing personal matter to
your notice. My only excuse for addressing you is
the unwarrantable and unprovoked attack made
upon myself and gentleman friend while walking
az peaceful and lawabiding citizens, unarmed, with
not even q cane for protection, through one Of the
prominent streets leading to, and nearly block
from, Broadway, at n few moments after ten o'clock
on Monday night of last week. Even it is, j
should not deem myself justified in troubling you,
did not conceive, from the boldness of the attack,
the lives and property every good citizen in dan
ger from the incursions OF the bands Of rufans who
inicst all OF the by streets and dark places Of the
city.
] can only understand now, why every PARENTS
heart shruld throb with fear until the family circle
shall have been rendered complete, by the appear
ance OF the last one whom duty or sociability may
have kept from his place ut the home freside
would not seek to awaken any unnecessary fears,
but do assure you that such fears not ground
less. Gray hairs, nor youth, nor sex are respected
by these lawlcss vagabond.; and would call upon
all good citizens to make common cause against
these vile disturbers Of the citys peace. There is
scarcely section 81 the city which is free from their
haunts and places Of rendezvous at which they are
constantly receiving new recruits Every city in
Europe is necessarily vomiting upon our shores
paupers, thieves released convicts and assassins-
the 'llest scum and dregs of their society. They
boosted Empire City. Here they meet fraternity
and fellowship; and thus, years after, they add
ing to and multiplying their numbers until at
lasL tney Will become the terror OF the land.
The circumstances to which would call your at
tention are these -
While myself and friend were pursuing our course
quietly and unobtrusvely up Crosby street, across
Prlnce, at Nibls's new block, towards the rear en-
trance to Refreshment Saloon, for supper, We
were suddenly anu madly ran against and attacked
by three as ierocious specimens Of rufiansm as
Blaekwell's Island Sing Sing could produce.
railing TO engage us in what would have been dis
graceful ARRAY. by making passes at us and en-
deavorng TO trip US up they followed, step by
step, within few rods Of Broadway Prince,
each corner and dark spot seeming to be alive with
in an unguarded moment, they inflicted blow just
under my right temple, which sent me Keeling to the
curbstone They then made grab for my watch
and chain. Plumber was no doubt the incentive to
the outrage, as do not recollect ever having seen
the villains before. Recovering somewhat from the
stunning effects Of the blow through the aid OF my
friend, was enabled to prevent their design, until
at last tardy Waterman vending his way
from the opposite side Of the street from which
point have no doubt he had been pleased spec
tator OF the scene. Having arrived, he allowed the
cSlprts to escape, without making the slightest
effort to arrest them. That they did not effect their
object, IS not at all attributable to any efficiency of
his. lie very consolingly remarked (and that was
the nearest approach to aid and comfort that the
paid protector OF the citys peace seemed called upon
to. oher) that it was great pity that gentlemen
could not be allowed to walk the streets without
being knocked down. something to that effect.
should judge him to be the true type Of mastery
furnish him. out Of any money not appropriated,
the means wherewith to produce a rocking chair,
well cushioned.
The blow which received has confined me to nv
room ever since--to-day being the first that have
been able to resume my duties and for the first
twcny-iour hours, the pain endured was most excru-
c'd,g NY physician tells me- that had the blow
fatal. As it is, it may long bear the villains marks
Young men, to whom fortune hath left nothing
but integrity and perseverance,, can lily afford to be
waylad, maltreated and robbed, and, perhaps, pre-
vented Tor weeks from pursuing their avocations,
upon the results OF which rests the fabric of their
dreams Of future usefulness and standing in society
am OF this class, and would call for the enforce
ment q INC city laws Tor our protection Is there
no security in them IA vain question, if what am
told be true. ! am told that the corner Of Prince
and Crosby streets is Of the stronghods Of these
vile dsturbcrs Of peace and quiet. Can it be pos
sibe that such beings should be maintained, bought
and sold by patrcisns for bfowbeatng ut the polls
intimidang the weak, and preventing honest men
from exercising their rights as citizens and that
those politicians, after gaining power by such foul
means, wink at the commission of the lawless acts
of these base hirelngsl Such men could not per-
form the duties Of their office they would at once
become slaves to the miserable creatures thus en-
poyed, and their energies for good must of peces-
sity become paralyzed.
What, would ask is the worth of a system Of
police organized under such auspices. fthey are
not IN direct collision with, or belonging to these
bends, they must at least, stand in awe of them
and their existence, as body can only tend 10 arm
our citizens with false and fatal confidence.
shame, shame on the city authorities that such
lawcss depredations rs are nightly Committed.
should oc allowed such impuuity
ioathe and detest the practice Of carrying arms,
out 70 this we must inevitably be driven, ii impo-
the police.
The writer Of this is not seeking notoriety, and
therefore refrains from giving his name But
should You desire IT, he refer to some ofthe best
houses in the city 10 substanatc his claims TO mo-
raity and integrity. Begging your indulgence,
am. very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
QUIET CrTrzvN