The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-07-01
TEE NEW POLICE UNIFORM.


one O'Clock fer the purpose OF trying csmpants against
members Of the Police Department for the infractOn
the rules and regulations.
Isaac B. sksats Eleventh ward Daniel y Steel rifsh
ward, Ezra Beach Eighth wsrd, and willisa Peterssa
Eleventh ward placed on trial for being concerned
In calling public meeting, at which reAecons
made upon the Police Commissioners and also for pub
fishing improper advertisement in the NEW YORK
HERALD respecting regulation Of the Commissioners
gardng the uniform Peterson tried for having
ployed person to erect the stand in the Park.
The charge against the whole Of them for conduct
unbecomng policemen.
The specification against Peterson was That the said
Peterson about the 9th Of June ut., employed
John Gardener to erect stand In the Park for the
public meeting to protest against the action Of the
Commissioners of Police in imposing expensive and
fantastical uniform thereby creating nsnbordnation
among and melting violation Of the discipline of the
police department
The specification against skaats was That the said
skaats the 2th June ult, acted as Secretary at
meeting Of the policemen, when tho Commissioners of
Police were held up to ridcule and contempt aud did
cause TO be published in the public under his
own name notice for the public meeting to take into
coz sderaon the imposing expensive and antssticai
uniform by the Commissioners of Police thereby nctng
members Of the department to insnbordnation and in
violation of the discipline of the department
The specification against Beech the same varying
that he was Chairman against Steel tho same that
Mr. scbsfer Of the New York bar stated ne attended
upon behalf Of the men charged.
The affidavit of Robert W. Bowyer was then read, In
which the advertisement In the New YORK HERALD was
embodied calling meeting Of the citizens and police In
the Park on Thursday last, at s o'clock.
Of raising the objection that the facts set forth in the
affidavit Go not show VIC alton Of the rules of the de-
paTtment; Section 80 is the most comprehensive.
Judge Beebe-It does not come under that section.
Mr. Schafer-fhe charge involves no neglect Of duty
The call though violation of taste, only amounts to
error in the right Of languagen calling the uniform
fantastcal but calling does not amount viola
tion Of the rules and regulations Of the Police Depart
ment.
sworn statement made by skaats, was then put in
In relation to the charge Of being connected with the
meeting in Military Hall, relative to the uniform Of
sequence Of notice which sent to the station house.
inviting the platoon off duty to attend for the purpose
tion to the uniform. Policeman Ezra G. Beech was
called to the chair and myself and Daniel Steele, Of
the Fifth district, were appointed ,retaries
mission OF i've was appointed to call meeting In the
Park One of the committee asked append notice
Of the proceedings in the Park to the proceedings of the
meeting at Military Hall and did do So do not know who
wrote the notice. and would rather not state who gave
1t to me, or who composed the committee dscaim in
tending to offer disrespect to the nor
would have aligned the advertisement had carefully
He also made . statement that he had put the name
Of Beach and that Of Steele to II without consulting
them.
Beach and Steele both put in sworn statements deny.
by their authority and that they would not have CON
sented had they known the disrespectu in
which IT was oouched In other respects the adavts
were the same as that of Skaats.
Mr. schaer then said he felt it due to the men to state
that three members of the Police Department had called
into the law and he had told them that they could
resist the orders Of the Police Commissioners the
uniform and drill and that he had suggested that some
of the best Of the body should together and
lay any grievance they felt they had before the Comms
sioners They stated that owing to the many expenses
fhau INIT hv fh0 hrt aoT asnnu thNtr
pay inadequate to meet the demand made them.
That he might have been misunderstood. The advice
think 1t the intention Of Mr. skaats to do anything
insulting to the Commissioners that he would vii.
The affidavit of John Gardener was then put in in
which he stated that he employed by Peterson to
erect the stage in the Park and that he looked to him
and to him only for payment.
Peterson said-I was appointed by the committee to
employ Gardener to erect the stage and did 80; did
not know in what language the eau Of the meeting
couched; understood 1t was principally to have meet
ing to let the public know the right in regard to the uni
form and that the order for the men to get forth
with.
The Mayor-To let the public know?
Peterson then repeated the words and contnued-The
police were desirous of having their salary increased to
By the Mayo (showing a posting bilD-I did not
The Mayor-They were all over the city.
mr. schafer, who seemed to have a set of clients who
were most desirous Of speaking for themselves acted
moderator throughout, and appeared to have rather
Mr.. schaferI would suggest if Mr. Peterson did
know Of the handbls do not nd any rule to which he
at the most bad taste Ny advice to get meeting
Of udcious members Of the body respectfully to
statement 1t could not be intended to in any In
tended slight to the Commissioners
Judge Beebe-Myself and the other commissioners
any members of the Police Department upon anything
which they could imagine to be grievance, which
they could consider pressed upon them.
IN mn EnOVve big far f1pu nH3pnr
Peterson He has been with me at all times and all
hours and have listened to all he desired to say.
Judge Beebe-We desire the utmost confidence and
cordalty to be established between and the members
Of the department and should be ready to meet
our duties to the city, should desire to afford them all
the privileges In power The Commissioners the
friends Of the department. and wish to be looked up to
must be imposed II is for the benefit Of the well
for the city In general !, for one willing to be-
sss the s Of the men and that thsy ad mot
mfsioners. Complaints have been made regards the
drilling This Is thing with them. 1t is not that
up 10 much Of their time. But this reason will cease
when they become perfect The necessity for this fre-
aueSt attendance viii not exist There is not man in
are desirous OF promoting ! am personally known to
six hundred of the men, and certainly could
have desire to oppress them. The Office il
trey honorary, and most in its requirements,
aaa difficult discretion to punishment Is sted in
the Com missoners and when this Is 80 II too often
shment Is defined the Office Of the judge oaly to pro-
nounce the law. When any rule operates ardshp
upon the men, that rule assured, the Commission
ers wouc amend If consistent with the efficiency aud
discipline of the force The matter in respect to the
uniform has been wholly misapprehended oy the
II oesre to uniform the for their VA SAFETY.
An insignia Of ofce carries with II moral power aid
acts protection When in difficulty they tnen
act with tenfoid power With the man who honestly
does and desires to do by dlty there ia objection TO
the uniform II Is the idle ana skulkng who dread the
distinguishing mark Two years ago. when the police
marshalled, would attend out at the elbows,
another with his trousers turned up, and others with
shoes down at heel exciting by their heterogeneous a
pearance the smile Of the foreigner. The compliment
lately paid to the police Of the city In my hearing by
foreigner, Ia enc they deserve, and which
body Of men any 10 be found ia the world" Isit
not owing TO their uniformity Of appearance? When the
see them. II is their discipline and appearance which
attract the admiration Of their fello citizens The uni
form is bas &c Of serviiy. II is honorable and
distinguishing mark, and If anything mark of indie
pepderce.