The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-12-08
witness-NOt beyond the month.

Witness-I generally examined for three or four days
Mr.. stuyvesant-Do YOU know whether the police cap
tans In the habit OF dschargng prisoners receipt
Of simple order from the Mayor, Recorder and City
Witness-I have already stated that as o fact.
Mr.. Stuyvesant-Does he give examinations in such
casess
Witness-Not that know Of
Mr.. Stuyvesant-Have You ever known person arrest
cd variant issued BY the May TO be tried and
WnessI am not aware that such conviction has eve,
followed.
Mr.. Crosby-Have the Aldermen the power to dis
charger
Witness-I believe SO: but they do not exercise tina
power; believe the Counciimen never had the right
Mr. Crosby-Are the arrangements BY which accuset
persons have access to counsel they onght be2
Mitness-Do you mean in the prisonS
Mr. Crosby-ies.
witness--i do not know anything of that.
Mr. Crosbyls every opportunity given in your court
WitnessIn my court IL Is; have been under the i'm
preston that was made by the keepers
Of the prison at last 1t has been regarded by the pub
lie; do not know much about It,.
Mr.. CresbyDo you know that there is class Of per-
who are called s.slinnersn or .shystsrs'Y
Witness-i not in favor OF calling people by hard
names but believe there are shysters in every class
Of society there are great many people about these
places who presume make their business by rendering
services pretending to render service to persons in
distress.
Mr. Hopkns-The charge made here is that these per-
interested with the officers the court and
that they make spos of their prisoners and share the
profits
witness-I inclined think that something of that
kind does exist.
correct that evil, have you reported the partiesY
Witness-l have always repess ed those influences in
proper manner.
Mr. hopkins-Tell US he W. and we will Judge of that
Witness1 sent officer to the Mayor, for keeping in
MS possession bag Of stolen property he took 1t to his
Mr. Hopkins-That is not quite the class OF offences
that aim at.
Witness-I do not know that an actual csse of the
to m As hav
stated.
Mir; HopkinsIt is, as take it, well understood and
yer the magistrates do nothing to bring the parties Of
Tending 10 justice.
Witness--Ihat is so.
Mr.. Baker-Wha is their mode of working, between
the sshysters' and police oficersY
Witness-t is not understood as ! know, to be
confined TO the police courts alone. 1t through
the Mayors Office the Chiefs office and through the body
Of the police; am speaking now Of my understanding
AID impression from general report aud belief until
year two since prison kept the Office Of the
Chief o. Police and in fact do not know but that it is
yet there; 1t by order Of the Common Council de-
Glazed to Re branch of the city prison; have heard
that PARTIES have been confined there my understanding
OF the system Of these is that officer making
arrest notice to be given lawyer
and IN return for this the lawyer gives him per cenage
his fee; 90 rot consider this practice by auy
means general practice Of the police OF the city; think
that the great publicity that has been given to It, ana
the odum in which the great body has been brought by
few caused ia great degree by the quarreng of the
parties among themselves
Mr. Baker-Does not this system interfere with the H.
Der ty of the accused to secure his counseiS
WitnessYes, sir if he has reference for any coun
and the policeman presents to and forces another on
magistrate the fnng for ntoxcaon, the penalty te
be to ten dollars and each day in prison quidatng
one dollar Of that hne at present IL man serves In
PEELED 10 pay the full ten dollars.
Mr.. Crosby-What becomes Of this money!
Witness1hat taken in the police courts is given
to the Chamberlain but that takeu In the prisons given
to the Governors Of the Amshouse t, supply entertain
nents for members Of the Legislature when they
Mir. HopkiDsI does not 60 into the county treasury
at all thens
Mr.. Hopkins--Have you not known instances Of this
kindf That Yen have committed a man to prison for
Of fine, when he has not been in fact
mited to prison, but has remained out few days and
in after and paid the fine TO the officer and to the
Court and does 1t not appear on your record as con-
mit,ed to PRISON.
witless--I do not recolect such case
Mr.. Hopkins-But there would be record on your
book Of the payment would thereg
Witness--Yes, when it was paid; of that kind
would not frequently might be that the accused
would ask that the officer be allowed to 60 with him to
get the amount Of the fne and II the officer went then
II would appear that he committed to prison, aud
session giving two of the Governors Of the Almshouse
power to discharge the yagrants committed to their
custody ty magistrate should be 80 amended as to
quiie the concurrence Of the committing magistrate
MIR. Crosby-What IL the difficulty now9
WiipessI think that the law previously in force wa,
the eectral for the purposes intended and cannot
think why ii altered it is at present two Cover
nofs exercising arbitrary power and without cog
nzance Of the facts discharge prisoner, when may
hap the magistrate has been at great pains to the
convictions; last year my commitments amounted to
hundred and sixty six and my discharges to eleven only
r 40 & 'ne s o.
pains was taken he was discharged.
Dir, Crosby-Was he an able-bodied mann
Witpess-He able bodied fighting man. there
another influence than that OF his not attending to
work on the island; IL Was not pecuuiary
Mr Hopi ns-Do the magistrates make records of all
Wtness--Yes, sir; woman OF the town Is disorderly
in the street. the attention of the policeman Is called to
her. and she is esed and committed; she Is a
with friends, but still common prostitute appeal Is
made any two of the Governors get her out and the
ana tsen seun sroush
before me again she win tell me, sitting my seat and
to my face that abe does not care d. because she
get out, and out they do get.
Mr. Crosby-The effect then, is to anaul your power
police magistrates
Witr ess--Yes SIR.
Mr.. hopkins--Does 1t frequently that husbands
and wives sent up to the Island the AFFIDAVIT Of
witresa--yery seiiom and then not unless IL comes
under the personal knowledge of the magistrate in
the Of frequently before the court for dis
orderly conduct, intoxication, such like.
MIR. Hopkins--Have not You the power in law to
pend any police officer that is Detailed at your cours
Witpess-Yes, nr, for day or 20, until we can 60
down and make an affidavit against him.
Mr.. Hopkins-Haye the same officers been at your
court all the time that you thereY
Witness-No, SIR, think not.
Mr. Hopkins--Were they changed at your suggestion
wtness- nevcr had an officer changed at my sugges-
ton.
Mr. Crosby-They generally regard a desirable po-
sition do they notS
Witness--Yes, sir.
Mr. Crosby-But there is payS
Witness-No, SIR
Mr. stuyvesant-But they have an opportunity to at
tend public amusements, and thus to make up extra
pay, have they mott
WitnessI suppose It is likely, that something of
the kind
Mr. Crosby-ln Of ball. not men In the habit Of
appearing for bail who probably worth two thousand
dollars and yet counting the number OF cases,
that they worth fifty or hundred thousandf
Witness-I never knew Of such case.
Mr. Stuyvesant-Dd you ever discover any man CON-
ing to offer himself and swearing for bail when he was
not worth cent?
wi,ness--l did last May; looked after the and
found that he lad sworn falsely
Mr. Stuyvesant-Wha. became of that complaint
Wtress-I sent II to the Grand Jury, and he In
dcted and aerward tried and convicted, and il now in
prison. also held his suborner, who WAS In company
with him. he aso convicted, gave bail, and after
wards forfeited II and fled.
Fr Stuyvesant--Do you know what is the practice Of
police "a what called mock auctioneersf Do