The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-12-14


spnOn II Is extremely dimeult to procure hs accessory
evidence to convict these parties. sNt-
q Don't they sometimes put up Ae dgn 'exohsnge"
and Stationery to evade the Law in these lottery shopss
A. Yes, SIR.
Mr. OK.-Dsn't you think that houses Of prostitstoa
are necessary evilnow don't you think 80, ss cit
citizens Of New York somewhat smorousy inclined;
but don't think they are q necessary evil.
II the houses in certain localities were broken sp
would 1t not scatter them throughout the cgf A. Yea,
SIR think It has dcIe SO; 1t drives them INFO houses
with respectable people,
Mr.. Stuyvesant--Wbat amendments do you propose TO
benefit the police laws think the power Of the cap
tains l. much estrcted, and think II they had
more the department would be more esent they should
have the power to punish tor minor offences, and to
grant little ndugences my impression ID thst politics
control the appointments Of policemen now much as
Of the department nearly i've years six months Of which
/ WAS private; when my term expired applied for .
appointment; was told BY Judge Beebe that might
possibly succeed bat II defeated It would be solely
political grounds; this was while Mayor Westervelt,
Tfiow and Beeoe er>commissoners; defeated IN
my application for ,eappoiu'ment By the same board;
a. much now ever to do with appoDtments-arc still
qualification for appointment; this have been told by
those who now in the department.
O Does this operate against Hindoos democrats
A. don't know that answer that; think the sys
tenn whether ey wings ,. 4 OF a nsr
the control of party politics. have Known Of
disreparding The rule In some cases. requiring the
applicant how TO read and write, know OF one
case There the party appointed while lieu tou
ant who could neither read write and the Commits
Mr. 0Keee Don't you think such SOS are very rares
Witness think the cases would not be very ii
there such rule.
ed on the police who convicted Of any crimef A.
Yes sir; know of parties having been appointed who
Fenien,iay but know Of none who had been convicted
OF high crimes.
Judge Moore, Of Brooklyn, was next sworn.
Mr.. Hopkins--We desire you, Juoge, to make state
ment in regard 10 what Mr. Beais said Of you.
Judge Nile stated that man named Williams and
we've convicted in August 1854 whereas they we're CON
ycted In January 1865; he also stated that asked him
TO try to do something for them to get them out
that he replied bad done very wrong towards them;
wish say in regard that that such
passed between Mr. Besle and myself anything
sation with him, in which he asked in regard to the
persons referred and in which explained the
why they were kept so long in confinement and With
which he appeared to be entirely Satisfied this all de-
sire to ray in regard to that matter
Mr.. Stuyvessnt-Does not the interference Of Mr..
Beae to be discharged who should not be
Judge Moorc--well, he might be mistaken well
body think in regard to the police system OF Brook
yn as " Is at present organized the people would do
Mr.. Hepkns--Wen sir, guess that exhausts the
subject.
be enforced except the Aldermen do it, and they APP
point their political friends to Office; policeman can
only be removed BY the Aldermen in conjunction With
can them without cause Il Is impossible pro
efficiency uLd der these circumstances the force
about $780, the system should 10 altered that dsci
Iiine and efficiency could be secured the crescn ofa
Board Of c. mmissoners would eaec. this; / think the
system New York is far the best the Judiciary should
have pothing 10 do with the appointment Of Off ,ers
don't know Of evils tina. exist under the present
vsgrant Law in Brooklyn. have discreet magistrates
who perform their duties very strictly; in the city OF
Williamsburg they are a little negligent In Brooklyn
there from 900 10 500 Migrants committed during the
year. / have known Than 500 indictments having
been found by the Grand Jury OF Kings county in
month but that included great many violations OF the
Maine Liquor Law.
Mr. Baker--ln the ease OF the parties me ntioned by
Mr. Beae, how long after their committa werc they kept
Judge Moore-They we're never sentenced; they were
discharged in the Of burglary committed in Brook
yn by three persons they were arTestei in this city by
one OF Capt0n Norris men, and they were convicted Of
burglary in the first degree two of these were BENZ amin
Williams and his wife, Ann smith mentioned by Mr. Beae;
OF the parties named John Williams confessed that
he guilty. but that other two-Benjamn and his
wifewere innocent they also said that there two
persons in this city who knew of their innocence pro
cured their names, and caused them Ut the next
Of the court TO be brought to Brooklyn and having
put them under oath examined them, and from tho
story they told believe the jury would have found
wiiiams and his wife guilty had they known it before
inquired also, into their previous character but found
they had not borne very reputable before that
Ann Smith had been Water street prostitute, and that
BENZ. williams character had not been much better;
concluded it would be unjust to send them to the state
prison. but that would do them good to lock them up,
and they accordingly were locked up until within ew
days. they arrested about the fall OF 1854 satisfied
innocence
we're accused, discharged them their recogui
zances return receive their sentence; had
10 suppose that they might be nnoent; X sentenced
they would have had ten years i'm piisonment.
Captain Ditchett Of the Fourth ward police, recalled
Mr siuyyesan-Do you know Of any abuse, existing in
the Police Department.
Capt Di,chett--one evil struck me; have often had
parties brought in charge of shopf ingthe owners
and witnesses appearing AS this was after the courts had
adjourned heard the complaints and locked the parties
up.
Here Mr.. Beole interrupted the Witness aud said that
in gan to the OF Judge Moore lie incorrectly
reported, and made 20 use language that he never ut
tered
Captain Ditchett cortnusd--In such cases notify the
comphinants TO appear next morning 1T the station
house, after coming 10 the station house all the parties
then sent to the Police Courts where the examination
takes place. the parties committed for trial and the
ainants notified ths. they will receive subpoena when
wanted they then appear at the Court OF Special es
sions and In some instances than once; have had
great many mpan that getting back their goods and
having the parties convicted IL loss OF time than
the original loss Of the goods would amount to- speak
this show the trouble the complainant Is to
before Il conviction be had in my opinion, power
should be given TO captains OF police TO dispose OF these
cases they should have power to take tho testimony aud
have the ready to be adjuccaed upon by the ma
ate don't believe they can 90 this, however, except
The Office Il made elective.
Justice Connolly sworn testified follows s,n
police magistrate OF this city; have been applied 10 by
the friends of parties 70 request aptans snd hem 10
the maeistrates courtkfor adjudication.
sir. Hoptins-Does this table contain the that
you have entertained and atijadicated upon
Justice Connolly--Yes sir.
clerksf.
Justice c.--No sir; and / have frequently been told
20; thing ought 10 have the power Of appointing
them; should have at least two clerks and scriv
ener; the interpreter in my office, Mr. Fennoburg has
had 10 act in the capacity of clerk many times.
The following Is the table spoken Of by Mr.. Hopkins:
CAtos ApJUpicAnp Ar Tosrs IRON JANUARY ]
10 otToHER 81, 1856.
Abandonment. ........ 30 kidnapping. .........
Arson. .............. Grand larceny. ....... 1917
Assault and battery. i, 80 Petit larceny. So
Felonious assault and Constructive larceny.
battery ............ oil Lottery dcaiipp5 -. j.
Attempted rape..... 4 Malicious mischAf 49,. "a
nastardy ............ Malicious trespass....
Bper1y ............... i Mayhem. .......,....
Burglary 51 Misdeme0nors. III
Conspiracy ............ 4 Passing counterfeit mo-
Common prostitutes. 3sS ney...... ..........
Deseriion. ............ 4 Perjury ............,
Dsorderiy apprentices. IL Hckpochets. ........ IS
Dsordcriy codu:t... j ,0s1 RaIe................
. houses. la Receiving and buying
Drunk and disordery.. "a; stolen goods. -
fribe element ....... Rtotipg .............. IL
Falas pretences...... " Robbery. 81
Uni chs hoak n