The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-03-09
Policemen Charged with E.tort,ng Money.

| Police men Charged with Extorting Money.
| EXAMINATION BEFORE THE POLICE COMMISSIONERS
THE COMPL AINAHTs ABsENT-AFFIDAvITs AND
TESTIMONY AGAINST THE OFFICERS ACCUSED
ExcFLLEsT CHARACTER OF ONE OF THEM-wHAT
POLICE OFFICIALS KNOW ABOUT THE RULES AND
REGULATIONS, ETC.
The HERALD published Monday last the particulars Of
charge made by two merchants from Hydevale, ver-
mont against officers Racket and Mills, of the City Hall
squad accused of extortng the Of hun
dred dollars from the merchants whom they had arrested
suspicion Of being engaged in 'shoving counterfeit
money The complainaLts had offered Dad $40 bill on the
Glenn Falls Bank TO the treasurer of Nbos theatre for
two admission Jackets and deposed that the officers had
arrested thom taken Them 10 the back Of neigh
borrg osreputable house, and, after searching them,
allowing them to go, in consideration Of the payment of
500, which officer Racket ntmated would be sufficient
| consideration.
The complanants made their complaint to Deputy Car
pener, and afterwards left the cityhe accused declining
| dately.
Mr. Philips appeared as counsel for Mr. Mills Yesterday
and asked that the companan,s should be subpGnaed
TO attend he thought he could show examna
ton OF them, that Mr. Mills was not guilty. Officer Rack
etts counsel not present. and decided take
what stimony was offered with reference to Mr. Mills.
deputy Superintendent Carpenter testified that about
nne o'clock on the morning after the alleged
(Which took place Thursday evening" he informed
Of the complaint and ascetained that officers Mills and
Racket were that post who, being sent for were
recognized by the compsinans Of the complanants
bad said that Racket the who had counted the
money put part of his pocket and handed the rest
back TO him. Witness the compainants wanted go
out Of town. home ordered their aidavs taken down,
which YVES done; he told by the Treasurer Of Nblos
that both officers inoxcated-Racett considerably
the companants represented themselves merchants
from Hydevle, Vermont and stated that of them
Mr JcnhlDgs-who had the money taken from him, had
been bought out by Mr.. Crooot his companion who had
come TO the city with him for the purpose Of showing him
where to buy goods Racket was evidently under the in
| fuence OF liquor the next morning.
sergean. Twadde testified that the morning after the
alleged occurrence he met Racket at the Of Grand
and Elm streets, and after saying good morning, Rack
EFT said Z" had had good man with me last night
would have made s5,Ooo;n says !, " How" be says,
"Wel, would have made i'll made some, as it was'
be spoke in that way; did not think much Of it at that
time; he appeared as il he had been drinking, and is in
The habit CT talking that way when he ward
he would say Well have made couple Of hundred,o
or go and so he mentioned Niblos but said nothing with
reference TO this case he said If he had had good man
with him he would have made this money and he had
made some will not be positive but think he said he had
made hundred or more; did not place any confidence
IN at the tme because, even when down at Se
guine's Point, here there tras not cent TO be made, he
| would boast in that way.
MessIs. Jennings and Crooot, respectable mer.
chants in Hydevle, Vermont, and that his employers
after they had come back from the theatre and thew told
him the story about their paying sl0o to get Off and ad
ylsed them to come and complain TO the Comniss9ners
when they came back; they did not wish to remain in
the city as Nh jennings wife was ILL., their character
| and standing at home were good.
Mr.. Phillips again represented that these policemen
should be confronted with their accusers and afforded the
privilege OF examination It appeared from their
own statements that the officers justified examin
ing their PERSONS as was not in the ordinary Of
business for man 10 give a $40 bill in payment for an
amount of 81 when he had small bills in his pocket.
Mr. Moore the manager OF Nibos theaer, testified TO
the fact of the compapants having been put in charge
of the officers suspicion of being engaged in ''shoving'
the counterfeit money He did not think from the
veitaton which he had with the officers that Mr.. Mills
Sergeant Seaman of the City Hall squad testified that
Mr. Mis the morning after the occurrence had reported
them to the station house because they begged hard 10
be taken somewhere else; he did not find any
teriet money then and concluded that they in
! Locent.
The sergeant, upon being asked whether not the
duty OF the officers 10 take the men to the station house,
replied ~ do not know that there is any ruleit is dis
creonary with the officer; if he is satisfied that there is
of complaint against them 1t not his duty TO
| take then to the station house." .aJ-ar
This statement not denied by the Commissioners,
sillman and Ward or Deputy Superintendent Daniel Car
pepter all OF whom heard IT. but Captain Leonard said
The sergeant wrong, and referred the Commissioners
to the sections Of the rules and regulations which express
courts arc closed must be taken 10 the station house and
| their Dames reported.
Mr.. David 4. Valentine, the venerable Clerk of the
Common Council; Rev. Mr.. Lathrop, Captain williamson
Mr. Ducn, and Others testified unequivocaly to the good
repeaion of Mr.. Mills for integrity and sobrety AL Of
them expressed their disbelief that he could be guilty OF
| a crime such charged.
Gr. Mills, Of the accused, was then sworn, and
od theme ns se sa %s
bave to take them to the station house 10 search them
hey said that they were willing to be searched but did
want TO to the station house. for fear Of getting their
names in the papers said knew no place to take them
Racket said he knew place on the next block when we
got there found it was seear store, with room
back Of bar went into the back Jm with them
and told them to show what they had; one Of them
searched his pocket and did not Gnd any money;
then searched the other Mr. Crofoot found some small
i e ouned e aRd
nings If he knew how much in 1t; Jennings said he
did not but he thought about $500 Racket counted IL
rtu-oo al Mr. bouu
that when he had small bills he gave $40 bg he said,
"because il came hsnder;' Racket made the money
money touch it, they said they got the money out
Of the bank; looked in Detecor and found that the
$40 altered 50 note Racket said that from the
looks of this money he believed was all bad and
bad better take them to the station house. and settle
it, they said the money was good and that the man who
gave the $40 note would exchange it; they did not
want to go to the station house, because their names
might get in the papers they were merchants Of re.
spocabrty; they would like us to 60 to the hotel
with them, and they would prove that they were all
right then called Racket aside and told him that
perhaps these all right had better let
them co. did this because thought had done wrong
In taking them in there instead Of to the station house,
did to be reported; thought when took them
in there tha. if they had other counterfeit money we
could easily take them to the station house, never was
in the house before and did not know lis bad character
do not know whether Jennings took up the money
Racket gave 1t TO him; think Jennings took IL up him.
self left the frst Jennings next Crofoot next and
"Iets take dripki he told me the reason that he did
so was that they should rot tell that they had been
searched by two officers in that house, they then walked
down the street and went away; Mr. Racket, myself and
the two men all that In the at the time
the searching; attention not drawn from the -four
but two minutes, when attracted by disturbance In
| the front room.
The testimony here closed for the present and Mr.
Philips briefly argued to the Commissioners that Nc Mills
unmsakaby good reputation ought TO be considered He
thought the searching not arrest and perl
tho officers had NOT violated the rules in not taking the
| parties 10 the station house.
The case is TO be heard further before the Comnls.
| sioneIs
4
Williamsburg City News.
The NHw FERRY CoYpANy.-At last the controversy be-