The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-12-22

OrR SPY PoIIcE.-The Metropolitan police
system, which las been saddled upon us by the
Albany Legislature, is fast assuming an aspect
so odious and insuferaLle tlat the people will
be compelled at last 10 revolt against It and
overthrow il altogether, unless it is abolished
by statute, and the old Municipal police force
restored. Instead Of being an institution for
the protection of our citizens, it is every day
giving evidence of its utter ineficiency in that
capacity; and, more, is degenerating into sys-
ton Of espionage which is at variance with the
spirit % cur government and the sentiments Of
the people. Mr.. Superintendent Kennedy has
a theory that the workings Of the police system
should be entirely secret; that everything they
d. should be recorded in the sealed books Of
the department, from which the public eye and
the press are to be carefully excluded. If the
mode OF conducting tho police depar .ment
adopted in two or three recent instances. il to
be pursued, we shall soon have system estab-
liShed here more suited to European despot-
ism than to community of free people
AT the services in Plymouth church, Brook
Ign, On Sunday evening when some absurd
iumor about an attempt to martyrizc Hengy
Ward Beccher gol abroad, it is stated that there
We're no less than two hundred policemen pre-.
sent in disguise no doub, 20 tie
conversation around them which, we presume
they were instructed diligently TO take note of
AMI report, and that, too, in place where 20
mucn is always claimed for The tight Of free
speech. IL they were there for Tho purpose
mply Of keeping ~ peace, why not appear
in uniform, and in their proper character as
policemen Where was the necessity f.,
disguise?
Nor il this the only instance whore the autho-
rity Of the police his been msapplied Of latei
Take the case of young Buchanan, charged
with the murder of Mrs. SL.nca3. in
Twelfth street, and the conduct of the
officer who conveyed him to the city
after his arrest, as another example, upon which
we took occasion to comment q few days ago.
Aud, again. more fragrant instance of mex
cusable espionage occurred at the Union Place
Hotel, on Sunday last on pretext Of enforc-
ing the Sunday Liquor law. After the hotel
was closed for the night, policeman in citi-
zens dress entered by side door, and repre-
fening himself as private citizen, begged a.
u favor for something TO drink, as he was cx-
cccdingly thirsty aud in need OF refrcshmcnt
The proprietor, Mr.. Thorpe, informed him that
he sold no liquor on that day, in obedience to
the law, but that If hc really was absolutely in
need Of drink he would give him one, as he
considered himself thea in lis private house,
the business Of the day being over. The visit
Ell asked for q "whishey skin" Mr.. Thorpe
called for hot water and other necessary in.
gradients FOR that delectablo compound, and.
producing small flask or can from a drawer,
mixed the drink; whereupon his guest q! once
cried out arrest you for selling liquor on
Sunday" But the landlord happened 10 rccog-
mise tho pretended private citizen at the FIRST
glance, and, requesting him to smell the prin-
cipal ingredient Ia the "whiskey skim asked
him il tere was any law against selling cam
phene on Sunday. The disguised officer, low
ever, insisted upon taking Mr.. Thorpe to the
station house, where, the true nature Of the fluid
having been testified to by two Of the walters,
the captain discharged tho prisoner, assuring
him that the policeman had oyersteppcd the
line Of bis duty.
While II was no doubt very pleasant for this
gentleman to escape . nights lodging in
cell because policeman had exceeded his au-
'hcrity, II does not alter tho principle Of the
thing, nor does il relieve any citizen from tho
danger Of arrest and its Inconvenience at any
moment as long az our police system rs con-
Quoted upon such disgraceful plan as this. IL
is unnecessary to say, however, that no such
system can be long tolerated In this metropolis;
for II Il be carried much farther the people
will put Il down by some means Mr.. Foucho
Kennedy will And that the citizens OF New