The New York herald., 1867-03-21


low the complete reconstruction of the South.
II they do not they might just as well have
remained all their lives shut up in the flth and
impurity Of Tammany Hall, SO graphically de-
scribed by Mayor Hoffman.
A Dosbsrry In Now York-Gcns Of the
Elective Judiciary.
The truth OF the saying that "history
repeats itself' is vindicated by the reap
pearance upon the New York bench of the
veritable Dogberry drawn by Shakespeare
over two hundred and fifty years ago. The
investigation Of the State Senate into the
Connolly-Kennedy imbroglio has been tho
means Of making public chapter in the official
history of the jovial Justice Of the Fourth dis
trict which proves that an active politician
and jolly boon companion may at the same
time be anything but an ornament to the
bench. The Senate having requested informa-
ton as to the reasons that Influenced Superin-
tendent Kennedy to order the police Of the
city to take no prisoners before Justice Con-
nolly's court, the Superintendent replies by
producing very singular batch Of afadavis
tending to fastsn upon the Judge very un-
judgelike conduct. It appears from these
documents that Justice Connolly has very
poor opinion of the Metropolitan Police force,
and has omitted no opportunity to give them
bit of his mind. One patrolman, who had
arrested rioter for breaking citizens win
dows, was told, "What right had you, sir, to
arrest this mans have great mind to lock
you up. II you arrest that man again or any
other on similar charge will have you com
mitted and tried for Q misdemeanor." A
second, who had made an arrest for violation
of the Excise law, was lectured after this fash
ion :-"Citizens ought to protect themselves.
If some Of you officers had your brains knocked
out the parties who did it would be justified.
How long have you been ON the police? You
are one of those smart, efficient officers looking
for promotion. Now, l shall discharge the man,
and if you bring any more men here on such
charge as this will lock you up If were
this man would sue you for false arrest"
Another, who brought up prisoner on SINH
lar charge, received the following rebuke -
Most horrible crimel most horrible crime
How dare you bring q citizen before M on
such complaint! Don't you know that the
Recorder has given his opinion that the law is
unconstitutional Now, sir. If You bring
another person before me on similar COM
plant will commit you to cell. You have
your choice, to obey me or to obey the Super
intendent of Police. Now, sir, 60 to the sta
ton house and tell your captain what l have
said to you." A policeman who was indis-
Greet enough to arrest q man whom he found
in the act of kicking another in the head, after
knocking him down on the sidewalk, was told
"y you saw too much. You are id nui-
ssncs. There has not been one days peace in
the Twenty-second ward since you have been
there" And . yet more inoonsiderate member
Of the force, who went into brewery to cap
ture man who was trying to murder woman,
was severely rebuked for conduct that might
have been the means Of "spoiling whole
brewing of ale."
The Dogberry of Messina had the same
views Of the duty Of the watch that the New
York Dogberry has OF the province Of the
patrolmen -
DoGBEaRr-You shall make no noise in the streets:
for for the watch 70 babbls and talk h most toiera.
b y n
the alshousss and bid them that drunk get them to
bed.
wArcH-How IL they will notf
DoasBKRy-Why then let them alone tin they are
sober II they make you not then the better answer you
may say they are not the men you took them for.
WArN-Wel, sir.
DocBxmr-H you meet thief, you may suspect him
BY virtue OF your oce to be true and for such
kind q men, the less you meddls o. make with them
why the more is for your honesty.
lay hands on himS
they that touch pitch viii bs denlsd ho most psaceable
way for you, II you do take thief IL 10 let him show
You S. s1sa pns SIs IL
stay him. Marry. not without the prince be
willing; for indeed, the watch ought % offend no man;
On one occasion we are told in Super
intendent Kennedy's statement that number
of hackmen were taken befors our modern
Dogbery, charged with violating the city or
dinances in not having copits of the legal
rates Of fare to show their ctstomers. The
New York Dogberry ct first reused to receive
such 9 charge, asserting that there was NO law
to sustain it; but upon the LAT being read to
him by the Sergeant Of Polie, "well," said |
he, "that was not known to ne before, and If |
I am ignorant Of It it cannot Y expected that |
hackmen should know it," 30 b dismissed the /
whole batch Of complaints The last case
which led directly TO the orer Of Superin-
tendent Kennedy, BY whichlhe police were
directed TO take no prisoner before Justice |
Connolly, grew out Of III arrest Of two
men for violation Of the Hcise law. The
Judge dismissed the complain and committed
the oficsrs for assault and bttery, requiring
them 70 give bail. This the lolicemen, under
from the Superintendent refused
10 do, whsrsupon the jovial judge, after -
verely rsbuking them for their want of
respect towards The bench committed the
officers 70 prison. In like banner the Dog
berry Of two and half ce1nries ago stood
proudly on his dignity
Doosunay.-0ods ~ nfs Who's the sexton LEI |
him - wit doun--she princess oa>r coxcomh Come, |