New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-11-26
POLICE DIsCIPLINE-MR ENGLAND's COMPLAINT


AN INTERESTING CASE'
Mr.. Isaac W. England of No. 81 Ere-sto Jer-
sey CITY, managing editor Of The SUM- appeared before
the Police Commissioners yesterday, and preferred dam
aging charges against two Of their officers, namely Pa
trolmen James G. McComb and Per Lee Fonda. Pres
dent Acton exhausted by the nervewearng abos OF the
mornings trials did not attend in the afternoon; conse
ouently many Of those fine points in police discipline
which he usually draws out were not touched ana Tue
case OF England against McComb and Fonda Was there
fore nero barren recital The testimony shows that
the facts are as follows After his journal had gone to
press at about q o'clock the morning of the 18th ns
Mr. England started for the COurtlandtst Ferry But
between Fulton-st and Dey, IN Broadway, he was at
tackled by two young mcn one Of whom unmanagea-
blv drunk He defended himself soutly and was aided
by Of his employees who reached the spot IN season 10
make himself useful private watchman, VINO was on
the chilling side OF Broadway crossed the street ana par
ticpated in the struggle, and the drunken name com
nonjon or brother entered the fight in earnest at this
Dont and when tho guardians OF the night reached the
spot the engagement had become general MT
England, snarting under an unprovoked assault
demanded the arrest OF his assallants; but the
officers, who did not know him and dd know
the two young TO be peaceabe clerks Who were en-
poyed by tradesman near by observed that they were
bleeding and he was not their inference that he
likely to DO guilty as the young mem and their
view Of the case was strengthened by the demand OF the
sober brother that the officers should take Mr. England
into custody The patromen threatened to bundle
the entire party off 10 the Ibertyst Police Station, and
| had they done so no police law could have touched
them but Officer McCOmb imprudenty seized Mr. En-
glands coatcoar and raised his club saying that he
would knock HIM down If he did not shut up and still
Imprudeny, and in clear violation of police rules,
permitted the others OF the party go their way At
the Police Station the officer charged that Mr. England
had been guilty Of disordcry conduct" But Sergeant
Woodward accepted Mr. Englands version Of the case
and at ordered Officer McComb TO find and take TO
the station Mr. Englands assailants They were found
and committed TO the celia aud subsequently Justice
Bowling punished them Learning that Mr. England in
tended take the before the Police Commissioners
Officer McComb visited him IN bis office. aud. having
failed TO persuade him, made the threat in exceedingly
offensive language that II Mr.. England should prefer
charges nt the Police Central Office he c oihcer would
prove that Mr. England "a sober mani was drunk al
the time Of the encounter Herein may be
found tie ofenso 10 which officer MoCOmb may
charge his dismissal II the Police Commissioners dis
miss him; and they certainly would have taken his
shield ON the spot he had undertaken yesterday TO In
troduce such testimony lie must have employed TO
make out a ease Of ntoxicaton. The charge against Pa
troman Leo Fonda IL that when Mr.. England requested
him 10 arrest the asaans he bade Mr England 90 be-
fore Justice and sue out warrant The Police Com
nissouers will not even censure this officer for he saw
no marks OF violence Mr Els person, and almost sim
uaueously with that gentemans demand he heard one
OF the Young clerks who had been pretty severely beaten
demand the arrest OF England. He was not on his
own most but had entered upon another officers beat
10 render assistance and whom ne had learned that ms
comrade was able to manage the case he returned TO h
own routine of duty.