New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-01-15
FXFCUTIyK OFFICE, FKNIAE BROTfiERHOOD,
Ne York Ian. 1
THE METROPOLITAN POLICE.

COMMISSIONERS ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1867
The Board of Metropolitan Police Commits
sopers have az last Issued their annual report for the
year ending Nov l. 1867 the form OF concise business
like detail Of facts, without preamble or unnecessary
elaboration The erection of polceistations In localities
where they needed, and the present condition OF
those already use, is the first subject discussed and
from the nature of this part the report infer that
the power Of providing proper quarters for the police
still rests in the hands of the county authorities. The
Controller having purchased two lots Eldridgest be-
tween and Grand in the Tenth Precinct build
ing about to be erected 20 by 100 feet square, at cost
of $4,000 This will probably be the finest police station
in the district Another projected the open space
bounded by Broadway, sixth-ave and Thrysecond-st,
which will also cost $4,000 The popular prejudice against
the erection OF station in this district and the hgh
price Of real estate, have defeated the attempts
OF the Board In finding a site anywhere else;
plot OF public land they have secured most convenient
and eligible site The premises occupied IN the TWenly
first Precinct have been purchased and tho Duidlng,
which is In bad condition. is be repaired quickly as
possible The provision made for this purchase In the
tax levy appears 10 have been ample, and alter paying
for the land s4 900 remains for the repairs Tie station
of the Eighth Precinct having been condemned by the
io TO make IT tcnaable and the is the with
respect the Second, Sixth Third, Ninth. Fourteenth
and Seventeenth Precincts The COmnisSioners suggest
other changes in the stations, but none are or Import
ance. ThOee of Brooklyn appear TO be in much better
condition Most OF the buildings are new or recently en-
largcd and repaired. and few alterations are re-
commended. In Richmond County. which con.
divided, portion occupying station at sta
etpn and wo The Fame re%93dST at S t
lodngrOOms and stables for the horses Of the mounted
patrol but change is deemed necessary in the present.
arrangement Of tile Police Courts Persons arrested and
convicted Of oenscs punishable by impri-onment in the
County Jail require to be Transported IRON fensers aud
West Farms 10 White Plains, the County seat Safety and
economy requiring that this transfer should be erected
by the Police, some clearer definition OF their power to
hold prisoners under these circumstances IS needed Inc
Commissioners request that provision DC made ny law
requiring the judgnent and orders OF commitment made
by magistrates To be executed by the POhce.
Tho report in relation to the House OF Detention OF Wit
from NeWloik, were detained ahaggffge OF 5il2day
ard 10 persons committed from Brooklyn an aggregate OF
727 days This method Of securing witnesses may be an
Improvement the old Of committing them 20 com
mon prisons but it s has many objectionable features,
and occasions great and unnecessary hardship in many
cases IL not nnrequenty happens tat worthy persons
residing distance from either of these cities who pos
sess knowledge, Of criminal affairs and are un-
able 10 furnish bail, are confined In the House
OF Detention, while the offender u allowed TO
remain ut large on bail - After long delay the
offender is often acquitted discharged without BALL or
forfes his recognzance; and then while the unfortunate
witnesses are punished. the criminal escapes; This
wrong should be immediately renrdied snpp0rlng mat
the Legislature has tie necessary power the Commission
recommend tie passage Of law altering The present
custom III criminal suits 80 that witnes, may behllOwed
TO file his sworn testimony with the District Attorney on
proper notice TO the prisoner or his counsel which affords
opportunity for Examination. and theeupon he
discharged his recognZance II unable TO procure
bail.
The value OF lost or stolen property reclaimed taken
Of. and restored 10 owners during the year was
s2l6Ss2s a. only 500 % worth Of property remained
unclaimed. and appears that the ultimate aggregate
loss 10 owners including al expenses, was little more
than - per cent upon the value 81 the property -,
in the force during tho year 25o27 days. Of
which 1929 we've paid and 1902 unpaid being sSSo days
less than for tie previous year Only ~ deaths occurred
during the year OF which dn the case OF Robert B.
received while in the discharge OF duty. A, long as
the policy OF paying patroimern Tor ,, time los.
pect Of the question is deemed worthy OF atten-
lion Tho time lost 10y sickness during the year has
IL al n
for twelve months and IN force Of men appointed for
life, the Commissioners properly infer that this rate viii
constantly with the OF the men.
The present estimated nj 30 years month for
t Dyme q; @ 2ut in resrcct 10 the
requisites Of health and physical vgor, IL Is fully i've
veaTs mast tbe mime The changes occurring from DEATH
dsmissus DatiOns and new appointments cannot be
expected 10 materially affect the average age Of the force
and the Commissioners suggest the proprety adopting
some more effective measures for retiring superannnated
officers adequate pensions Sucha plan could not fai TO
be productive Of results largely beneficial TO the public at
large and 10 the members Of the force for the knowledge
Of such provision awaiting their old age would afford
every encouragement in the faithful discharge OF their
duties and the maintenance Of the uniform good conduct
necessary 20 secure them in their postish.
The Legislature AT It's last session. amended the law
creating the Police Life Insurance Fund with view OF
extending its benefits 20 large class OF mcmbers but
the section framed rs 10 limit the extension O tho
pension 20 very small class, and those only the widows
Of members who shall be killed In the service THIS the
Commissioners claim should be revised 20 a. 10 apply 10
all members Of the force who become superannuated
The stations Of the various precincts have lodging
son Of yaSnis not gn each Sf Year in hs manner
supplied with space enough on the naked WOODEN paI
forms 10 lie po and kept warm enough 10 prevent Their
freezing Though nearly as uncomfortable as they coud
he tliesa Recommendations blessing 20 the niser-
apfe persons VINO are compelled TO resort 10 then'
During the ncement these rooms are OFTEN su1
cent to lodge who apply for shelter They
OF necessity occasions sent from one station
found for them. Those who apply for THIS accomm0
dalton the most wretched OF our population They
be committed To prison, and 1t would not be cred
liable 10 the Government 10 allow them TO freeze TO death
In the streets The accommodation now aiiofdedls insu
ucfa aIHp t.lO
would be charity we'll bestowed 10 provide independent
Of the stationhonse AUXILIARY lodging honse' under the
the city, where the population dense OF sufficient oil
not he accommodated In the existing lodging Four
six such establishments built and adapted 10 the use,
and the attention OF the charitable earnestly directed
10 the subject in the hope that there may be set on FOOT
among our citizens who are blessed Win me means, some
suIerngs Of the wretched poor in NewYoik and Brook
Ign. ,.- .,,
enforcement form considerable portion OF the report.
It's benefits in restraining drunkenness and rs attendant
evils are shOwn In comparative statement OF the num-
Der OF made Sundays and Tuesdays during the
months Of May and & s OF bs ir a@
and for eleven months Of 1861 after the innncons were
,e o a mssav t for number
while the arrests Sundays for Ike ofenses were only
24 Previous to the enactment OF the law the arrests
on Sundays uniformly exceeded those OF any other
day in the week. A large proportion OF tho
Sunday arrests those made IN the cases persons
District and arrested on their return u the city.
The Commissioners argue very strongly iron this and
other lndsputabc premises In favor OF tho law claiming
that the interests Of property and taxpayers
qure its enforcement ON the present plan as e revenue
thus accruing will pay of the city debt IN few years,
and relieve the people from taxation TO meet the annual
interest thereon During the first year commencing with
May l. 1866 when the Board OF Excise organized TO
April l. 1867, the sum received by the Treasurer for
licenses and fines u 26 and during the second
year TO Dec c. 1867 the amount received 09s TO-
giving total OF 5I 90 IN nineteen months. Mention
IA made OF the difference noticeable between the election
disturbances OF former times and the comparative quiet
that characteTzes such occasions. AMI the fact
used az argument in favor OF retaining ihe law In its
present FORM
The report also calls attention TO the record In relation
10 the business Of the Bureau OF Elections The law pro-
vides that when the votes OF district exceed 500 the
dyidn hv