The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-09-25
POLICE TYRANNY.
Police Inspector ms Mngistrate-A Pris onel
Locked Up for Eight Days without Hear.

Police Inspector ms A1ngistrate-A Prfs Oner
Locked Up for Eight Days without n Hear.
ing.
Soon after the opening OF the Tombs Police Court
yesterday morning Justice Hogan was appealed to
byIoficer Rourke of the First precinct in reference
to respectfully dressed, middle aged Intelligent
looking man, who gave his name as Samuel Hitch
cock whom the oHlcer had in custody. Judge
Hogan elected from O'Rourke disclosure Of .
course OF proceeding on the part Of Inspector Of
Police which the Justice said was violation OF the
common rights OF citizenship and was deserving OF
The following conversation which took place will
give just idea OF the case:-
Oncer-I have been sent TO ask you. Judge, to dis.
charge this man.
Judge-What forY
Onlcer-i arrested him on the charge Of stealing q
horse.
Judge-whenP
OHcer-Three years ago.
Judge-Arrested the man three years ago!
O1icer--NO he stole the horse three years ago.
Judge-Where Is the complainant
OflCer-He is not to be found.
JudVe-When did you arrest the man, tiens
Ofcer-Last Thursday week.
Judge-What. eight days agoS Has he been in
custody ever SINGER
Oticer-YeG, Sir.
Judge-WhO committed himY
Onlcer-The Inspector at Headquarters.
Judge-HOw came he to commit him9
Oflcer-I took the prisoner 10 the station and the
Captain heard what the complainant mad to say,
and then he told me to take HIM to the Inspector at
deaQQuarteTss anu near Wudt Hhu W SdJ ouout
/ was patrolling when saw this man pursued by
the complainant, and l stopped him. The COM
plainant told me that this man stole q horse from
him three years ago, and took them both to the
station, and from there TO Headquarters
Judge--And this man has been in custody eight
days on that complaint, has her
Onicer-Yes, Sir.
Judge-Tnere must have been some evidence
taken; was there not-no affidavits, OF cOurses
Onicer-The Captain and Inspector heard what the
complainant had to soy.
Judge-Where 10 the COMPLAINANT
Onicer-He cannot be found.
Judge-Now you come to ask the Court to dis
charge this man. don't blame you, but the In
spector ought to know that in the person Of this
man he has violated the rights Of ordinary citizen
ship. The law distinctly says that any man accused
of crime shall be taken forthwith, the court bt
open, to the nearest magistrates court and In this
case yeu actually pass this court at the time Judge
Bowling was sitting, and take the man before
| police Inspector, wnO without the slightest au
thorty. anu, as 1t now turns out, without particle
OF evidence, deains him in prison eight days. 1t 4
Q cruel wrong perpetrated upon this man, who's
consequence OF his detention. IL Is tim
the people OF New York knew that the police OF th
city are capable Of doing these things. Men ar,
locked up without any protection by counsel, jus
tice of the peace the press any or the projections
shall certainly not discharge the man until some
thing Is before me. II there was evidence enough tC
detaIn him eight days there 10 surely evidence
enough for me to see or hear.
In reply to pressing inquiries on the part Of the
officer Justice Hogan told ORourke to take the mar
to the station, ana II he could get any evidence &c
bring him back and he would hear the case, but IN
It's present state he should certainly refuse to have
anything to do with 1t.
The 0lflcer and his prisoner then left the court
Just before the adjournment O'R0urke came to tel
the Judge that Inspector Diks had discharged the
man from custody.