The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-10-02
A DETECTIVE ON TRIAL.

The only case OF public importance before
Commissioner Manierre, who presided at the police
trials yesterday morning. was the complaint against
detective w. q. Elder, OF the Central department,
who was arraigned on q complaint Of improper con-
duct preferred by Mr.. Alexander j. Hamilton, OF
No. 81 Exchange place. secretary OF the Central
American Transit Company. 1t appeared that while
riding up town In Third avenue car, at about four
O'Clock in the afternoon OF July 10, Elder noticed
q middle aged man sitting next TO a lady
on the opposite side of the car with a
newspaper spread hi5 lap. Elder saw,
or imagined he saw, the man moving his hand
under the paper. Believing that the man was
attempting to pick the ladys pocket Elder snatched
the paper from his lap and, he says found OF
the mans hands on the person OF the lady, He
therefore, arrested the man. who proved TO be Mr..
Hamilton, on suspicion OF picking pockets or COM
milling an indecent assault on the woman.
The prisoner at once denied both accusations,
became very noisy and dcmonstrative and abused
and threatened the detective in the most violent
manner after his arrest and while being conveyed
before Inspector jameson who ordered him to be
locked UP for the night as the courts were closed.
trate al the TomoS.
MIR. Hamilton alleged in his testimony before the
Commissioner yesterday that he was not guilty OF
either OF the charges made against him, and was
merely engaged In reading the paper when arrested;
that his hands were not upon or near the person OF
not complained OF any untoward conduct on his
part. lie admitted that no was greatly excited and
provoked. He further claimed that the arrest was
unjustiiabe and made through malice, aud that the
detective had used unnecessary violence In drag
ging him through the Streets and while In the pres
ence OF Inspector Jameson had seized him by the
throat and tore his collar.
Counsel for defence introduced great number OF
witnesses, including Mayor Hail. Justice bowling
Captains Jourdan and Walsh, Mr. Henry Vanoe.
WORT Clerk OF the General Sessions. and Chief De.
tective Keso who all had known Elder for great
many years and bore testimony TO his capabty re-
liability and discretion as detective oifcer. None
OF them thought him capable OF arrestng man
from malice or revenge.
MIR. George II. sheldon, chief clerk In the Fire
Marshal's Bureau, testified that no unneces.
sary violence had been used while in the Inspectors
once. Inspector Jameson also testified that
Elder had acted In the most onicer-like manner
while in his oIlce. mass OF testimony was taken
TO show that 10 was q common practice In cars
stages and other crammed places for men TO take
unwarrantabe liberties with the persons OF females
In the crowd, and IL was done In such manner that
the women themselves would scarcely notice IL; and
further, IL was almost Invariably old men who were
engaged In this bestial business Elder made his
statement, detailing the circumstances which led
him to suspect Mr. Hamitons movements aud take
him into custody after which the case referred
TO the BOARD for their consideration.