The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-04-02
THE BOSTON DETECTIVES.

An UnwhOles0me State Of Affairs Discovered
by n Committee Of the Legislature-Pros-
pect Of Further Developments Of Corrup-
ton.
BOSTON, March 81, 1862
The HERALD has already contained an account OF
some OF the dongs Of the detective police force Of
Boston. which have correspondent with, II not out
rvaed the corruptive practices OF the detectives OF
other cities. For long time there was an effort to
avoid investigation; and when it was found that
examination was inevitable the next move was to
have the results smothered by having the hearings
conducted in private. To accomplish this end
the reporters Of the Boston papers were
generally influenced by the legislative committee
charged with the investigation to suppress the facts
brought out at a hearing few days since but the
enterprise or reckessness OF the reporters OF the
New YORK HERALD and Boston Traveller in giving
the disclosures to the public created such senti-
ment in the community that the original intention OF
the committee to have the further hearings con-
Quoted in private was at once abandoned.
The committee had its second hearing at the State
House this forenoon, on which occasion Mr.. George
III. GOodng, the Boston broker, who was robbed Of
$4,000 In golu, appeared and made oath to state
ment concerning the completely with thieves OF de-
tectives Heath and JONES' OF this city, the account
being substantially the same as that which appeared
III the IERALD's Boston correspondence couple OF
days since. After Mr. Gooding had become satisfied
that the officers Heath anu jones' Thom ne had en-
poyed to arrest the parties who had robbed him
were working III league With the thieves and against
him, he informed Mr.. Heath of It, Mr. Heath re-
piled thai he was sorry Mi. Gooding dare trust
him, for henot only liked him, but actually loved
HIM. and he would Ike to go into business with him.
Concerning the matter Goudlng recovering his
money from the robbers Heath told HIM once that
he mad better wait until they had made another
.big striker and then they would pay MIN; to which
Goodlng replied that ne did not wish other parties
TO be robbed Tor the purpose OF paying him.
Question by the Comulittee-Was anything said as
was TO be made?
Mr.. Gooding-No, sir; there was no need OF it;
knew what ''Dig strike" was, and until / worked
myself, without the assistance OF the detective
officers, WAS unable 10 get along; 1 ala
not have any support from Heath and Jones in
finding the robbers Of my gold; they worked against
me all they could Hound tnat one of tile thieves was
in Montreal from otner sources; when told the
Chief that thought Heath and Jones were playing
false ne said he considered them his two best
officers; he was willing should tell the points Of
the robbery 10 other detectives III The CITY Hall;
got tue information Of Heath's receiving ten per
cent from OF the thieves about two years before
he was arrested, ABOUT three months ago; one OF the
thieves told me once that he would come TO Boston
TO help me get back my money! II had brought HIM
to Bosom when he proposed | should have saved
money; he SAID he denied that Heath and Jones had
ten per cent because Il ne was coming 10 the states
he dld not want the officers down on nun.
by the Commtee-lias any honest and reliable
person ever told you hat Heath and Jones received
Ten per cent?
Mr. Coodlng-I do not see how any honest and
reliable man can give percentage IN a robbery or
recover 1t; part OF my information came from Hol
Annis, who is now In the Kingston Penltentiary for
the LORD bond robbery IN New YORK.
By the Committee DO You know OF any other mat
tiers OF corruption concerning the police of Boston?
Mr. Gooding--l do; had an anonymous letter from
q New Bedford man Ia Kansas, who stated that the
Jenningses were concerned in throwing or the safe
OF the Taunton express 10 the night time; nave the
name OF the person who arrested Tom Jennings.
who states shat Boston defective ben heatn) came
down and procured his release and had aim enlisted
in the Carlisle barracks. Mr. GooaIng here land be-
fore the committee several letters containing what
he considered charges against the Boston police and
names OF parties who should be sumnioned.) AT the
private conversation which | had with Colonel
kurtz, the Chief OF Police OF Boston. IN the fall or
winter OF 1866, ! told him that there were stories
ab out town about the Chief and Ben Heath reccw-
ing hush money; he said ne had no doubt that some
one had been playing Chief; he requested me TO say
nothing publicly about 10; did not think that Colo
mel kurtz TOOK hush money from any person III.
rectly. except 1t might tie in small MINOR affairs;
others have different opinions.
The Conmidee-Do we understand You that the
Chief is IN the habit OF taking money in tlis wayy
Mr.. Gooding-i VIII give you the papers, letters,
&C. aud the names OF persons you eau summon. rud
the committee Judge; Ben Heath az tinc
showed me letters from rom Jennings, which The
latter had written hum: subsequently | had an m
terview with Colonel Kurt, by reaue3. oi District
Attorney May ana asked Tor another detective to be
detailed Colonel Kurz SAID that lie had heard that
/ was hawking stories about town that he and his
whole force were thieves and liars. and unless de-
med that could not have an officer: he was in
struced TO make no promises and therefore refused
to answer. he denied ever having told any such
st0ries subsequently went 70 the state ponce ana
stated what was wanted, and received al the cour-
tesy desired.
In response TO subsequent questions Mr.. Goo1ing
stated that he knew there were many square and
honest men Ia the Boston police force IA working
up his case he employed ''crossmsn" anh paid
them; he had paid Dut about eighiy-seven dollars
10 regu officers since abandoning the regular de.
tectives. Upon Characterization ne stated that ne
had told District Attorney sanger substantially the
same Story which ne lad told the committees;
had not attempted 70 get an Indictment against
Heath and Jones, and had not attempted 90
before theL;rand Jury with the case; he mad heard
from reliable persons charges against the Boston po
lice connected with the LORD bond robbery aud
two Of pocket picking In the Providence depot;
crossmen had told him that they did not undertake
.jobsr unless they were pretty sure OF protection
from the police.
Colonel kurtz inquired OF the committee If Nr.
Gooding was under oath, ana was answered IN the
negative.
After brief consultation the committee decided
that all the witnesses the hearing should he
sworn. Tue oath was then administered ~ Mr..
Gooding.
by the Chairman Being now under oath, u the
statement which you have made trueS
Mr.. Goodingles, sr, II ~ true, as far as II Il DOS
sible for any man To remember.
lie then IN response TO questions stated that the
robbery and the detection aud conviction OF the ro-
| Ders had cost him about $4,000. 10 had taken
nearly everything that he owned ana nc should now
be compelled 10 close his place state street and
abandon the brokers business take a smaller
place. In the pursuit Of The robbers he had received
efficient help without pay from OF the Boston
police force but from the detectives none that had
been OF any service 10 him. lie said that he mad al.
ditOnal statements 20 make which concerned the POI
| lice, and the hearing was postponed 10 Friday.
I