The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-02-23
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY IS, 1870.
THE POLICE BILL CORRUPTION
COMHITTEE

THE investigation of the alleged use of cor
rupt means to pass the metropolitan Police
bill, on the one hand, and to defeat ii on
the other, drags heavily. The committee has
displayed an infnitesimal amount of zeal and
energy. Some time elapsed before it even
held the first meeting, at which the extra
ordinary discovery was made that nothing
could be done on account of the failure to
provide in advance for clerk. Then this
difficulty had to be discussed in the Legisla-
ture, but despite the refusal to make definite
provision for o clerk, the committee managed
by extraordinary effort, to secure one, and a
meeting was held in this city on Monday last
at which the Mayor and the Mayors Clerk
and Chief Kelly appeared as witnesses. No
very important disclosures were made
at this session, and the chief
items of information elected were state
ment from the Mayor that he "did not know
of 0Rg assessment being made upon the
members of the present police force, and an
acknowledgment by the Mayors Clerk and
Chief Kelly that an assessment had been
made on the last November warrants, for the
improper but comparatively innocent purpose
of paying the expenses of the contested cleo
tion. When the committee had progressed
thus far, they adjourned to meet again at the
call of the chairman, and we believe it is con-
sidered probable (but by no means certain)
that they will hold another meeting on next
Saturday. At this rate of progress the ses-
sion will expire long before the marrow of
this case is penetrated, and the investigation
promises to prove either utterly barren in
results, or a whitewashing affair designed to
leave on the public mind the impression that
no corrupt means were employed on
the ooasA&ee showed some vim
in prasiscusg its task. 1t should probe
corruption by the most searching investiga-
tions, and pry into the secret history of all
the suspicious transactions alleged to be con-
nected with the Police bill If the committee
does not speedily commence its task in
real earnest, the public will be forced to the
conclusion that the rival parties are mutually
afraid of each other, and prefer smothering
the whole affair to the danger of disclosing
the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but
the truth. The public interests require that
not only the Republican but the Democratic
version of the dispute should be heard. II
levies have been made on the police to defeat
the bill by corrupt means, the committee
should certainly be able to discover and dis
close the fact. And if, on the other
hand, the supporters of the
bill cannot show clear record, their mis-
deeds should be fearlessly exposed. The i'm
maculate Josephs declared in the House that
Dyiob 10 Ior h. l,;I
passed, he knew of persons who were at
Harrisburg at the time with money which
might be used for that purpose. He should
be summoned to give this information, and
while he is on the witness stand, and under
oath, perhaps he could give more complete
history of the Democratic plan of operations
than that which he volunteered in debate. A
correspondent also suggests to us that if
Messrs Connell, Henszey, Hong, and Elliott
(members of the Senate or House), and
Messis Rittenhouse, Weidener, and Taylor,
were summoned to appear as witnesses, they
could render important service in explaining
the causes of the final defeat of the Police
bill as we'll as the means used to secure its
passage. He thinks Mr.. Henszey might tel
the committee why he would rather have the
bill vetoed than allow the Governor to APP
point the commissioners; that Mr.. Connel
might explain the peculiar reasons for the
selection of Mr.. Weiedner as one oi
the commissioners; that Mr.. Hong might OK
plain Rittenhouses promise to ''divide" pro-
ceeds that Mr.. Taylor might give the reasons
why the ring thought him an available candi
date for Chief of Police, as well as the method
in which money was to be raised from the
new appointees to redeem promises made tc
secure the passage of the bill, and to leave
large margin of profit for its champions
Various candidates for official positions Nigh
also be called upon to explain the nature o
their arrangements with the would-be com
missioners who were kept out of Office by tn,
veto, and the character of long row of mag
niicent air-castles which were founded on tn
BILL as well as the extent to which the rim,
was discounted by the action of the Gov
ernor. Why don't the committee hurry u
and enlighten the people on all these interest
ing subjects?
THE UNITED STATES AND CUBA