The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-12-31
NEWARK'S DEMORALlZED POLICE.
The Functions of the Force Re-
duced to N0nentity.
Triumph Of the Genteel Gamblers-Ihe Commor
Council and Sergeant Benedict-His Die
missal from the Police Force.

Tne Newark police force is just now in an uttep
state of decentralization in consequences Of the result
lust arrived at IN the case OF Sergeant Benedict.
That officer, at meeting OF the Council on Friday
night, was dismissed from the force Tor doing what
the municipal laws ana police rules declare TO have
been his duty. Asreported III the HERALD at the
time, Benedict ana large posse OF men
started one Saturday night three or four
weeks ago to break up some gambling dens.
They hauled two paces-one In Commerce street
and the other IN Chestnut street. The former was
kept and requcnted ny the lower strata OF Newark
society and the latter by scions OF Newark's re-
spectability. Among the party arrested IN the
Chestnut street establishment were william Rutan.
of Ill Broad street; Edward NJ. Darlington, Of 9S4
Broad street; Thomas f. Barber, OF 80 Franklin
street; Or. Robert W. Clark, OF SO orchard streetl
Elias Downing, OF l.0l2 Broad street, and George r.
Baldwin, OF "a Court street-all members OF
NEwARK's BLUE. FLOODED BRIGADE.
When marched to the station house they swOre
vengeance the Sergeant ana first declared theiI
ability to prove the ilegallty Of their arrest. They
claimed that the place they were IN was private
club mousse, where they had perfect right to pray
or play cards, throw dice or drink beer on Sunday
morning or any other time. The law Is very direct
the point, however and entirely justified
the arrest, even II no affidavit nRd been
made Geca na ma he place
on Sunday nights as well as week nights all through
last summer Had the officer overstepped the law
in the slightest degree there Is no doubt That he
would have been proceeded against In q suit Their
arrest caused very considerable sensation. Efforts
were made TO have the names suppressed from pub
licatlon, but they crept into the HERALD Just the
same as did those OF gamblers who did not wear
and influential relations Then the gay CHANDELIERS
VOWED TO HAVE REVENGE,
the night OF the arrests the Sergeant had OCCASION
to halt ms men between eleven ana twelve ocIOcg,
near tne post once 10 give them nna Instructions:
stopped TO listen. They were ordered on, but one
OF them stopped ana was very lmpudent
to arrest him. SO ne did. The boy was kept all
night and let 20 In the morning After several
90 before The Mayor and make complaint against
tue Sergeant for illegally arrestlng his boy. An m
stated that the oficer had simply done his 0uty.
Four or five days alterward the Mayor
ana appointed another officer in his place. Bene.
dict appealed TO the Police Committee but before
one Of ms witnesses, or even himself. was called
the committee sustained the Mayor, who was pres.
ent. When the matter came up In Council Alder.
man Stalnsby took strong grounds In favor OF the
acion OF the committee aud Mayor was illegal.
The Mayor, he SAID had acted as Judge and Jury
dismissal was sought, not Tor arresting the boy.
but the Chestnut street gamblers. He was
supposed all along that the offence or the ofncer
consisted IN having arrested some very nice young
e y sa St OF re- very De
before, anu the speaker could not see whT he had
not been suspended before. Alderman Scott also
spoke ana referred to excellent reputation the
officer bore. ana thong EI the Mayor was liable to
censnre az the officer for not acting legally the
matter. The officer hau ten witnesses all or whom
cofr0Dorated his statement. On q vote being
taken the dismissal OF the Sergeant was
Is regarded as great triumph for the genteel
gamblers, and not even the Chief Of Police himself
would now dare lay his hand o respectfully con-
nected gamoler. on tins point, as well others
wearing similar phase. the whole force IS com.
pIeLeiy demoraZed and reduced to a practical
nonentty. AZ least half q dozen places were pulled
rT the Chestnut street descent, but not q word
OF objection was raised nor an effort made 70 sup
y nd anna