The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1871-03-30
State Police Corruptjons.

The revelations concerning the State
Folicc in Massachusetts, are more than
.justifying all that has been charged. The
Legislature has been driven to investigate
the matter by the complaints and specific
charges which have abounded We quote
the following from Boston letter to the
New York Herald, under date of the
23d-
1t is a notorious fact that here in Boston
there have never been any seizures of LIQUORS
at the leading hotels, while other dealers Of less
prominence have had their stock taken from
them repeatedly. The fact is also as generally
admitted, as it is every where apparent, that not
withstanding the existence of prohibitory Ii
quor law and the maintenance of a special force
of officers to enforce it, there are nevertheless
thousands of open bars all over the city. Now
it is claimed that these are allowed only so far
as the proprietors are willing to pay the State
constabulary for the constant violation of the
law, and special committee of the Legislature
is now engaged in investigating how far these
charges of bribery and corruption are true.
Before the investigation commenced, the Legis-
lature guaranteed protection to all who might
testify against the officers and under this shield
several liquor dealers and saloon keepers have
already come forward. and by their evidence
sustained the long-established suspicious of the
general rOttenneSS of the force, from the Chief
away down to the lowest deputy
| 1t has not thus far In the Investigation trans
pired that any very heavy brides have been
paid. The insignificance of the sums, howev-
er, shows just as well the general corruption
| which is complained of. Mrs Dowd, of New
York, whose husband di. only short time
since, and who peddled out little whiskey for
a scanty livelihood after coming to Boston, says
that one of the deputies, named Clapp, protect
ed her from the law for five dollars a month.
Richard I'll. Ycaton, a saloon keeper, on Sud-
bury street, secured protection from officer Da-
ly for single payment of ten dollars, and was
subsequently prosecuted by another officer be-
cause he would not pay him bride too c., w.
Carter, who was finally broken up in business
altogether by the demands of the officers, said
that he paid an officer named Mute at rate of
| about ten dollars month, and that he was
prosecuted after all. 1t also appeared that Off
GERS Smyth and Morse had an established fine
of five dollars for failing to observe any infringe
ment of the law on the part of dealer named
| Edward r. Pierce. Other brides of equal finall-
clal lnslgnl1cance were also shown, and the
liberal disbursement of cigars, drinks and din
ners was proved to be general custom.
| The investigation will probably occupy some
days, and at its conclusion an effort will be
made in the Legislature to have tie force abol-
ished. l understand, however, that if such a
bill should pass it would be vetoed by the Gov
ernor. An exposition of the corruption of the
force, though, will probably secure an entire
change in the department.
Rev. j. c. Lovejoy is the complainant in the
investigation, and he has for counsel Messrs.
A. b. Wentworth and J. E. Carpenter Major
Jones, the Chief of the force, is defended by
P. Emory Aldrch, of Worcester, and G. A.
Sowerby; and w. Mason appears for his &C.
cused deputies.