The New York herald., 1871-03-25
POLICE CORRUPTION IN MASSACHUSETTS.
How the State Constabulary Enforcs the Laws
Wholesale Charges Of Corruption and
Bribery-Ths Revelations Of Q
Legislative Investigation.

BOSTON, March g. 1871.
The community heroabouts is just now exercised
over the present and prospective showing up of the
corruption which Is alleged to have so long existed
In tnat generously abused organization she State
constabulary. For the past three four years the
public surface In all sections OF the State has been
pentuly supplied with stories winch have all gone
TO show the department to be scarcely less cor
rupt than the old city police force of
Boston during the reign Of the now dethroned
Colonel Kurtz. The constabulary was constituted
Andrew, and has been fostered ever since by the
successive administrations Of Governor Bullock and
Governor Clanin Its special mission was to enforce
the prohibitory liquor law, suppressinouses OF H.
fame, gambling nells ana other public nuisances
which It was claimed existed In too great prOfusion
to be guarded Dy the police forces OF the differ
ent cities and towns throughout the State. The
force, as rst organized and since continued, con-
sisted of q chief and host Of deputies, all Of them
having authority to make arrests wherever and
whenever an Infringement Of any criminal law was
discovered.
1t would be wrong to say that these onacers have
not manifested more or less activity In performing
the duties expected Of them. 1t would also be
wrong to say that they have performed these duties
either thoroughly or impartialy for they have done
neither. They have made great many seizures Of
liquors and prosecuted great many Dealers but 1t
is an unmistakabe fact that in doing this they
have discrlminated upon whom the penalties of the
law should fall This Is also true concerning keepers
OF houses OF ill-fame assignation houses and gam
bling saloons, ana the general rumors have been
to the effect that those who were proceeded against
were only those who failed to see the proprlety OF
financially brbing these officers sworn to faithfully
and impartially execute the law.
1t is q notorious fact that here IN Boston there
have never been any seizures OF liquors at the lead
ing hotels, while other dealers OF less prominence
rnn q
The fact Is also as generally admitted as is every
where apparent that notwiths tanding the existence
q special force OF officers enforce It, there
nevertheless thousands Of open bars all over the
pay the State constaoulary for the CONSTANT
Legislature is now engaged in investigating how
far these charges OF bribery and corruption are
true Before the investigation commenced the
testify against the officers, and under this shield
several liquor dealers and saloon Keepers have
tanned the longesablished suspicious of the general
rottenness OF the force. from the Chief away down
1t has not thus far in the investigation transpred
that any very heavy bribes have been paid. The In
SIGNIFICANCE Of the sums, however, shows just as
well the general corruption which Is complained of.
Mrs Dowd, Of New York, whose husband died
only short time SINCE and who peddled out little
whiskey Tor a scanty livelihood after coming to
Boston, said that OF the deputies, named Capp,
protected her from the law for five dollars month.
u
street, secured protection from officer Daily for o
single payment OF ten dollars, and was subsequently
pay him bribe 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, ana that he
was prosecuted after all 1t also appeared that
oficers Smyth and Morse had established fine OF
five dollars for falling to observe any infringement
OF the law on the part OF dealer named Edward r.
Pierce. 0tner bribes OF equal financial insight
dcance were also shown, and the liberal disburse-
ment OF CIGARS drinks and dinners was proved to be
general custom.
The investigation will probably occupy some DAYS,
and at its conclusion an effort VIII be made IN the
Legislature to have the form abolished. l under
stand, however, that If such bill should pass 1t
the corruption OF the force, though. viii probably
secure an entire change In the department..
Rev. }. Z. Lovejoy is the complainant in the nves-
ttgaon, end he has for counsel Messrs. A. B. Went
worth and j. E. Carpenter. Major Jones, the Chief
OF the force, is defended by p. Emory Aldrich, of
Worcester, and G. A. Sowerby; and W. s. Mason
appears for his accused deputies "a