New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-02-23
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
HOW THE POLICE ARE DEMoRALIzED.


90 re EDITOR Of The Tribune.
C,p. On the 10th of last month the CAPTAINS
and one sergeant Of police from each precinct were
entered by Inspector George W. Dks to meet at Head
Quarters No 800 Mulberry ST. ut D. m. business of
,nportance On applying ,l.c Inspector question
ING could induce disclose the object OF the meet
inc. After we had assembled and seated in the
courtroom, awaiting the announcement. supposed,
at important instructions appertainng 10 the public wei
fare or the enforcement Of laws made 10 protect citizens
We were taken by surprise by the Inspector
snddenly rising from his seat and moving,
or purpose 81 organization that Capt Torne OF the
Twenty Precinct take the chair All those in favor
of the motion sigIfy by saying aye; contrary
rcd" Thorne Immediately took tho chair, when, on
the motion OF another person. Capt Garland was SINH
larry elected Secretary Again Dks arose, and in sub
said that this meeting had been called for the
purpose Of taking into consideration the proprety al
passing Of resolutions complimentary to our late
Commissioner. Matthew r. Brennan and to have them
cabomtey engrossed and presented TO him as token
Of and admiration and for the purpose OF
carrying the foregoing into effect he moved that Com
rittee Of five he appointed by the Chairman WIN
power. In support Of his motion, he SAID ual
brennan had been friend 10 the members Of
the force; that he had "many a time an"
oft" prevented the punishment by fines, &C. OF the
men, that he had increased the efficiency Of the Depart
nent added al guity the Commission, and bad reaeu
the members Of the force. from superintendent uo"n
with the utmost courtesy ana respect lie t"e'''''o
believed it TO be just and proper that we should pesen'
MI Brennan as we had previously presented Oo Li
Soncrs McMurray and Acton, with inciHorEtI eligs
atiCal OF our esteem and adHlItIoU ~ iS .alvtions
for g. say that, after such an enogy 5e ir of
were carried by the unanimous vote or the &uIItST
Mr. Brennan present After the resolutions , ~ ,oate
he Inspector remarked that the expense couid ne d
lg FOR rs if the captains would suggest I" Toe atru
~ III % co,t mo- rond do so lie. however partcu-
larry nprt ,ed upon the captains that they must not
ei SH r drpy Hal t6e late Conmison,r performed
tn frs act made the nIst suSssIV ~ 80 or
means Of increasing the chclebSA o. +h me comtrory
added dignity the Commission; but gu Tue cCl'
the police force. from the dy ne was s%t i ioIrr
menced is dcmorAzauon ana Couuuueu EuI npati
and Jecp.r into the Ijby pool of rum ana PONIES u
he left the Commission IL was ao 'u ~ toS ift
awahitng citizens Wheh ne ItSlSl., - ~ ,.st,rf
rcueau task the present commissioners 20 itS'oIC
If possible the d. parncut 70 its former uScnue ana
IN ency deny thlt Brennan friend OF the mem
beers of the force that he preyGuteu nT' o., 'ci
nrnt that an of the obnoxious rules pt>'e0
Is the CommS,iorefs during the aII,,>' 9, ="
n, 1atc superintendent were cOncocted 10y bttHi3u
,urI,u and Downing iu secret; were presented tc inc
il "a nor ,d ufon strongly advocated by Com
missioner Brennan The uiO'S pet measure was the
GtCus 5, i've Enhancement Of which the salaries Of
many OF the Uatromeu were reduced To Starvation pro
and moi until the pres OF this city began mnstSe
suy tones express it5 condemnation OF the dlsSacf
fIl system, dl e relax the severity OF his decisions III
il thar De was courteous to he members OF me
force excepting, Of course those who were members OF
tpc NJ. r.. b. Association know that nearly
ccants were treated with intentional dis,
courtesy and several Of them personally nsu'G4
10y Tie Tus~ues- o his conduct ana remarks 10 mem IL
J. true that called upon 70 deray the expenses
Of testimonial 90 COWm Murray on his retire
mcut. Tie W an efficient COMMISSIONS, tiaa gr.I.le
man; TOOK pleasure ia complying viii the Susges-
non mona t.'yt ''S'1 IT, o 800 . ri so-,icas
We believed. entitled him 10 some token ~ om regard
ana We '-.'oiit -. ~. 1,i,,, NJ, W., fo, uIo,
hv Inspector Dfs 10 give our money 10 DECAY the GX-
peu-,- 0f testimonial in the shape Of eugre-sed feso-
tons of coincidence, 10 the widow OF our iae supeI-
teudoH Ds WAS not satisfied WITH me eniose OF the