New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-02-18
TIE MASSACHUSETTS, STATE POLICE.

TIE MASSACHUSETTS STATE POLICE.
OPERATIONS AND EXPERIENCE OF TIE PAST
FIVE YFARS-PERPLRXING DUTIES OF TIE
CIIRP-AN INVESTIGATION BEGUN By
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE on CHARGES OF
CORRUPTION-THE PROBABLE RESULT.
Boston, Feb. 16.--A legislative wit says
that the Massachusetts General Court must have an in
vestigaton into some one of the departments or the
members will not 20 their homes With the proud con
scousness having done their duty In the absence Of
anything thrilling this year. the state Police have
20 the surface and investigation was begun TO-
day before the Committee that subject The State
Police has occupied peculiar position since IL was or
ganized five years ago Its main duty having been the
enforcement of the Prohibtory law There have always
been constant charges OfcOrrupOu against the member
but in comparatively few instances have rreguisr
ties been proven. There is much to he said In favor
OF the force which is not generally considered by those
denounce 1t so unreseryedly In the first place the
appointing power is invested in man. and he has TO
discharge the duties Of Chief Constable. The force has
varied from 80 10 Ghcir operations extending al
the State and II would seem though one man
yht easily make the appointments for small an or
ganlzatOn without much difficulty But the Applications
ar md for v,r. bs 90 bee 40 numerous that ii requires
about hall Of the time Of the chief constable TO attend to
applicants and their friends. The Cnlef also makes
countless encnies even among those who naturally
should be Ills friends In times past members Of the
Legislature have opposed his appropriation, ana voted
against the fore who would within three days ufge the
appO!n.racnt OF some one Of their constituents
Last the appropriation reduced more than nall
and the Chief Constable gave ont his notices 10 those
whom hc forced suspend Friday and Saturday
0f week In January. Tue friends Of these men began
20 pour into his house early tie morning Of the sunday
fDiOwing-each thinking 10 nd him alone on that day
and alter he had retired at 10 or II o'clock TIL
some rrand N a suspended deputy And this Is fair
example of the way he T. constantly hunted and bored
goodzed pricks IN his crown OF thOrns are
formed by tie constant deuuncatOnso OF MS iOroe IN
many of The newspapers, tire loud and deep curses or
those affected by the enforcement OF tie Liquor law te
dtnunpatiOns Of their friends and the animadyersiOns
oil the men the Phillips party. who swear that he dol
enforce the law ~ ALL Add u ths an investigation
nearly every Winter, in which his personal integrity -
frequently questioned hs oUtes az the heI OF ioIce
which does large general criminal business, ralds on
and you have FAIR idea % me pleasure tnere thht DC
in holding the position OF Constable VI the common
wealth OF Massachusetts ., 80,
one might almost u the deputy cOnsaD!es that one
who was found strictly honest deserved 20 he canonized
day and are undoubtedly offered from 80 10 IS week
by many hGuordcalers II they viii let them alone ana
NOT selze their lInors SOM dealers shu lnohly IN u
envelope the dcplty, house. i'm business cara m
closed rs the Only Indication Of the meaning OF tAe
"present." great many persons heleNe that hOt u
few OF the caputic. are constant brbed. But there =
surprising fact about this CRITICISM In many ooun-
ties the friends the force and even its enemies, aver
mat their druty or dcpRr- immaculate, but every
other dshoue Tie Significant act l. that this Ieof
cc. fr rearlv every county In tho State outside Of
suffolk and IcrLap. Mid4r-eX.
Last year The appropriation was little over sloUo
and an attempt was made tlls year 10 TsIuce u 10
peuses m April. with the hope That the force Nouu De
abolished by that uMe But the proposition Wa ne ne
indications arc thai the investigation viii not amount
much; bus # any corruption Il proven agilnst any OF
men OF the highest respectfully and standing, tht
will be promptly removed, and The Ilvesugatloh VIII
eue of the force has never been tain for more tna
six months at time, and H. operations have been on
4 as been useful may be seen by following table,
winch epitomizr, IT. work Tor I'VE years; s,-...