The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-04-23

Case-Seatemcnt Of Ex-Omcer Matthias.
This case, 1t Will be remembered. was tried IN the
Court OF General Sessions few days since. and was
ended by sentence being suspended. Onicer Mat
tnias on his own behalf makes the following state
ment:-
In order to get at the facts and foundation OF this
therefore, prepared the following statement, which
Is correct IN every PARTICULAR
This trouble was nrst commenced by Roundsman
Nash while under MIN on his platoon. On the
morning or the 23d OF December, while on
post, j accidentally caught him coming out OF
newspaper in his hand. On meeting him saluted
HIM as usual. but he made no answer. which |
minutes later, when ne accused me OF not being
found on post when told him that nad Just seen
him at the Tribune ONCE He then accused me
10 prove lsSS that II Was not I' From vas this
expected he would report me, but there was
had always been on good terms, and from this oc-
currence he commenced prosecuting me IN the worst
a fair charge against me ne made a false one
against me- ] at once applied TO the captain
for ansfer ,oS on to m, Meey
same same. way as he did me- Melley commenced on me
against On the trial OF these charges had four
good witnesses on each charge TO prove clearly, as
six days pay on these two charges. saw the cap
tam. told him how things were going against me;
that It would ,, be DANGEROUS S,; Tor me 70
by Melley to do my duty, and that one more charge
would break me. according to late general ORDER
to that effect. The captain at once realized my sit.
nation, and placed me on certain stationary posts.
where these roundsmen could not do me much
passs wa asan subjected kept 70 t Hn %er
cies Of Melley ana was made victim to
another false charge. which was the breaking
one. was at this time being driven to desperation,
knowing, as did. that was being unIustly perse
cuted. and without any show OF justice from the
commissioners. NY case seemed to ne hopeless.
tried to think Of some legal means snow that
these charges brought against me were false as my
record 1t Headquarters stood good Soon after this
for an immediate transfer from the precinct to get
from under this man. was at the same time get
ting leave OF absence whenever possible and report
Ing sick from the abuse OF this rOundsman. all 10
avoii him, II possible ] again reported for duty,
ana anxlously waited days without success FOR
this transfer. The roundsman was pressing me
hard all tins time. He seemed not to be satisfied
with having this breaking charge but he must
continue p1ling false charges against me before
would be tried on this supposed breaking charge.
On the morning OF the Esd OF February The day or
from six to eight O'Clock. Near relieving time on
the corner OF Pearl street, met an ex-policeman
roundsman Nelly was ut the corner of New Bowery
talking to an old man. | knew could not talk
but minute or Two. Keeping my eye up the
street, we exchanged but a very few words, when
saw the roundsman coming down Chatham street,
We at once parted. My friend went his way, and
went mine. Meeting the ronndsman, he asked me
what was the matter with that man was taking
to on the corner. | said there was nothing the mat
ter with him.. He said. "fou were talking too
long" asked him how much too long, He said
'YOu were talking too long," repeating 1t as he
walked away. l knew at once he would make a
charge, and say l was talking ten fifteen mn
ntes. 1t being relieving time went Into the sta
ton house, and, TO avoid further trouble, l
got sheet OF paper and made out an application to
the captain Tor a leave Of absence OF two and half
days from that night, which would extend to my
trial day. Thinking as did, If could steer clear
of this roundsman one more tour OF duty that my
trial day would know how things were
at one O'Clock, in oliver street. | Kept
constantly travelling until about three O'Clock.
Oliver Streets and on taking look around saw the
rOundsnan coming up Oliver, above Oak street. L
thought would not move or, as had ON other &C.
caslons but walt until be would come up and ask
HIM about the charge he accused me Of In the morn
ing. Meeting him on the corner he gave me a con.
temptuous look and asked me II all was
unusual question. which he always asked
when about to make out charge, asked him II
he he. was s,, LOOKING ior another charge then
ing He said he had 1t on his book. l asked him
how much time ne had made 1t. He replied, II
me
secution, drove me to madness--my anger knew no
bounds. Trying 70 look him full in the face which
he avoided, and asking him II he did not think he
his reply was, "a am not carrying things any
further with you than with any one else.n
told him he was. feeling OF revenge
struck him with the stick that was put into my
hands to defend myself with as last resort. Be.
sioners refused to defend me, looked upon myself
as without protection. was at the mercy OF this
man. To appeal to the Commissioners for redress
and to allow this man to be robbing me of nv earn
coward OF me. THOMAS MATTHIAS. "