The New York herald., 1873-10-23
EFT TIV ES.
How and Where They Are EN-
ployed and Amused.
A TELL-TALE LIS Il.

There is perhaps no subject in which the genera
public is so deeply interested and OF which 1t ls
at the same time SO lamentably innocent as the
detective system. Ordinary minds picture this rep
resentative OF the thief taking fraternity as
man OF deep and penetrative character, given to
sly and stealthy ways. He Is supposed to lurk in
dark, mysterious corners and TO be always on the
alert for the evil doer. He is endowed in the i'm
aglnation OF the multitude with vast and
varied knowledge OF the moral construction OF
other men and looked up to with awe and dread
as person OF very superior qualifications.
No doubt, according to the popular
theory, before humanity was invented the de-
tective had very line time OF 1t. AS 1t is he by
no means answers the general demand at all
times, and people are staggered in their shoes
very frequently by the sudden discovery OF tho
kind OF man he is. The vulgar and miscellaneous
intellect Is prone to look up to authority No mat
ter how nimsily or feebly the baton of power be
swayed, 1t Is recognized as the emblem OF societys
strength. The commonest policeman becomes
parsonage the moment he puts on the uniform and
Is cuddled and caressed by the inhabitants OF the
locality he honOrs by his appearance In manner
never extended to the ordinary mortal.
COFFEE AND CAKES,
cigars and wines are literally rendered MIN free
OF cost and he not unirequently fails in Tor little
sweetnesses in the shape OF greenbacks that are
always welcome to his soul. II, taen, the ordinary
admiration, what must be the feelings tnat surge
and roll beneath a citizens waistcoat when ne
comes into the presence of detective The sub
ject IS too profound Tor the ordinary dssector OF
mental matters; a thousand fathoms Of line would
never get to the bottom, and there besides, SO
many channels OF descent made by the various
shades OF feeling standing forward at the entrance.
one becomes lost at the very outset. prooa6y
bosom for the mastery, generosity, tngcd with
touch OF Cancellation, breaks FORTH and, standing
on the trembling and doubtful tongue OF the man
oil the people, demands,
'wHAT WILL YOU TAKE?n
The officer may condescend to take drink or he
may take good dinner Just at the moment.
Things tnat are too heavy for his hands or name,
he will leave behind with a great deal Of care.
Many circumstances combine to produce this ef-
feet, the first, OF course, OF which Is his position.
Then his dress and appearance, the patronzing
fed manner, the result OF being constantly looked
TO in the vulgar circles where he oftener found,
mond looks bigger than that OF any other man. HIS
new coat seems newer and better brushed.
asoD ms boots hs Are brighter tie and Of mos
more modern than that OF any one else as to color,
and fastened with faultlessness never arrived at
outside the force. His linen is unapproachable,
for in that department he has prOlessed to an inn
maculateness Of whiteness almost dazzling to the
vulgar eve. Then he is never creased, or tossed,
or tumbed, but is always sleek and smooth and
pleasant to contemplate. TO the faded senses OF
tong man ne presents refreshing picture. and nd
he knows It, for the study OF his decoration Is his
most constant employment
Man needs but little here below
is q phrase not copied into his vocabulary. The
detective thinks he needs all he can get, and for
wanting that little long, he thinks he wants 1t just
long as he can keep his hands shut upon 1T, and
that IS long time as general thing. is nrst
that he may have good chances opened up
TO HIM. aud, once in, the oppor5uni,ies ,ie,;
he spends his time in the search of criminals III tue
DARK DENS AND HUMID HAuNTS
Of thieves in the city are very much mistaken lie
more affects the broad and populous uhoroughares,
where beauty and fashion show themselves to ad-
vantage and rich attire may pc shown ana oeneid,
where there is much to admire and httle TO 10.
He has not entered the detective police for the
puoc veal, as is the general and erroneous sup
position, but Tor MS own good, and that he Is going
to pursue alter his own method
There are at present twenty men detailed
for duty at the detective office. Not three Of the
twenty seven have been appointed there fitness
or adaptablty 10 their positions or their duties.
analifled or more incompetent body of men could
not be selected Tor such service. Some OF them
know absolutely nothing about police duty, never
having served officers in the department.,
but were literally taken from the street and
detailed TO the detective office. 1t is no or course,
the officers ault that when they get positions they
rely upon their relations and friends 10 keep them
there 1t is due to the system. The effect OF this Is
terribly demoraliZing in the department, but no
steps have ever been taken to check tnat nnu-
ence. Certain routine duty is supposed to be gone
through IN the bureau every day; but 1t is the
MEREST GHOST OF A SEMBLANCE.
The roll is called by the captain every morning at
nine O'Clock. Some OF the men present them
selves; many pay no attention TO the TACT that
they ought to be there OF those who condcscend
to grace the office with their appearance four are
selected for duty in Wall street and the neighbor
hood. Two are sent to Broadway; two TO
either side Of the city. Two are retained
ior official service, and the remainder are given
twenty-our hours. Trivial cases, promising no
substantial return, are naturally buried. And
where good reward Is offered there q regular
scrambng place. No such thing as classification
exists. Every man stands on the influence he can
bring to bear. NO one is on his merit. Instead Of
being o place to which men who had done well In
other branches OF the department could be pro-
noted the detective Office is the
LoUNGING PLACE or POLITICAL PETS.
or course there are good, hard working, COM
petent officers there, but they are so overwhelmed
In influence by the useless ones that their services
are lost to the public. Some six months before
the going out OF office OF the o.d Board, Commis-
sloner Barr introduced a resolution asking that
the detectives he ordered TO make annual reports
to tue Board Of the number OF arrests made by
thenl and the convictions obtained on these ar
rests The following is summary OF these reports
as presented at the timc:--
Captain irving ,....... IL Detective Diks ........ :
Dcle v