Middletown transcript., 1874-05-23
The Washington Burglary"

as bad as that Of the Police Court, which
has become infamous throughout the coun-
try for extortisn and oppression. The law
links them together, and the ineumbents
are bound by the close ties Of common in
terest, instinct. and sympathies.
George P Fisher, the District Attor-
ney, has. when not under the influence of
liquor, united to his legal functions those
of jobber under the Ring by contracts
and other smoluments which have served
to make him willing instrument in their
service at the expense of the community.
He has presided over these mongrel con-
ventions, made partisan speeches, and
obeyed the orders of the Boss without
question.
The criminal branch of that Office has
been turned over to certain Richard Har-
rington, who went to Washington q few
years ago as an adventurer without green
bag, who is wholly ignorant of law, and
does not rank above the throng Of shysters
that invest our police courts. Socially his
standing is that Of a vulgar blustercr,
quite in keeping with that of his asso-
ciates.
1t was Of the first Importance to the
Ring to secure all the events leading to
the Criminal Court and to have the police
under their subsection. Both objects have
been accomplished, and by means of this
pernicious influence they have exercised
terrorism over the reputation and property
of taxpayers, who have shown the least
disposition to resist their extortions.
This fellow Harrington was made Sec
retary of the District Government under
Shepherd. While holding the other place,
and in addition to these two Offices, he is
now acting as one of the Ring counsel be-
fore the investigating committee. These
facts will serve as an introduction to one
of the most diabolica schemes ever at
tempted by any civilized community, and
bring out into still bolder relief the utter
ly desperate character of the robbers, who,
under the favor of the President, have
bankrupted the District of Columbia.
About three weeks ago Harrington pre-
tended to have received an anonymous
letter from New York stating that his safe
was to be forced open to obtain certain pa
pcrs which it protected. This information
was professedly given BY betrayed con-
federate. The letter was shown to the
Chief of Police, and they arranged togeth-
er the programme for the night of the 23d
of April, when the burglary" was to come
off.
1t so happens that Police Headquarters
almost adjoin the District Attorneys of
fee Near midnight Harrington, the
Chief of Police, Thomas Shepherd, broth
er of the Boss; A. B. Williams, hanger
on about the Police Court; and three de-
tectives, appeared on the grousd. The
last three were stationed in the rear OF
the premises, and the others stood oppo-
site the building at distance.
Two men entered not long after, raised
the front window, closed the blinds, and
proceeded to work They were distinctly
heard forcing the safe, and Richards, the
Chief of Police. desired to enter and ar
rest them in the act But Harrington OBJ
jected that it would not carry out his plans
After time violent explosion was heard
which shattered the windows and opened
the safe. When an hour had elapsed the
two men were seen to leave the building
one carrying bag They took different
directions, and in spite of all the alarm,
one of them walked quietly off.
The other went on as if nothing had
happened, and even inquired from one OF
these watchers his way to L street. 1t is
stated that he was not only shown the
street, but conducted to the door of Mr.
Columbus Alexander, one of the memo
rialsts most active in pursuit Of the Ring
a large property holder, and a well-Enown
citizen of Washington. The burglar
rang the bell of the entrance door and that
of the area violently without any response
AT that point Richards arrested him. -
When called before the police next day
he waived hearing, refused the aid O.
counsel, and went to Jail in default of bail
The Ring organs were all slenced after
the first slight allusion to the affair, and
no mention of it has since been made BY
them in any way.
The material facts are derived from the
reports of the Chief of Police, who excus
es his own omission of duty by pleading
that it was the District Attorneys office
and that Harrington personally directed
the operations of that night, aided by hi,
own chosen friends. He prevented tn,
arrest and permitted the escape of one o
the parties.
The effort to suppress this mystery by
the press and the failure to investigate i
thoroughly provoked suspicion, which wa
intensified by the knowledge that Mr.
Alexander had been previously approach
ed by unknown persons, suggesting tha
important papers could be procured in al
irregular way. He of course gave then
no countenance. Harrington, Sho ha,
been very noisy before the committee, sud
denly skunk away and barely showed him
self to keep up appearance.
The almost universal belief at Washing
ton is that this shocking scheme was con
cocted by the Ring in order to entrap Mr.
Alexander, connect his name with a pre-
pared burglary" indict him as con
fsderate, and thus produce reaction o
gaipst the memorialists. The nlan ev;