New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-03-08
silent Partners with Thieves,

a new York correspondent of the Rochee-
ter Chronicle, writing of the police of New
York city, describes the manner in which
the detectives ''work up jobs" and share
with thieves in the proceeds of robberies.
The whole detective system is but degree
removed from legalized robbery or extor-.
| ton:
In addition to the regular police force IL
| that special class known as professional de-
| tectlves. These men are entirely distinct
| from the former. They wear neither badge
| nor uniform, and hence only appear as pri-
vate citizens. They are generally mild and
gentlemanly in their manners and address.
and they differ from the ordinary rounds
man just as the bloodhound differs
from the bulldog. They adroitly get
on the track of the counterfeiter
and burglar, and they watch their
victim with q scrutiny which is never
relaxed. A successful detective must have
| personal acquaintance with the thieving
fraternity; and as a general thing these
classes are not only acquainted, but are on
pretty good terms. The detective declines
to take hold of small work. He ia waiting
for bank robberies, heavy hauls by sneak
thieves, and other jobs which bring a large
reward. When these occur he gives chase.
The thief knows that such men are after
him, and hence he generally aims at an i'm
mediate compromise. Let us suppose that
bank is cracked and $4,000 worth of
bonds are taken. 1t ia reasonable that
reward of $4,000 will be offered for the
recovery of the money. The thief may
open communication with the deteo-
tive and offer to return two-thirds of the
plumber, providing he he secured from
arrest. lie may even offer to return the
whole If part of the reward be given him.
The detectives will propose to the victims
settlement, and the result will be that the
thieves and the officers will each get hand.
some slice and the latter will bid the for.
mer success in their job. Hence, it is very
seldom that any persons are convicted for
the commission of heavy burgiaries To do
this would spoil tho detectives business.
First class detectives and first class burglars
often work in harmony, and thus divide
handsome profits. If the latter prefer to
take their chances Of escaping, and hence
refuse an arrangement" the detective will
place himself Oh his track in hope of the re-
ward, and. however adroit may be the move
ments of the thief, he will be caught at last
AS a general thing, New York detective will
never arrest thief as long as he can make
anything ont of him. Another use which
detectives serve is watching suspected per-
sons. This is done by " Swallowing" them,
that is, following az closely as ones own
shadow. 1t merchant suspects clerk,
or If woman suspects her husband, the de-
tective will be called in. Men are often
Swallowed" here when they little suspect it;
and, when they little dream of such IA reve-
lation they find secret deeds published to
the world. Our leading detectives have
books in which are recorded the names of
those whom they have "shadowed," and
should these books be published there
would be no little surprise and confusion in
our banks, and even our Fifth avenue
palaces. Harry Lyon is one of the best
detectives in this city, and is said to
know more than 1900 thieves and bad
characters. If so, he lives in good com
pany. small tax on each of these would
make a rich income, and, hence the detec-
tives will never DO too severe in their pur-
suit of the light-fngered fraternity.