The New York herald., 1874-12-22
STREET CAR oUTRAGEs.
The Lives OF Citizens in Daily
Jeopardy.
AN INDIGNATION MEETING HELD.
Judge Joseph F. DAILY Demands Mounted Po.
lice for Madison Avenue.

Street car outrages are, unfortunately, be.
coming alarmtngly frequent, IN spite OF
the ''best police force In the world,n
as President MaIsel has proudly denom!-
mated it. They are now matters OF almost
daily occurrence, and a startling chapter might
might be written from the complaints which have
been received az this onice and which are freely
expressed everywhere, not only that the most
notorious thieves and pickpockets allowed
full sway in their operations but robbers, garro-
ters, roughs aud blacklegs enjoy now almost un-
stinted liberty to knock down ana MAIN their VIC
Tins, to insult women, TO throw men or the cars
when they are In their way, and. In fact, to do
Just as they please. In presenting these facts great
care has been used not to exaggerate or color
them. for the efrect which these disclosures must
have upon nervous and arrectionate daughters,
wives or sisters whose male relations and
bread-winners are generally late out at
night must needs be most painful and alarming,
and it would certainly be most cruel to them to
unnecessarily increase their apprehensions- But
the facts related below are true In every partlcu-
lar, and they reveal the laxity and rottenness OF
this beautiful police force in such signal manner
as to render their publication necessary.
AN EDIFYING RETROSPECT.
When as was the case yesterday, the most re.
spectacle residents OF populous part Of the city
come together ana calmly declare that their lives
are no longer protected by the police. that they
must arm themselves and patrol the streets II
they wished to reach their homes unmolested-
when 1t is no longer an unusual event to see rob-
bers enter car, brandishing aloit their pistols,
and alter they are overpowered and thrown OF
shoot into It after II has started again on its way
then the time has come indeed to ask whether
such things could exist II the police did
It's duty9 This question is now being asked BY the
people, who point to the fact that the discipline IN
the force Is lax, that policemen are constantly
seen standing together IN groups OF two or three,
chatting pleasantly and socially, while they ought
to be making their rounds and that 1t is conse-
quenty almost impossible to get policeman when
he Is wanted. Thus o state OF general alarm and
a universal feeling or insecurity have been created
which Is most injurious to the cause OF public
order. People say that they must go about with
their revolvers; and what are the consequences
OF this barbarous custom Is seen In such cases as
the death OF Captain Eoune. in Brooklyn. New
York, in one word, is now in one OF those panics
which 1T will take the greatest efforts or 'the best
police force in the world" TO overcome.
ONE OF THE CAUSES.
There is no doubt that some VI the dangers OF
our street cars are due to the shocking system Of
owding them, by which the thieves and
pickpockets eudc detection. II the cars-as is
invariably the case IN European countries-would
in every instance contain only as many persons
as can be comfortably seated, the thieves would
ind their operations rather more difficult than
they do now and II greater care were exercised
IN the selection OF conductors the charge that
they are in coluslon with roughs and pickpockeIs
and aid them in q covert manner would not be so
frequently made. In fact, the doings OF The con-
ductors come but too often under the category Of
''vutrages." 1t was but a short time ago that the
writer saw q conductor kick an old gentleman on
the platform because he had taken the liberty OF
pulling the strap when he (tGe conductor) had paid
no attention to his polite request to stop.
From among the many complaints about street
car outrages the following may DO instanced,
which was told by gentleman Of high repute but
who Is, unfortunately, still in such terror OF the
lawess bands that range the streets unhindered
that he declined TO authorize the publication OF
his name. The story was told In the most straight
forward, unnesltatlng manner; and subsequent
inquiry proved that 1t was true in every partlcu-
lar. in this instance 1T will be observed, no po-
liceman was attracted by the shooting, although
two OF the 'guardians Of the peace" were seen
strolling down Madison avenue engaged in . So
ciabc talk. THIS feature OF the case VIII not ne con-
remarked that the vicious habit OF talking on
street corners has completely mastered the police
force and overnorne all its ideas q yisllance ana
above tell MS story In his own words:-
STORY AS A SPECIMEN.
Madison avenue street car. The car was crowded
with ladies and gentlemen, who had evidently
Nothing unusual had occurred up to Forty.lourth
street aud Madison avenue; but as the car turned
three powerfully built men, who had the appear
ance OF street roughs, jumped suddenly upon the
violent scufile was going on upon the rear plat
lorm where the conductor WAS standing, and 1t
was manifest tnat the sconndrels were trying to
considerable comnotlon IN the car, some OF
the ladies crying out that there was ngnt
The conductor had meanwhile been pitched
OF the platform and the TWO other roughs darted
forward into the interior in the centre OF the car
young lady was standing who was IN company
with ner lather and motner They were seated,
while their daughter was standing. One OF the
men nung his arms violently round tnis young
lady. intending to graz her diamond earrings
beautiful solltaIres which must have been carat
weigh.J. The passengers were so taken by sur.
prise that for the first few seconds they seemed
almost paralyzed: AS soon as they had realized allied
ady's rescue, and alter brief but fierce struQgle
and with the assistance oi the conductor VINO had
meanwhile jumped again on the rear platform.
they overpowered the thieves aud threw them OF
RESPONSIBILITY OF THE POLICE.
III policeman had been near t1ey would have
given them IN charge but you know that the
alter waiting while, the car started again on its
way, most or the passengers being IN hurry TO
tser ades The young ady Who had BEEN al
most crushed IN the arms OF the powerful assai
an M mad ALREADY antsd ns AWAY rom the rgat;
did not dream or any interruption by the police,
began firing INTO 1t with their revolvers, and you
can imagine the effect that this new proceeding
created among the women, all OF whom were al
ready nearly frightened out OF their Wits. however,
as lucK would nave II, nobody was injured, and We
we're soon beyond tue reach OF their revolyers All
this, You must remember, had taken considerable
time, ana yet no policeman had appeared on the
scene. All the way from Forty-fourth TO Fiitieth
street no policeman could be seen; but as We
passed FiLIeth street we OF course, saw two
| poncemen together who were chatting pleasantly
and walking along IN the most leisurcly manner
possible. These worthless had not taken the slight
| est notice OF the shooting, although they must
! certainly have heard the shots, and tney seemed
! In no manner concerned about 1t.
AN APrEAL 70 THE HERALD.
'Now these outragcs have become so frequent
I that 1t has become dangerous matter to rlue on
| car In the upper portion oi the city, and
come to the HERALD TO see II IT cannot procure US
| rclici In all these cases Of outrage the police
are always beyond reach, anu n they can DO