New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-06-21
CHARGES OF POLICE CORRUPTION.

SUPERINTENDENT wALIISG TO INVESTIGATE THE
ALLEGATIONS MADE BEFORE THE SELECT COM
MITTEE OF THE ASSEMBLY.
There was considerable excitement in police
circles yesterday caused by the proceedings OF the Police
Commissioners on Saturday At the meeting that day
resolutions were offered by Commissioner Voorhs,
calling upon the superintendent to investigate the cir
cumstances and allegations made by W. A Martinez be-
fore the Committee of the Assembly of which the
Hon. T. c. Campbell is Chairman, and which is in session
In this city, Martinez has been member OF the police
force OF this city, He testified among other things, be
fore the Assembly Committee that Capt Henry Burden,
while In command Of the Twenty -nnth Precinct know
ingy permitted various Illegal and disrcputabe houses
and establishments TO be carried on in his precinct in
violation OF the rules Of the Police Department Also
that this permission various OF money were paid
to and received by Capt Burden Commissioner WORMS
also offered resolution that the Superintendent should lay
acopy his Investigations before the Police Commission
ers in his opinion the testimony should be such as
to warrant the preerent Of charges IN such case the
ndent should prefer charges against Capt Bur-
den any other officer who might appear TO have been
guilty OF violating the rules Of the Police Department
Commissioners Smith inquired whether Capt Burden bad
sent any communication TO the Board asking for in
vestgation President Matse answered that he had not
Commissioner Smith then said that there had been ample
time the publication Of the statement referred TO for
Capt Burden TO have demanded investigation. He did
not see what use there was the Superintendent TO
make investigation. He was in favor of investiga
ton allegations against the captain by the Board
OF Police Commissioners
Commissioner Disbeckcr said that he was in favor OF
the resolutions offered by Commissioner Voorls, but
believed that they did not embrace enough In his opn
ion the investigation shoud be extended the acts OF
other captains and the scope should be enlarged 80 as to
take in the Whole Department He added that the news
Tupt practices on the part Of the members OF the Police
Department and he believed that the time had arrived
fura
Commissioner voorhis said that the testimony before
the committee had implicated only Capt. Burden
He favored investigation by the Superintendent TO
give that officer opportunity To ascertain whether
Trustworthy testimony can he obtained substa tate
the charges when preferred. He had had enough, he
parte statements without first avn obtained testimony
TO support them Even If persons innocent and are
acquitted prefement Of scrion charges casts stigma
upon them II the investigation should be left To- the
Board. proposed by Commissioner Smith nobody
would attend TO it, The passage of the resolutions would
give the Superintendent opportunity TO let the
matter die out he would be required TO ollect the
testimony and II, In bis opinion the evidence warrant
ed il, the charges would be preferred. II not the testi
mOny would be presented TO the Board for It's coDsdera
Commissioner Dshecker reiterated his statement
that the time had come for general investigation OF the
CORRUPT Eses s the apa ne Sna @
tended TO offer as an amendment resolution calling for
a general inquiry but This did meet tine view OF
the Commissioner differing the resolutions, he would at
future time present original resolution covering that
ground While he did not charge Capt Burden or any
other member OF the Department witt corrupt practices
he bele ed that the matter required full and search
ing mNcsllgdtlOu bnItu nc Dc
eved that the best TO prepare charges and
specifications against Capt Burden ON the statement
had appeared In the newspapers No stigma could
upOn the accused IL the charges proved. He
believed that Capt Burden, in not coming forward and
asking for investigation, after he the charges
against him published in the newspapers, casting
Stigma upon himself lie wished 10 have justice done In
every case and believed thai this could be reached
no other way than by public trial AS he understood
the law under which the Police Department cOnst
tuted Board did possess the power to hold court
Of inquiry lie therefore believed that Capt. Burden
should be placed tral at once vote was taken on
the
his aud they ialopted.
Commssioner Dsbecker then gave notice that at the
next meeting of the Board he should present resol
lion providing for general inquiry into the conduct and
prscic OF all the captains, or other members Of the
made, either through the newspapers any other
source John Townscnd, counsel for the Select Com
uit,ee OF the Assembly asked permission Of the Board
10 examine the pspers connected with the charges that
have been preferred against Cspts Williams hcCullagh,