The New York herald., 1875-08-21
THE POLICE COMMISSIONERS.
Strong Charges Preferred Against Mat
sell, VOOrhS and DiSbecker.
THE POSITION OF THE MAYOR
The Democratic Politicians Jubiant and
the Republicans Despondent


charges were TO be preferred the Mayor against three
OF the Police Commissioners yesterday borne out by
the arrival at the City Hall early in the forenoon, OF
MI John D. Townsend, the counsel TO the Legislative
Committee ON Crime who formally told Mr. Wickham
that he would during the course OF the day. prefer
charges in writing against Commissioners Masel, Dis
becker and Voorhs True to his word Mr.. Townsend
handed the charges the Mayor in the afternoon The
intelligence that they had been actually placed in the
Mayors hands did not create much
EXCITEMENT AMONG THE POLITICIANS
for the statement in the HERALD in the morning that
they be preferred added the full confirmation
given It by Mr. Townsend's first call upon the Mayor
had. in measure, prepared them for what was to follow
Tho democratic Aldermen quite jublant over the
news and seemed to consider that charges came
from the Counsel TO the Committee of the
Legislature Crime that fact alone would
give them additional weight with the Mayor
Still some OF them shrugged their shoulders and
marked that it was useless task to try TO get rid Of the
Commissioners because the Governor would
STAND IN MAYORS WAY,
rs he has thus far in the of the Fire Commission
The republican Aldermen pooh poohed the whole
thing as dodge on the part OF the democrats to
MatseL and Dsbecker into resignng, that Tammany
could do as she pleased with the appointment of the
election inspectors and control things suit election
day.
HERALD reporter called the Mayor shortly after
the charges were handed to him. He did not know ut
the time that the members of the press had already
ceived copies of hem and when reference made 10
them he simply contented himself with saying
WHAT THE MAYOR SAYS
81 have received document that purports n
tain charges against certain of the Police Commission
ers bat of have yet read them and so can
not tell what they really Al any rate shall not
give them for publication as in my opinion that would be
preudging the in the minds ofthe public before the
parties against whom the charges made have had
time 10 be heard in their behalf The charges,
whatever they may be, will receive due consideration"
SCARED.
1t is pretty certain that the friends of the accused
Commissioners considerably exercised the
alton OF affairs and Of the very first persons
call upon the Mayor after the charges had been handed
TO him was Commissioner Voorhis. He looked calm and
collected as he entered the Mayors Office and by
like who feared that his ofcial head was in dan
ger. Isaac H. Bailey President of the Commissioners
of Charities and Correction, also dropped after
Mr. Voorhis. The latter remained with the Mayor for
upward of hour, but what the conference if there
any conference, about, did not transpire.
All during the afternoon the chief theme of discus
sion among the small fry politicians in the corridors OF
the Hall the probable removal Of the three Comms
siOners The general impression in political circles last
evening seemed to be that their fate is sealed.
CHARGES AGAINST THE POLICE COMMISSIONERS.
To Hon. WILLIAM H. WIcKHAM Mayor of the City Of
New York -
sR-The people of this city are entitled to police
force that is competent and willing to protect their in
terests While II may be conceded that a class the
rank and file Of the patrolmen and inferior officers of
the Police Department of this city are equal in character
and competency TO any police force in this country, yet
recent developments have fully shown that it is so mis-
governed as to render it utterly inefficient for the
lection of persons and property and useless for the
vention and detection of crime.
1t has appeared beyond peradventure, that utterly
neglectfu of the lawful demands made them the
protection of citizens blind to the glarng msdeeds of
many members Of the police force careless OF the repu
of the officers placed under their charge partial
and unjust administering the rules for the guidance
of the force ignorant disobedent the law in max
ing and constituting such rules and regulations, bcker
ing and quarreling among themselves and apparently
without respect for themselves or each other the pres
ent Commissioners OF the Municipal Police OF the city
of New York have given TO the inhabitants OF this city
Just and full for apprehension of their personal
safety and the security OF property have brought con-
tempt and ridicule upon the Police Department
both at home and elsewhere. To one member of the
Commission General W. f. Smith, IL would be unfair 10
apply these charges His distinguished character
soldier and citizen the comparatively short time he has
been member Of the Police Commission and his plainly
evident dstaste of his associates and their acts but
Gently illustrated justly relieves him from the imputa
tons To the end that action may be taken toward the
removal of the present Board of Police Commissioners
make the following charges
II Is the duty of the Police Commissioners TO make
rules and regulations for the guidance and government
the existing laws of the State and ordinances of the city
of New York. The present rules and regulations,
published and announced by said Police Board
in conformity and in certain important instances
contrary TO the State laws of 1873
SPECIFICATION That in an examination and public
discussion had the 10th day Of june 1876 before the
Assembly Committee for Investigation Of Causes of Crime
in the City of New York. George W. Matse the President
OF said Board elected by majority thereof has shown
ignorance both of the State laws directly bearing upon
the Municipal Police force and of the existing rules and
regulations of the Police Board and was unable to ex-
nj eros
laws and said police rules and regulations and by way
of excuse for such discrepancies said that his Board
cannot do everything in such a short time, meaning
period of since the passage OF the char
ter of 1873 period of about year since said
Matscl had occupied the position Of President of said
Municipal Police Board
Specification 2-That said Matse, such President,
could not give any idea or opinion as to the require
mens OF the police force either as regardst its quality or
Its number beyond readiness to engage in experiments
of one kind or another by way Of trial.
Specification 3-Contrary to the provisions OF section
a OF article of chapter 335 of the Laws of 1873 said
Board have allowed forms of alidavits to remain in
practice whereby the requirements Of the law are not
enforced.
Specification 4-Rules to prevent the undue detention
OF prisoners have not been passed by the Board
trary 10 section 81 of the same act
CHARGE Two
The Police Commissioners are intrusted by law with
the appointment direction and control OF the members
of the Municipal Police force. In order discharge
this high trust the Police Commissioners should possess
such moral character would elevate them above vice
and crime and enable them 20 create respect in the force
under their command. Said Matsel is devoid of such
moral capacity and with knowledge of his character
said Police Board have elected him their President
Specification 1-Durng period of years he has been
the editor of of the most immoral periodicals pub
lshed in the country sheet catering TO the taste for
vice and crime
Specification 2-That the said Matsell while Supern-
tendent of Police with utter disregard of law and
ais conspired with one Hugh Gardner, then Commis-
sioner Of the police force Of this city, and
other members Of the department at present
IN the department, for the purpose Of inJurng and
degrading police captain then and on the police
force OF this city, and in pursuance of such conspiracy
induced and caused Teresa Clifton then child Of
about twelve years OF age to make affidavit in his pres
cnce and in his private room, in which affidavit she
was made TO charge said police captain, TO wit Edward
Walsh, with having seduced her.
Specification 3.-Whe Captain Edward Walsh was in
command oil the police boat said Matsell Police
commissioner, caused him TO be removed from his said
post or command on several occasions between the
months OF April and November 1873 contrary law,
without the consent q the Police Board any formal
order OF SAID Board and without any whatsoever
except that said Matsell disked sad Captain and did
not WISH " meet him Whom iakng a sail said nnlca