The New York herald., 1875-10-16
rLAcrs og l susrIclous cnAnAcrra.


II not made lawful by section Al OF chapter 4O5 q
the Laws or 1854 for the superintendent Of the Police
upon such report % authorize, 10 writing any member
or members OF the force 20 enter such promises, VINO
may forthwith, arrest those found offending against
law ~ is only upon reports where y =
stated there are good grounds for believing
ANA xhare epch Ornunle are eet forth therein
that the premises used for the purposes
specified N the statute, that the superintendent can
authorize IN writing the members Of the police force 70
enter such premises and arrest as ~ the statute
directed. The statutory prerequisites cannot De "
nored by the police force they have been by your
informant Before the rigorous proceedings autnor
tied BY the statute be taken the strctest observ
anoe q the statutory prerequisites are ndispensape
have never yet heard of case-certainy none has
been reported 70 me-where the superintendent has
tailed 70 give the statutory authorization upon the pre-
sentaton to him Of fprooaole grounds Tor action
A QuIBRLR
In addition the several charges and specifications
above set forth you have, your personal" commu
ncation the authority you state Of the testimony
adduced before the Committee OF Assembly now hold
ing It's sessions IN this city framed tor tho oonsidera
ton the Board OF Police the general charge against
il "o ncompetcney and unfness your Board IS now
organized g perform the duties 70 which you are as
signed" The Board Il organized by the election OF
president aud treasurer and how or n what particular
such organization renders the Board unit " perform
the duties assigned 70 y you 40 not explain wheh
you do 50 shall be prepared TO meet your speclhca-
tion. What you alegc on the authority Of this same
testimony as to gambling houses policy shops, panel
houses aud resorts OF all kinds of vice and vicious per-
sons is IN each and every particular without ounda
tion. That gambling houses and panel houses exist
throughout this city to an alarming extent and with
astonishing notoriety, is reckless assertion entirely
untrue Such houses do not this city
and you, to-day, cannot point out to the police
a house IN which public gambling is carried
on or where panel thets perpetratcd. No doubt
many of the liquor the city resorts of vice
ana vicious persons. Several Of these places have
strong political influence being the political headquar
ters OF many local associations Unfortunately, there
IS no law which authorizes the police to deal with such
places when properly licensed and when they Keep the
peace. The statute OF 1879 known as the Habtual
Criminals act, was not passed for the purpose
does IL confer the powers which you
state. III VIII take the trouble to
read the statute TOR yourself you win that
its provisions In no ono particular warrant tile state
ment which you make in reference 10 IT, Against policy
shops perpetual warfare Is carried on by the police
Arrests Inuumerabe made but few OF the parties
arrested are held by the magistrates
With reference TO what you state to the charge
against and trials OF Captains Williams, Van Dusen
McCuoch, Kiea and others, it is sufficient for me to
say that my Judgment in each OF these cases shall be
warranted by the testimony, The trias-those con-
cuded and those now IN progresshave been under the
charge Of the counsel to the Board and they have been
conducted with due regard 70 the interests Of The ac
cused and the public.
FOR TIM EFFICIENCY or rHE POLICE,
''as at present constituted have this further to
statc-that comparison with the statistics Of crime
IN other citiesln Europe and In this country (a of
which file at the Central 0iice)-New York
stands favorable comparison with each and ALL thus
testityng by ncontroverble evidence that police
force efficient in the discharge Of its duties any
existing in any CITY in Europe or America With such
information at your command, II Is with something
more than regret ! feel that you, the Chief
Magistrate OF the city, have so far forgot
your position to lend your aid to such unfounded as
sertons with reference to the police force have been
promulgated by and through you.
But, since you have made now these charges, chal-
lenge you to the proof / challenge you 10 specify
single act Of inenciency on my part as Commissioner
Of Police, single instance in which have failed
to attend TO, and properly discharge, the
duties of my Office. Bring my accusers be-
fore you hear their evidence and then hear
mine in defence Not until such hearing should iudg-
ment be given ! am prepared, at any time, day and
hour to meet you al such place as you may designate
that may be heard the law provides Respectfully
yours, ABRAHAM DISBECKER,
Commissioner OF Polica