The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-03-12


We print this morning r<sum< of the way
our police and police courts trample upon the
rights of the citizen, together with picture of
the cruelty and neglect manifested in the pub
lie institutions of the city. No subject could
be more important. Judge Hammers con-
duct in the Stockvis case shows that the Grim
inal law is administered without any regard to
justice. At every stage of that case a reck-
lessness is exhibited that is not only astound-
ing but criminal. According to his own tes-
timony at the Coroners inquest testimony
as remarkable in its way as any ever given by
judge in regard to judicial proceeding-he
could not conceive of any mistake that he had
committed which he was not ready to commit
over again. How often he may have done SO it is
impossible to learn. This is only one case out
of many. If it differs from the others in any
respect it ia in the thoroughness and COM
pleteness with which it illustrates the outrages
which may be perpetrated upon a man under
arrest by the officials in every department
into whose hands he may fall. That such
case, showing ignorance, recklessness
and cruelty everywhere, should hap
pen at all shows how necessary
it is that we shall stop and correct
system which permits these abuses The
cause of the wrongs is plain one. Under
our system of government by commissions
the details of the public business escape the
knowledge and attention of the Commission
ers, while their subordinates commit all man
ner of abuses. That Mr. Stockvis was so
cruelty neglected ON Blackwells Island was
doubtless as great surprise to the Commits
sioners of Charities and Correction as to the
public There has been abundant evidence
that the Police Commissioners have no real
knowledge or control of the workings Of their
department There is no Official RESPONSE
bility anywhere That such responsibility
shall begin, and that The constant violations Of
the law which now disgrace the metropolis
shall cease, are reforms that must be speedily
accomplished, though the task seems as for
midable and almost as hopeless as the at
tempts Of King Arthur at Riding his domin-
ions of the turbulent barons.
This is not a matter to be quoted as soon
as possible and speedily forgotten. Justice
will not be done Mess Mr.. Justice Flammer
is brought before the Court of Common Pleas,
as prescribed by law. for carelessness and
neglect of duty, his testimony before the Cor
oner establishing their habitual character.
And there must be no delay in bringing the
persons inculpated by the verdicts in the St.
Andrews church disaster before the courts.
The officers Of the Fire Department and of the
Department Of Buildings who were to blame
in the matter must not be allowed to hold
Office longer than it will require to remove
them. Both Mr.. Shook and Mr.. Titus ought
to be taught salutary lesson. If contractors
and others are made to feel that to be GEN.
sured by Coroners jury means punishment
there will be fewer calamities and fewer occa-
sions for censure. There never was time
when there was such reckless disregard of
the law and of private and official duty as
now, and there must be no more delay in ap-
plying the remedy.