New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-06-11

INVESTYGA TING CRIME.
TIE ASSEMBLY COMMITTEES FIRST SESSION
POLICE METHODS INQUIRED INTo-EXAMINAToN Of
PRESIDENT MArsEII-UE DECLARES THAT MORE
POLICEMEN ARE NEEDED-POIICY OF TIE DE-
rARIMENT TOWARD GNMING-HOUsEs AND OTHER
~ IL REsORTs-pIANs OF TIE COMMITTEE.
The members of the committee for the in
vesgation of crime in this city, which was appointed
recently by the Legislature. held their first meeting yes
tcrday, ut the City Hall. The committee consists OF
Thomas Cooper Campbell chairman James W, Hustled,
Leo. G. Drssar. Jacob A. Hess and John r. MCGOWAN.
John d. Townsend, counsel for the committee explained
it, purposes aud intended mode of action in the following
address:
Mr.. CHARMtN AND GENTLEMEN OF TIE COMMITTEE;
BEFORE entering upon the duties which have selected
me to perform few words from not he out Of
distractions which must meet with Will by
lie incosdorahe and hostility from those whor WAYS
are dark We mast anticipate know, however that il is
your sign that tn investigation shall he thorough aud
conquer, or annosities tO gIatiy you VIII not hesitate
10 y open 10 the public eye all evils you find existing in
any OF the departments 0i the city Government which
fail WITHIN tho province OF your duty II tns nvcsiga
ton Is prosecuted with The sole design Of exposing the
evils in the present system OF the administration OF
crnn.ua law in this city. | am SIRE that will
cventlate IN immense public good, by exposing To re-
moV dishonest officials, If there be amy, aud in enabling
the next Legislature understanding 10 pass such laws
rs the facts developed may seci Ia require But must
ask your induigelC" H. upon the start We proceed Dn
slowly. The Legislature could not have appreciated the
i.nnenSiy Of The task they imposed urOn you they
would lave empowered yOd 10 employ assistance.
To make efforts result in what We have right 10
hope Tor We must have the assistance of the pubic We
are working FOR thr interests ana tncy should ave US
their support There are orgdnil ltios as well rs nii-
Nidnals, who are engaged III nearly every Ward seeking
ie."rn ASK In your 1ehdt the active assistance ana
niSc that they lay before Ills such knowledge a. comes
within their reach Of evils existing Ia their localities.
Oar city to-L,y is Tiled VITA the lowest gr0sgcrios,
houses Tor prostitution aid eiuibhng and as every one
WHO has had any knowledge Oh thc criminal classes Is
awart, lirse epcnderancc of CRIME can be directly
traced to tn, c soues oar laws forbid thcir eN iscnce
and yet they live. To the Police Department hayca
ri-h TO look Tor Their 'Hp and II public attention
called o. cr existence those who nave control Oi tie
So "a. ' u, , 'n S i, , mi o wi mi ic
directed also the workings of criminal courts. o.
Tie DsncAttorneys Ollie to the Excise iicald, and
the reioInatoIles prisons, %c. Bat a. said before
shall have ask patience until the EXAMINATIONS
just commencing IN the different departments are ll!e
iartLer ADVANCED IL has been Thought ad' sanle before
presenting 10 the evils which eAist. from each de-
parucu proceed with the invos GaliOn, t. request
presence before you OF the gentlemen having control
of their departments ana hear from them su"h sngs
tiOS t'y have 10 oier ~ To ann dehls or additions
10 the Laws.
George W Na,sell President Of the Police Board was
requested tn make statement in reference to hls cx
Iereuce o the adopted for the investigation ana
suppression of crime lie was examined by Mr. Town
send. Mr Matsl said -" have been in the Board since
last July; before that was suparinenen of Police
think from the May Previous have been CGitf Of Pc
lice | GIlc that Office, think for II years; during
the time referred to have been more or less an observer
of tie manner which the Police Department has been
conducted The general duties OF the Police Commits
sioncrs ut present consist Giving directions auI ma
ING rulcs for the government ~ The force AMI the super
nfpdent sees Chat these rules are executed tie Police
Commissi have also charge the street cleaning
business"
Nj Town send then put the follow question DO you
as an expert think that this duty ought not 10 be added
other duties Of the Commissioners, aud that has
tendency 10 impair their rficeUcyG"
Mir. Mclean. counsel for Mr. Matsoi objected aud re-
ouestcd Mr. Maisen not to this question. Afcr
considerable discussion Mr. Ma,sell answered that h"
thought these extra dut'es did impair the efficiency Of
the Board Mr. Mdtsell afterward made the following
statements
NV time is sometimes engaged with the committee on
street c aiming matters tiIoe days Ia the week We
have regular DAYS of meeting. Int sometimes We have
special meetings besides. All tle reports from every tie
t,,rtn4n o. the police DO moi always reach Tho So
perintcndent in cases decides, and has discretion
ay power Of acting IA certain ma ters The r'lots re-
cclyed ny the superintendent are al hed There Is rule
20 that effect ! think The duties Of tlic
superintendent don't g beyond the p"iice proper ne
act. r and regulations made ly the laws OF he
state, them general and some OF them specific
c Te in a the CIV. dSdSd into bis or posts. ny
opinion there are not enough Polc.f IN Ne ',y n
also. think need a hundred more. That would
an'myd tti. ,,,nnrr If We tnk the cy requires
thcii but the Board OF Apporfion'nnt rcguai" Tire pay
and cannot appoint the policemen uhess We can pa!
them.
Nj Townsend then examined Mr.. iIatsel in reference
10 Rule 20 of the Rules and Regulations for lie Police
Department. This rule provides that the Board of Com
missioner. be empowered tO ana the President 4"
the Board draw the Treasure FOR such Sums OF
money az in the Judgment OF the Board may be deemed
reouisite to procure arrest and conviction of CRIMINALS
and others cndangcrng tine safety Of the community
and also 10 procure information the use of which may
vent crime and enable The Department 10 perform Us
important duties successfully the sums 80 drawn
Ia account OF lnc "Sccrct Service funi
M. Mat.c said This rule docs Of stl exist
but il il intended for the detective force. The rule can
not authorize to make payment II the money IL"
ju the treasury. We have never made Il demand
of this kind the Board Of ADpoli loLinent
Men are frequently appointed Ia The force on hcr own
appIcatioD: / would rather have such men; they make
more efficient officers; don't know OF any recently az
pom ed who have not lived year III New YORK previous
L. their appointment. | think the rule only requires tN
months residence. believe IL sh"uld be- the duty OF the
supern; endc 70 enforce the laws to aair al gaming
and sncl places an are ncnohcn III hc Do. ihc
following il the rule:
snoi Of the supcrntf udeDt OF Police Ia en-
force Of al tAe laws OF the hitc AMI
uf and aSo t'abltc Az e'n
ug houses lODins ad prcuis and places s, oi ush ~"
rwd purOses ami ncni ana places Aepi lOi
tbs sale Of lottery tickets 81 policies
Mi Townsend here quoted Rae IL, ana called sI"Cld
"a tc clause which provides thal gaining ih
u,nuh shah returned 20 their owners II IN persons
arr. MOI convicted his he declared 20 be IA bad Is CIV
inc "a burglar back his tools II the testimony failed to
convict him. and in this opinion Nh. Matsen agreed with
him The examination Of Nj. MfiseH was thcn con
cludcd ana the Committee adjourned, to meet on We'd
ncsday, June IT,