New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-07-17
POLICE METHODS.
HE LEGISLATIVE INVESTIGATION.


PRRcINcTs-LFNIENCY OF POLICE JUSTICES To-
WARD PRIsONERs-wHY THE LEADING GAM
BLING HOUSES ARE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF
DANIEL j. TwOnEY-PANEL HOUSES UNCHECKED.
The Special Committee of the Assembly for
ue investigation of crime In NewYOrk met az the City
Hall AZ IL O'Clock yesterday and continued their exani-
nation into the workings of the Police Department All
the Committee IN attendance and there were also
present the Hon. jeremiah Mcclure Judge Morgan and
Alderman Morris. The most important witnesses OF the
day were Daniel J. TwOhey, who spoken of in con-
pection with the testimony Of Mrs small, and Capt
Henry Barlen Of the Jhirticth Precinct.
Daniel J. Twohey was the first witness. He testified
tatwh the late "Mes O'Rely" he engagedin writ
mg book on the social evil the matter to he supplied by
himself and the writing TO be done 10y OReily. His attcn-
ton had been called the subject by the complaints of
various friends who had been victims Of panelhouSe
thieves lie had discovered that there existed rivalry
between the common women of the town and the panel
house thieves the former being Jealous of the latter be-
cause they protected by the police He began his
work ab0nt January 1864 and the 10Th Of February
he received from a victim OF panel-housc thicyinS
a,tor upon Which he arrested girl who had robbed his
friend $500. lie went TO superintendent Matsell and
gave him the numbers of several houses represented to
panel houses. NJ. Matseil spoke 10 MCCulaSh and
McCunagh denied the truth Of these statements. The
witness pointed out 70 McCuagh list Of houses roplted
10 he panel houses At this McCullagh became angry
and called him scOundrel." He replied that McCu
lagh was collision with thieves and disgaced the uni
form he wore. \ friend Of the witness named
spcrlng, who lie supposed was victim Of The
thieves. engaged woman especially TO give him
information respecting panel houses. Information was
then given him Of all the houses lie spoke Of the matter
70 Gen. Duryea who would have nothing 10 do with IT,
He then went 10 sec Commissioner Smith, who became
very indignant and said that it was none Of his business
ara told him to clear out superintendent Matsell was
ind rent and looked dissusted and would say nothing
IN
seemed anxious to destroy the places In giving an
idea OF the way which the robberies committed
IA these panel houses the described house at
No 143 Mercer-st Before the house there street
lamp which frequently put out, and he had seen vic
tins thrown Of the house aud beaten violently. The
lower portion of the house panel house, and the
upper part used by negro woman who complained
that she not allowed out of the door at night
after dark The superintendent told her to out of the
window.
The panelLouse thief said the Witness generally
lecs old and substantial men 10 entrap. On one coca
sion, when he had evidence Of actual commission Of
panolb house robbery, he went to Capt Irving and de-
mauded detective to arrest the guilty persons Deec
tive Leahey assigned to do the work. Leahey said
tat there use in going to the place mentioned
said not panel house. and asked for evidence
The witness went to Capt Williams aud told him about
the house, aud gave him the evidence in the Capt
Williams said 1t was of his business. The house
was at No. 70 Gveene-st The witness then went to
Capt. Irving and Detective Eusts detailed TO so
with him ana DO this work When they the pre-
eict, which McCullaghs, Eustis declined TO take
any action in the matter without informing McCuagn,
and as the did wish do this the matter,
by mutual agreement, dropped. The witness knew
of the existence of half Of these panel houses in
every ward in the city. They pay To the police 500
week aud half the "squea " but OF this the witness had
other evidence than the statements Of panel thieves
He described the arrest Of woman named Jennie Clay
nnf ne NJ a m Wh charged her with
rObbing him. The woman brought before the
sergeant OF the precinct who knew her. and who With
the hope having the charge dismissed said he would
have the man locked up all night. The man was not
willing 10 submit TO this Inconvenience, and the
charge dropped. Then the witness described the
circumstances of visit which he made night the
statonhOuse, just previous the time when lie lad
been advised TO beware McCuagh and lie entered
The house by door, McCuilagh entered by the other
On coming out Of the door the witness was
assaulted and was knocked down. He made
charge, but NcCulagh, who, he said instigated the
attack came to the police court aud induced the
against whom the charge had been made TO make
cOuneTcbarge, and both charges sent to Special
Sessions, and consequence both charges were
dropped. The of his assailan said the witness.
Hugh Keenan, gambler and he had associates, one
Of whom ex-cOnvct.
On another OCCASION with friend OF his Col Kerrcan,
the witness was followed to his house while he and
Kenigan went to dinner a note was sent to Kenigan
stating that he keep with his friend else his
friend would be harmed. At the close of his examna-
ton the witness asked If he had said that he
would get square with Capt. McCullagh, 20 which he
replied Oh, certainly Sir, did say and say
intend to get justice"
Capt. William LOwery of the Sixth Precinct then
called and questioned about statement published
In The sun that, in conversation with ccyain gentle
the Captain had been told that the object OF the
Committee TO stop blao kmGng On being asked to
civ gisf vrilie had
been mentioned IN that conversation, he declined
swer He also declined give the Of the gentle
with whom he had the conversation.
TESTIMONY OF CAPTs. ALLAIRE AND BENNETT.
Capt Anthony j. Allaire testified that he had been
captain since the 23d Of May, 1867 he was sergeant
for two years. and had done patrol duty; he served in
the war; at present he Captain Of the Fourteenth
einct lie had recently reported gambling houses IN his
precinct; there were four; there when he
placed there but lie had pulled" three. lie had
not made application for warrants to close them as
he had not sufficient evidence; be had sent
men 10 investigate the character OF the houses.
OF concert Saloons he mentioned the Dew Drop
Inn" which he had reported a saloon employ
Ing girls; he had recently broken up house at
No l2l Elm-st had the persons indicted and had not
heard from the aterwaTd. panel house not
exist IN precinct the report Of the first robbery;
he would be willing that the Committee should pass
resolution holding the police captains responsible for
their positions their precincts not cleared OF all
such houses 30 days. He had no headquarters for
thieves In his precinct. The witness said that he had
Ito money previous the war, and had less His
pay had been $500 ana VI 400 a. patrOlman 5000 and
81 200 sergeant and 50 600 captain; lie had wife
and four children all the real estate he owned was a
burial plot He owned no stocks bonds, mortgages
had received gifts under the sanction OF the Commission
ers, but not silver furniture had received gold
shield.
Capt Bennett Of the Twenyfourth Precinct called