The New York herald., 1875-11-10
THE COMMITTEE ON CRIME.
ABUSES IN POLICE COURT PRAcT1cEs-AArEND-
MESTs TO THE LAWS THAT MIGHT BE AD-
vIsABLE-TwENrY-FIvE HUNDRED SALOONS

ADOSA1 AN FOLICk COUBT NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
MESTs TO THE LAWS THAT MIGHT BE AD-
vIsABLE-TwENTY-FIvE HUNDRED SALOONS
UNLICENSED.
The Committee on Crime held long and rather fruit
less session yesterday. Mr. Moses P. Clarke, Chief
Clerk Of the District Attorneys Office was the first
witness Mr. Clarke asked about number Of cases
which had never been disposed Of but failed give
PLANTATION OF the therefor In the case OF John
Crowley, arrested for picking the pocket OF Robert
Croghan It appeared that United Commissioner
Davenport ntorceded in behalf OF Crowley (vho has
the good or being the brother of deputy
shay by tho following letter addressed to Judge
Murray
Ny DEAR JupGE-A bow John Crowley, whom I
have known for a long time a thoroughly good boy
and who has been at times in my employ, y charged
with some offence and Is in the Tombs. His case Is
down for Special Sessions tomorrow much WISH ior
t to go 70 General Sessions He brother OF Deputy
Marshal Crowley and Is committed under the name OF
John Conroy. / do not believe he is guilty OF the
offence charged and should want strong evidence 70
convince me- knowing him as do Will you do what
you in the matter and charge the same TO mef
Yours, very truly, JOHN |. DAVENPORT.
THE POLICE COURTS
Mr.. Marvin N. Jones' Clerk OF the Special Sessions,
thought il not the intent Of the law to Impose
fines for enrichng the city treasury but for increasing
the severity OF the punishment tho frequent
regard days imprisonment as equivalent to
dollar fine The witness asked how often in the
last three years prisoners who had been sent to the
Pententiary had paid their fines and he said
than
"Then tho should be still in prison the 1nes
must have been remitted2n Mr. Townsend asked.
eyes, unless the Warden has set them at liberty
without authority OF law" Mr. Jones replied, and Mr.
Townsend expressed his determination to subpmna
the Warden, and examine him in regard to this sub
ject
Here rccess taken and at a quarter totwd
O'Clock the subject resumed Mr.. Townsend read
from the records the OF several in which
tho Commissioners OF Charities applied for the remis-
sion OF the fines imposed upon prisoners long
before even their terms OF confinement had been
cluded- Mr.. Jones said that tho discrepancy OF time
could probably be explained by the allowance Of com
mutation. In regard petit larceny he said
the law only allowed six months Imprisonment and
500 tine, and there sometimes such aggravated
that the judges inflicted the fine with the
fest intention 10 keep the culprit confined only
hundred days AFTER the SIX months were over but
even longer.
CASES GREAT HARDSHIP
The witness upon the suggestion Of the committees
counsel said that IL would be well carry the
statute which empowers magistrates to compel minor
offenders TO give bail for their good behavior for two
years after the termination of their punishment This
statute Ii not carried He thought that this law
would be particularly beneficial in preventing keepers
OF disordery houses from starting again in their bust
after they were released. very bad state OF
things was developed with regard TO minor cases,
whi ch the police justice has the power hold the Of
fender bail for good behavior or lieu or
BAIL 10 keep hm imprisoned for certain time. II ap
pears that 1t is rule (Which has no justification in
law) in the police courts to make the of inn
prisonment rrevocabe II the bail cannot be mmedi-
ately furnished by the accused This rule works great
hardship in this way:-A man is arrested at three
O'Clock the afternoon say for insulting somebody;
the Court closes four ana he has bail at hand
tho sentence oil imprisonment is imposed and the JUS
tce henceforth declines 10 ake the security for his
future behavior. Thus respectable man, for some
petty offence Tor which the law only contemplates ms
giving security for future behavior, can be sent TO
prison for three months simply because he has no
bondsman Immediately at hand
The witness admitted that great hardship was
worked by the refusal Of justices 10 take bail OF prison
ers who did not come originally before them justice
goes away tor a week or is Ill and other justice of
the court refuses to take bail and the accused has
wait for the return OF the nrst justice. change in
the law in that respect In the opinion Of the witness,
would be advisable Another piece of great injustice
is that arrested Sunday afternoon at one or
two O'Clock for trivial offence cannot give bail
DO NOT SIT suSDA- AFTERNOONS
Mr. Townsend suggested that IL would be well If the
Legislature would empower Aldermen police cap
tans 10 take bail Sundays aud the witness assented
to the suggestion AT present police captains have only
power OF taking bail in Of arrests Tor fast driving
This power the witness thought ought to be extended
to Vther trivial offences
Excise Commissioner Stewart presented an applca-
tion from NJ. Seery, liquor dealer in the city, which
contradcted his statement before the committee that
he had made application but had paid $50 and
had never been troubled since Mr. Stewards examina
ton was extremely tedious The only facts OF
brought out by tho endless questions put TO him
that the number Of saloons in New York S,000 and
only about $500 licensed and that Mr. Stiner
the chief inspector under resolution OF tho Board and
had The supervision the liquor establishments
In New York city The inspectors generally reported to
Mr. Stner in regard to applications
Mr. Patrick Ryan testified in regard 10 the alleged
suicide OF his brother aud sister in December 1873 who
were found with their heads almost cut OF IN Broomo
street He made long statement tending TO show that,
In his opinion, IL not suicide but murder more es
peciay as his brother was found at the loot Of tho
stairs lie charged Captain Hedden and the police with
trying to induce the Coroners jury TO render verdict
OF suicide.
Before finishing his examination the committee ad-
journed till Thursday morning at eleven O'CLOCK when
they viii visit the schoolship Mercury.