The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-08-09
POLICE INSUFFICIENCY.
Interview with General
VIM. f. Smith.
Scathing DenmratiOnS of the Force and Severe
RebukeS 10 commissioners.
An Investigating Commit
tee Suggested.


speech tho meeting OF the Board of Police Commits
Saturday last during which he also set forth
unmstakablc his opinions regarding the utter
of discipline and tho thorough DISCRIMINATION
which prevails among the members Of the police
force OF this city was the subject OF general
comment yesterday. Tho almost universal expression
appeared DO OF thankfulness that at last
member of the Police Board had been found who had
the courage and dared speak the truth TO his col
leagues and before the world The hope was also ex-
pressed that, a commencement had been made, an
effort would be continued by Commissioners smith TO
bring about and carry through 10 the end the mueh
needed reform. In order that
A FULLER EXPRESSION OPINION
and Ideas might be had from General smith than was
given by him in his short speech Of the day previous
reporter of the HERALD yesterday called upon the Cen
eral at his private residence the southern Boulevard
In Morrisana 4 long conversation was entered
into and number Of questions were put
70 the General who, In answer thereto, made
substantially the following statement giving account
Of the police from tho time of his first connection
herewith up to present and also giving his opinion
IN regard to what remedies needed to u
ueaer degree OF efficiency from the force The story,
however better told in his own words
WHAT GENERAL SMITH SAYS.
He said when was first asked by Mayor wickham
10 become Police Commissioner he told that
he wanted me to 20 the Board and what
could do improve the condition of affairs. He told
that he constantly receiving reports and inior
nation tci'ng HIM of the Generalization Of the police
force and that reform ought TO be instituted Ho
said he thought II would accept tho position could
20 and make alteration, or as he
sad-thesc his words-I want you TO go in and
take hold and what you do to bring the force
something like discipline and organization ac-
hill. a., Oh
up any Efforts that might make by both the Mayor
and the Governor The condition Of affairs stated to
be existing by the Mayor, l thought, before l be-
came better acquainted with the facts greatly
exaggerated and ovorcstimatcd But after had
taken my position in the Board found that the truth
had not been half told, and that the
DECENTRALIZATION, DISCRIMINATION AND WANT OF Dis
upLiNE
were greater than could possibly have ever dreamed
When first took my the Board but little notice
taken of and | given a side seat, or in
other words, was consulted much upon any
of the business An attempt was then made
TO make take the position of Treasurer formerly
cupied by General Duryea which, it is thought sup
pose, would keep quiet but declined accept the
position Whenever there any business to be trans
noted generally discussed in by the other
members OF the commission, and when 1t came to
vote | was, of course, in the minority;
and, as l much familiar with the
general workings of the department. had to keep silent
until had learned something about them l
10 the knowledge however that the department in
demoralized condition and that great and radical
changes necessary before good results could be
achieved With regard TO
had at first but little knowledge but l found
during my travels around the streets that there
Scarcely any nj all | SAW officers standing Mt
corners talking loafers and and dling their
time away while post instead Of attending their
duty They would stand too and chat with the servant
girls and others in the side streets, and often
times would wander from their posts, prcferring the
nsk losing their shields the proper performance
Of their patrol duty may also state that fully be-
aeye the charges against the officers concerned in
NE alleged outrage at the Battery. And, from what
hear and the reports that ill., believe this
by any means to be unusual Ny
next experience was in the court room. l am
sorry to be obliged to say it, but what found
there was even startling than many of the facts
had already learned became that citizen
when he made a complaint against a member of the
force whether a captain, a sergeant, roundsman
patronan, had chance whatever to anything
like fair decision for in every instance when the
rase trial the accused officers would be to
bring up enough witnesses, who absolutely
THE COMPLAINANT OUT or COURT,
or else he failed appear owing 10 the intimidation he
subjected to. In great measure this system pre-
walls to-day in the face Of every action the Board has
taken In one case where it found that had
worn falsely Of their fellows, introduced
resolution the Board that they be dismissed the de-
partment This resolution was adopted ana SIX men
we're discharged The absence OF discipline Il pccu-
aary shown in the case OF the man Ganney,
Who when dismissed the force for false swear.
M was rendered a benefit in the shape Of
Ipcnic at which the Captain, several scrgeants and
large number Of In the same precinct that he had
been In attended while large number OF men from other
precincts assisted getting the air up This was,
consider a mark OF disrespcct to tho Commissioners,
for il showed that the men the force had regard
for any rulings they might make and IN ict II seemed
10 me the men thus openly took the
OPPORTUNITY
and express their opinion against It's action by publicly
Endorsing the conduct Of the disgracod oiccr To show
feeling the members thereof on the OCCASION will
simply say that VI subsequent meetings
moved that the who took part in the picnic
should be brought TO trial Commissioner VoOrhis
thcreupon up and made speech, during which he
ErandilOquently held forth upon the liberty of tho
ritzen the right Of every man 70 act IN such matter
hc thought best and said that lac did not think there
had been any great harm done lie supported BY all
The other Commissioners, except myself, and tho
matter then dropped until the next meeting, when
again brought the question up by moving that
two who post duty and had LETT their posts
20 attend the picnic should be- transferred to other
precinct Mcssrs Matscll aud Yoorhis were against
HE proposition, and, TO my utter establishment, Mr.
Disbcckcr sided with me- but the grounds upon which
Se did so were peculiar He said II vote for General
EmithH motion because think, If any
COMMISSIONER MAN REMOVED
Me others members Of the Board should sustain him.
There many Instances that could give which
IhOw that the trials Of policemen are simply so many
Erccs for the reason OF the amount Of false swearing
THAI Is brought into every case, and which but too
clearly proves the degradation and generalization or
lhc men ] do not wish say that there are no
honest and efficient tho force, for believe there
are a great many captains sergeants roundsmcn and
patr0lmcm who only honest and reliable, but
who rgidy and conscicntOusy do their duty and who
are fully qualified for the positions they hold In order,
however 10 thorough rcmOdellng and rcorgan
izat0n Of the department many things needed to
be done which. al the present time am not prepared
20 talk about but must say that there might be change
made in the Governing Board with advantage, In
the FIRST place. and down through the line Tho
President Of the Board Is weak and Inefficient and in
my opinion, unfit 20 DO at the hcud Of such depart
ncnt and, were charges preferred against him,
feet deep IN any potAl cemetery. lie is,
IN my opinion, but mere tool OF NOorhis,
who takes him 10 lunch and treats him every day
and twists him round to suit his ends. Mr. Noor-
L.l..nl