The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-09-27
DIVIDENDS TO BE PASSED.
THE TBUNDERCLAP HEIRD IN THE
TONES POLICE COURT


Ore OF tho Police Commissioners Making
Observations when the Court Onicers did
not Dream of It-Wbat Happened Next,
"This is skin camel" shouted man
who sat mufied In heavy overcOat in the
Tombs Police Court early Yesterday morning.
Justice Duffy had not arrived. The startled
court officers recognized the voice Of Police
Commissioner Erhardt and as he arose he re-
peated, This is a skin gamer He had watched
the prisoners as the police officers escorted
them into the court room from the police
stations and seen them accosted by the Tombs
lawyers and by the police officers who are de-
tailed to do court duty and observing the move
ments o; both prisoners and police officers, the
wido-awake Commissioner had seen enough to
convince him that an extensive "business" Is
transacted by the police officers In the police
courts. Recently the Commissioner was told
that sergt. Smith and his subordinates of the
court squad were IN league with certain lawyers
who prowl around the Tombs.
The Commissioner was told that II prisoner
declined to employ whatever lawyer the police
ofncer recommended he had to go to the bar
without a lawyer; but that II the prisoner em-
ployed the lawyer chosen by the ofncer the
lawyer was soon at his side. and the fee obtain
ed shared by the police oficer and tho
lawyer These facts might have been discover
ed by the Police Commissioners long ago. and
the Commissioners might also have learned that
the Police Court clerks and other attaches OF
the courts get percentage. Messenger boys,
scouts, and "cappers also share in the law
yers fees.
Justices OF the courts and the Warden of the
prison have often spoken Of the disGraceful
trahc In the police court rooms, and Yesterday
when Commissioner Erhardt exploded the mine
in the rombs Police Court, the court loungers
said, " It's wonder IL didn't happen before"
The court officers would not have been so bold
In their transactions yesterday had thev reOog-
nized the man with the heavy overcoat anu the
In bis seat be saw the police officers Introduce
lawyers to prisoners, and then enter Sergt.
Smiths private room. When he shouted THIS
is u skin game!' ths court officers saw that IT
was too late. There was no opportunity for
escape, and none for explanation before the
Commissioner departed. At no time In the his
tory OF the old court was there greater commo-
ton than when he spoke. Veteran "rounders,"
who have passed their lives thus far IN the
neighborhood Of the lomos, shook their heads
and Knowingly said, "lt was bound To happen"
Many Of the IOmOs lawyers laughed outright
when, soon after Commissioner Erhardt's de-
parture, the order came down from the Police
Central Omce suspending Sergt: Smith and
ROundsmau Walsh from duty. Acting Serut.
Potts OF the Franklin street police station was
directed to take Sergt. SMITH place.
AT meeting OF the Police Commissioners in
the Afternoon, Commissioner Ernardt gave his
reasons for visiting the court. ana described
what he had seen, and the board promptly
transferred Sergt. Smith to the Prince street
police, and charges were preferred against bin.
Siuitn was recently severely censured IN the
Essex Market Police Court by Justice Kasmire
for misbehavior. All the officers In the Tombs
Police Court and IN the other courts are TO be
overhauled. and probably transferred forthwith.
A suggestion has been made to the Board Of po-
lice Justices that the court clerks be put under
surveillance. Yesterday afternoon, for the first
time within the knowledge Of old Offenders
police officers in the TomDs Police Court uid not
seem to know any OF the lawyers