The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-04-15

EXAMINATION OF POLICEMEN DEFoRE THE
coMMIssIoNERs-AsrUT OFFICERS scHEMING
IN THE CITY HALL PARK.
The testimony given by the policemen who wore
parties tho recent to raise among
the members OF tho force for tho purpose Of defeat
ing the Police bill now pending before the Legls
lature is OF a highly amusing character The
ideas entertained by tho leaders OF the movement
with respect 10 the press and tho general
stupidity they displayed in the management
OF the affair sad commentary on the intelligence
OF "the best police force in the world" Commissioner
Erhardt who conducted the examination, refused 10
give the Of the Witnesses although he permit
ted portion Of the testimony 70 be made public Tho
testimony of one officer. gwen below, Is not . little
amusing and may be taken as sample of the lots
Said he'll come, Mr.. Commissioner. as a square
man. There meeting, originating through lob
bying between station houses, before notices
written. Tho first In reference to how the
precincts could be got together. This was held on
seat City Hail Park. Passing along thero we met
great many propositions were made. II was party
the square am under certain affidavit not To
divulge the names Of those present One suggested
that through the press another said that II this
done the Commissioners would get II all IN the
morning and they would issue an order 10
stop II forthwith. ! said the way to do II was TO
get the notices written out and that each should take
a number OF precincts and notify them in that way.
Another proposed TO notify the treasurcrs OF tho
Mutual Aid l came to this meeting In tins way
officer standing at the day OF, and
nine of down In the park to consult about tho
Of grading tho force and reducing salaries
1t said that some oil US had largo families and
pay not be cut down now, and that when many
new men were gong into tho force u would only take
twelve months TO clear cut the twelve hundred
dollar men. Tho coming into the iorcc
are so numerous, and the old decreasing so fast
that Ia about would be reduced 10 eight hun
drcd dollar men. and that NO could not support
families that pay. Il would be awful TO present
such bill the Legislature We discussed the matter
Tor about three hours and committee was appointed
60 that the notices were sent l do not want TO
give their names; they all travel as do myself wo
gave words to each other In proper form in tho
way people do who understand each other Rather
than dlvu gc this would thank you 10 throw me out
of that window and smash my head There nino
OF u.s. aud admit that ono oil them was representa-
tive Of the newspaper, and we all pledged
selves was secretary OF the meeting held subsc-
quently Some proposed that send smart
fellow TO Albany the person named was stranger TO
me- thon Mr.. - named, and then lawyer in
Wall street was named aud he finally agreed
was asked to 20 the Committee OF Arrangements,
but declined, as did know the man heard men
tion OF S.. $40 and 81 being raised but
upright square man heard stated would
rsfhef not answer any questions about any OF tho
other mems business" ..r
With respect tho last three meetings OF the
witnesses ATTEMPTED to make the Commissioners be-
evc that they did fairly understand the object In
view when they attended, but supposed II raise
witness however admitted that with full knowledge
OF tho object view hc would havc received conlrbu
tons as treasurer Said he, ~ don't want to stand
bch n -