The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-01-06
RASCALITYIN WASHINGTON
THE TRUE INWiRDNESS OF THE
WAR ON THE CLIMBERS.
MurtnRb Attempting to Dust Major Richards
Bccausc lie Could Not Use Him-A Plot TO
Biacken MIR. Nhitthornc's Character.

Murtngb Attempting to Oust Major Richards
Because lie Could Not Use Him-A Plot TO
Biacken MIR. Nhitthorne's Character.
WAsIIiSoToN, Jan. 5.-Washington hns
been acitatcd for several days over contest
which has been going on between part of the
old Washington Ring and the Chief Of Police,
the attorney for the Police Commissioners, and
several detectives. II will be remem bered that
the safe burglary conspiracy was first disclosed
through Major Richards, Chief OF Police He
had not been taken into the confidence OF the
constructors, and when he discovered their pur-
pose declined to be used by them. There has
not been an opportunity for the Shepherd Bah
cock combination to punish Richards until
within few days. II came about In this way
The National Rcpubicdn opened a fierce war
upon the gamblers The editor and proprietor
OF that sheet has been fOf many years President
Of the Board OF Police Commissioners. During
oil that time he has been aware Of the existence
OF scores Of gambling shops, and that the law
IN rceard TO them had not been executed. lie
did nothing in lis official capa .ity, and his
paper said nothing to secure an enforce.
ment Of the law In regard TO gambling.
Ten days ogo he was seized with a
virtuous spasm and opened upon the gamblers
In the RepublcIn. This was followed with an
insinuatlon that they were protected by the
for his non-intefference. Ihoreupon Mayor
Richards demanded All inyestieation and
gamblers, detectives, and all that sort
OF people were summoned wit.
nesses. but there evidence to
show that Richards had ever extended favors to
the gamblers, nor that any money had been paid
to him or anybody else for him. All that WIS
proved was that detectives mad occasionally vis-
tied the gambling places. but no person ~ pedred
to testify that they had been robbed In the
gambling houses or 1ecced out OF their money.
Whatever the truth may be IN regard TO the
charges preferred against the Police Superil-
tendent and his detectives. no evidence was
PRODUCED during the Investigation which tended
In the slightest degree to implicate them with
any participation IN the profits Of the gamblers;
but, during the Investigation, 1t was proved tnat
the only gambler who had ever been tried and
convicted In the courts for violation Of the law
Grant before lie had been sent 10 jail. IL was
further proved by are pectaole gentleman, who
Il not gambler, that he had seen Grant nun
self betting on horse racing.
When the evidence was all In the Police Com
mssioners. WIN tue exception Of Murtish,
President of the board. decided that unless
specific charges were preferred against tho
Superintendent OF Police, tue whole matter
must end. within twelve hours after this de-
cision was made the President asked for the
resignation of the Police Commissioners, IN
clgding Murtagh. Now IL ts SAID that Mr. Muir
tash will De reappointed aud that "A board l. 4
be constituted which Will turn out Mai n
Richards. TIE Superintendent ind his detec-
tiyes re not inclined 10 tamely submit. They
have declared war against Murtagh aid some
ric h Developments are promised.
was the attorney of the Police Commissioners.
l. On the side OF Major Richards. TINS Is SIG
nncant circumstance, because he has always
attorney of Dick Harrington, one OF the safe
bursll = VINO yet TO be tried. Cook was viciy
ABUSED by tho Republican, and he l. not the man
| to submit - treatment "f TINS KIND without
nshting back. lie VIII undoubtedy make IT
warm Tor Mr.. Murtagh. II" prides himself on
not striking even an enemy without giving warn
ing; therefore he has addressed the follow lng
wAsmSoros. D. c.. Jsn. /. 1871.
sis ; our recent conduct vii prevent me from
keeping my nnsags, & eHsas,in u, Sitl you io-dai Il
t,ey su nn to tue publication " ne i5es cona nod
Va yau ' s, paSsy fsp n.Sc fof f'1 lhS Sa
further pro.ccaiion OF .ne inquiry oeforr me Board
yhich have entl, produced The ai,acS On Major
Ser .Rsn conrss my esposure. 10 ,o5f
AZ. and purposes to The zen .ips inycsi,s
opportunity 10 rcsioni TO before Congress
ana ~ S s e9 gs, se e R suo s be y aae Ys
On r.; eonstnns we ensiirsc' % prostitute anl
s9T 19rce 20 to GsSiTe' sTe' dr. ST SdIn SnS
uncovered 1ae announcement u my purno /. not
sor y ss @ uSusRs is. IN sSy " Respect %
no 'i fivoTs 10 asa or accept. YoGrs, &c. " T. cooR
The reference In Cooks letter To Murtagh's
attempt to injure Mr.. WhitthUrue. Chairman Of
some further notice. Robson desired to de-
stroy Whitthornes character. and thus break b Q
force Of the damaging facts watch lac had oo
tained during his inyes' ig4tions intOthe afars
OF the Navy Department .e therefore in
structed Murtagh, who had been deeply involved
in RObeson's jobbery, to employ the police to
set up Job on MIR. whitthorne. Murtagh went
to Major Richards and instructed him to use
two of the Metropolitan detec ives to entice
MIR. Whitthorne into place Of bad repute, TIA en
have It raided and all the Inmates, along with
Whitthorne arrested aud dragged to the police
station. aud VIDE publicity gwen To the scan
Cal. Rich ards de tllres that he would not
enter into this base conspiracy. He gives two
nj h.e ~.
fed that Mr.. Whittborne could not be c ,ught; !;
anu, second. tn st 1t would be wrong TO employ
the police force. which Is partly paid by tho
Government, for such u nefarlous purpose. A
Congressional investigation will doubtless be
ordered, and AL the unsavory scandals con
nected with Ring rascality aud jOobery In Wash
iuntou will be l. xDoseu.