The New York herald., 1877-01-06
How the Force of the Naval InveStiga-
ton Was To Be Destroyed.
Mr.. WHITTH0RNE'S CHARACTER TO BIZ RUINED
Why the Board Of Police Commissioners Were
Requested to Resign.
THE STATEMENTS OF THE DETECTIVES.
[By TELKGRAPH TO THE HERALD. I

An INFAMOUS scandal VIII be brought 10 light shortly
by Congressional investigation Tho resolution
this investigation vii, be offered In
the House tomorrow or as soop thereafter
as It's mover can get the opportunity. Tho resolution
Will simply ask for general inquiry as to whether any
member OF she Board OF Police Commissioners Of the
District Of Columbia has attempted TO use his
position to Interfere with investigations authorized
by Congress or for any other improper pur-
pose. This will be referred TO tho Commit
tee the District OF Columbia, OF which
Mr.. Buckner, of Missouri, is chairman, and
under the prompting OF this plain and modest instrnc-
tion II Is alleged that u scandaous aud nefarous
will be disclosed as the result OF
the committees inquiry. In order that the facts OF
the matter may be more clearly understood is
sary to 60 back a few weeks In the domestic mat
ters Of tho city Of Washington to time when
tho National Republican newspaper, which popu.
larly known throughout tho country as tho "Ktchcn
organ" Of the administration, began upon the
gamblers OF Washington. 1t charged that largo
number or gambling places open day and night
this city defiance Of law and that there corrupt
couson between the proprietors Of tn ESQ establish
and the police authorities. The charges
direct and specific against Major Richards the Super
intendcnt OF Police, that that official demanded
an investigation at tho hands Of tho Board
of Police, the President OF which, William J.
Murtagh, Is likewise editor and proprietor
of the paper in question. The Investigation
which has been going on for some days past came to
sudden close on Tuesday last number of gamblers
and others had been examined and olning appeared
the evidence that taken to mplicate tho Super
ntendent Of Police substantiao the charges that
he had been in the receipt of money from tho gam
blers as had been charged
ACTION
ivata of tha Roard of Cou To-
sioncrs then held, and it was ruled by tho Board
that the president OF the body Murtagh, should pro-
fer charges in person against Richards Tho vote in
tho Board this proposition is said to havo been four
to one, Mur,agh voting IN the negative.
THE GAMBLERS
Various theories have been aloat hero to the
meaning or inspiration of the attack upon the gam
bers Richards and the detective corps, for 1t was
through the detectives that it charged Richards
operated. Ono theory that Murtagh for personal
other reasons, wished to got rid Of Richards and
place friend of his own IN his position. Another was
that Richards had not been, during tho Congress.
sional Investigations OF last winter and since
subscrvent tool OF the admin stration as it was
expected he should havo been. Still another theory
that Murtagh merely wanted TO make a sensation
and had seized upon the gamblers and tho police as
arording the best opportunity bring journal into
local notoricty. However all this may be- tho result
OF the proceeding there has boon developed the con.
spiracy and scandal referred TO- and which drags
nocenty but not the less unhappily tho OF tho
Secretary of the Navy and possibly others in Official
life and out Of it.
CONSPIRACY.
Until to-day this whole police quarrel promised to
be nothing than local wrangle and might have
ESCAPED wider interest had not Colonel William A.
Cook attorney Of tho Board Of Police and counsel
I, ,chc 4,
to Murtagh u card published TO- night, in which ho
says:-
CARD COUNSELLOR COCK.
In tho further prosecution OF tho inquiry before the
motives which have apparently produced the attack
on Major Richards and the aspcrsions OF my
ns 'SnS my
You your associates shall have iu opportunity 10
respond TO accusations before Congress the
courts The public shall be made acquainted
with the base efforts employed by you
and Others constituting vile conspiracy
prostitute ana Major Richards and members of the
detective force TO destroy or impair n Congressional
investigation and to injurc Hon. w. G. Whit
horne Other matters equally disnonorable
nouncemcnt Of my purpose IS not intonded In tho
least to protect gamblers or any voators of the law
bcarance has ceased to be virtue. have no lavors
to ask or accept
Here was a threat to reveal something OF greater
importance than intrigue jealousy among police
officials and Colonel Cook evidently fully pos
scsscd of the secret no waited upon by HERALD
to whom he mado tho following state
mcnt:-
THE CARD EXPLAINED.
The matter rcfcrrcd TO in my card, fact capable OF
The cearest proof is this:During the pcpdcncy last
winter OF tho Investigation by the Naval
OF the House, OF which Mr.
w. g. Whitthorno Is chairman, Mr.. Murtagh
called Major Richards ana others, including Mcssrs
McDevitt and Miller OF tho detective orcc and said
hem in substance, that the lorco OF tho expected
port from tho Naval Committee must bo
broken dawn and that he wished them to
aid in doing and to have Mr. whnlhornc
watched, II not perhaps cntced into some house III
lame, or placed IN some similar scandalous prcdica-
ncnt and, while In sucn place or relation, 10 havo a
raid made by the police Oh the house and to havo him
arrested and taken to police court the degradation
of which arrest would destroy the effect OF his
Investigation II was the intention not to proceed to
this extremity H. by holding over his head the fact OF
his arrest, he could bo kept from making report 1t
Is likely that furnished offered to carry
this design, but Major Richards and the detectives
while for prudential they appeared enter
lain the proposition OF Mr.. Muragh determined they
would not engage in any scheme with a purpose SO
nearous.
TIRED DELAY
Tired, at length, OF their delay, he complained OF
their ineiccnci, saying that there longer any
energy in them value in their service, and that II
would be necessary TO get some outsider carry out
the plan. This refusal on their part constituted
the for his recent attack upon all for tho
capacity Of attorney to the Board, was advised
or the proposition made thom, and counscllcd
them not TO aooedc to it. | satisfied
that Murtagh was not acting alone in the
M nv xhat that ho
acting at the suggestion OF the Secretary OF tho
Navy. The presumption Is that he bidding for in.
huencc In high placcs.n
CoRREsroS pgSr-"Why did tho President ask the
Board to resign?"
Colonel CooG-He looked upon their proceedings
dsrcpuable and improper IN allowing outside and
irregular testimony slandcring himself to
enter into an investigation whose object
was Major KIchards and no one cleo. Tho