The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-29
MIR. ERHARDTs CHARGES.
The Specifications that are 20 be Read Before
the Police board To-day.


To TIE BOARD OF POLICE Certain resolu-
tlons offered by Commissioner Erhardt at the
meeting Of the Board OF Police Jan. II having
provoked some comment and denials Of their
necessity or propriety by his associates. he re-
afilrms the necessity for them and alleges the
truth OF the implications therein contained and
he states that it is his opinion where abuses
and evils are to be attacked for the purpose Of
remedying them. that the proper place to do so
is where they exist. in this case in the Board OF
which he is a member: and after vanly at
tempting to accomplish certain reforms quietly.
subsequent illusions to them should bo unmis-
takably clear. and that the grapple should be
m open one. And he accepts the criticism fol-
lowing the request TO investigate the official
acts OF his associates and his own. rather than
drift with an important department TO con-
fusion. He alleges as matter that can
not be Rainsaid that the Police Depart
ment has not been investigated at all since
January. 1876. and never within his recolec-
ton has been examined with any caro-; and vet
this department dsburses annually nearly
$4,000, ,0O0-being since January. 1876. nearly
$4,000 000-whlle indifference and carelessness
naturally will creep in aud grow in handling so
large a sum annually. especially whore a de-
partment has no final auditor but itself; that
the condition Of the police force proper has
never been looked into by the Executive OF the
city with a view to determine tho justice Of pro-
motions. impartial discipline. or consistent en-
forcement OF law; and to assume that nvesti-
cation is not necessary is TO invest the head Of
the Police Department with continuous sound
judgment and fidelity not elsewhere found.
He reiterates that there has been carelessness
or inefliciency In performing the duties i'm
posed by law upon the Board. and he insists
that the record shows that carelessness and OK
travaRnnce IN some cases have been rewarded
by promotion. and that the discipline for viola
tions OF rules and law has not been such as an
honest difference Of opinion would justify. He
alleges that the police force have not in some
instances had the good example Of the Board TO
guide and stimulate them. but have been wit
nesses OF the contrary. He insists that it is well
known 10 the Board of Police thnt certain mem
bers OF the police force received instructions
| from at least one OF them what party to assist
or hamper at the election held in November.
| 1878. and he declares his opinion that such a
| course was destructive OF all discipline and con-
trary TO the express rules OF the department
He alleges that during tho past six months
| the influence OF those actively engaged in poll
tics has been more successful with the Board Of
| Police In preventing punishment to offenders
than was consistent with their duty, sitting as
an executive and quasi-iudicial body. and that
such q course has borne evil fruit. He states
that the transfers Of many members Of the force
as high MS the rank OF Captain have been made
10 crafty personal spite or advance individual
or party interests and he believes that the non
| assignment and refusal to permit the Super n
| tendent of Police to assign two Captains OF Po-
Ice to any duty. save drawing their salary. sine,
/ Sept l3. 1873. TO the present time. is ineXcus-
| able.
He alleges that there IL n dilatoriness in i'm
| pos ng punishments on offenders. apparenily
| measured by the number and strength Of the
| the attempt to remit fine. regularly imposed
| upon patrolman. and which became n portion
| OF the pension fund. under the law sacred and
| inviolahls. indicates a des ire To tamper with
that fund. which is unpardonahle. lie insists
| that II WIS n Rrievous wrong 10 refrain fOI
| three months from awarding pensions 10 petit
TONERS entitled 10 IL under the law-some ol
| them 60 years old-until new statute became
| operative. and their rights hrrame obscure. and
! the amount of pensions dmin shed.
And he states further That the evils and
| abuses, som" ot which are above alluded to nre
known 10 exist by all the mrmhers of the Poll "a
| Bonrd Just rs We'll MS to Commissioner Erhurdt
| months hnve witnessed most rapid drmorhlI
| zatioQ OF the force. which still continues aud
| he states in conclusion. that he IL unwilling 10y
| his silence To seem longer 10 be responsible for
| the acts OF four men with the power of ono only
| JOEL b. ERHABDT
| Chairman of Committee on Rules and Discipline
! The attention Of Commissioner Smith was
| called to Mr. Erhardts manifesto last evening
| He said that he WIS glad that Mr.. Erhardt had
| so quickly followed his charges with sp-citca-
| tons. as il would give him an opportunity Ia
answer. He will probably have his reply ready