New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-08-27
NOT TAKTNG THE HINT.


There is an evident disposition on the part of
some of the police officials to make it appear
that there is personal or official jealousy and
distrust betN cen the District Attorneys Office
and the Police Department. az an explanation
OF the failure of the latter to second the efforts
Of Mr.. McKeon in suppressing gambling III
its various forms Well, that is no sort OF ex-
cuse even if it be true. We are glad to see
that the DiStrct-AttOrney does not propose to
descend to personalities, or TO let the Commits
sioners' complaints of his distrust make him re-
lax his efforts. He viii have 10 sort of excuse
if ne does.
The police do not take the plain hint he gave
them by showing that with no more legal pow
crs and with only one-iiftieth of the force
with fifty men where the Commissioners had
2.5OO-he could break up pOOl-selling and
policy playing, as the police had not done. Let
him repeat the hint until they do take 1t. II
Mr.. McKeOn will show the public that the crime
exists that the criminals and Their haunts are
known to his detectives, and that practical
plans can be put into effect to arrest, hold and
trv them, he will not be long in convincing the
people that there is something more than ina
bility on the part of the police at the bottom
of their inactivity.
Why should not Mr.. McKeon repeat the hint
in another form7 Let him RAID the police force
itself7 There is not patrolman of any expert
ence, OF one of sagaclty enough to he worthy
of his position who does not know every I'M
licensed saloon, gamblng-h house, policy-shop
and every other disrt putable resort on his beat
There is not single captain who does not
know every such place i'll his precinct, and
who does not keep list and particulars OF
them. knowing their existence, it is mere
matter OF command for him to secure their
instant disappearance. No law protects; al
tie laws prohibit them they have no nights
lie is a fool of a captain indeed who cannot
close such place 10y single nod to the Offend
lug lawbreakcI. Mr.. McKeon has shrewd
detectiveF at his lcck and call. Let him col
iect evidence against, say, score OF these de-
linquent policemen, and indict them. That
would create music III this particular atmOs-
phere, and possibly might clear il a little.
We do not believe that the Police Commits
soncrs fully recognize the strong public feeling
which exists in regard to their failure to sup
press the evils which have grown up unmo-
Tested by them Mr. MckeOn was under prom
Use to his supporters and to many individual
citizens to devote his energy and the powers
of his Office to the work which he has just now
begun. 1t was promise made before his cleo
ton. renewed alterward, and now repeated in
the assurance given of his purpose to carry it
ont with energy. Mr.. MckeOn will have the
firm support of public and press opinion be-
hind him, and if the police are Indifferent to
the success of the movement the police will 60
down in disgrace before that irresistible force.
Public-spirited citizens will investigate tie
police as they have heretofore investigated rings
which robbed the city, and Police Commission
ers who fail to do what the public demands
shall be done will find Themselves far weaker
than any ring which has Been OyorthrOwn.
Mr.. McKeOn has thus far employed only paid
private detectives TO aid HIM. What If he
should call for the voluntary assistance i'll col
lecting evidence of private citizens of public
spirit and nerve, and send formidable body
OF them before a Grand Jury with Instructions
10 indict such officials as may. have been found
protecting known criminals engaged iii Lottery
and policy and other gambling? More Singh
lar things than this have happened Al this city.