National Republican., 1883-01-23
THE DETECTIVES MUST GO.
The New Law Turns Them All Out-ThC
Investigation TO Go On-Nhnt Ais the
District Attorneys

The New Law Turns Them All Out--Thc
Investigation TO Go On-NVhnt Ais the
District Attorneys
The bill reorganizing the police force, which
was printed in full in THE REPUBLICAN at
the time of its preparation by the commits
sioners has now passed both houses of con-
grcss and only awaits the Presidents sigma
ture to become law. II empowers the COM
missioners to increase the force of privates up
to three hundred, but this provision cannot
be made available until the first of July next
without additional appropriations.
The most important section is that which
abolishcs the detective force, and this will
take effect ut once. Whether this will allow
the bottom to drop out Of the investigation
that has been carried on by Commissioner
West cannot now be said, although il is hardly
likely that he will continue the inquiry into
the conduct of the detectives after they cease
to become district employees. Such of the
cases az implicatc members of the regular po-
lice force, either officers or privatcs, will
without doubt be thoroughly investigated, so
that their guilt or innocence may be ascer-
tanned.
The new police bill provides for the detail
ing of privates to serve rs detectives, and the
selection of men for this duty will be made
only after the most careful dcliberation. The
commissioners have the entire force to pick
| from, and as il Is known that the majority of
the privates have been faithful and efficient
in the performance of their duty, it is believed
| that six men can be selected who will prove
capable detectives, and who will be honest in
their dealings with police headquarters and
| with the citizens-at least for time.
The testimony which has been taken by the
| commissioners thus far in the investigation
will be probably transmitted to the district
attorney for such action as he may. deem
proper although, as prominent official re-
marked yesterday to REPUBLICAN reporter,
lie don't seem inclined TO do anything"
why" said this gentleman, " he has had
| this case of Miss Ellis for several days, and he
/ has made no effort TO bring the matter to the
attention of the grand jury. Is it possible
| that CrOokcdness can have crept into that
| office? 1t certainly seems so to me. The
nollc pressing Of the case against Mant2
| by Mr., Taggart seems, in the light
of the statements of Miss Ellis, Mrs
! Mcdonald, and Lieut.. Guy, to have been
! little short of criminal. If the district at
| torney won't take cOgnizance of this matter
why don't the grand jury itself summon the
parties and get their full statements under
oath2 Pm inclined to think that there is
something wrong somewhere
The reporter rCjoincd that tho views he had
expressed were held by Il large number OF
people.
Continuing, the gentleman said: "What
excuse can Maj. Morgan possibly offer for not
placing his hand upon Mr.. Williams when he
showed him Miss Elliss watch and compelling
the restoration of thepropcrty? lie certainly
believed il was Miss Elliss watch, for he went
to her and told her he had had her watch in
his hands, and that he thought il would be
given up, Then think of Lieut.. Guys
statement. The day of the trial, a'
he was going into court, he was
asked by Williams if Miss Ellis
was going to identify Hall as the thief Guy
said she would. Williams then said that il
she did this she would never get back hei
property. She did identity him, and she
never has recovered her property. Isn't thi:
something for the grand jury to inquire
into?"
The reporter said he was not answering
conundrums, and the conversation dropped
but he considered IL worth recording, as il
might set the general public thinking in the
same direction.