New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-04-20
LAXNESS OF THE POLICE.
TIE PREVALENCE OF VICE AND CRIME.

WITNESSES BEFORE THE ROOSEVELT COMMITTED
The Assembly Special Committee was repre-
scented yesterday by the chairman, MI kooscNei ana
Mr. Nelson they having been appointed by their assoc
aes a subcommittee to take testimony. The proceed
ings wero comparatively mintcresng. The audience
was small None Of the Police Commissioners was there,
the department being represented only by Judge Russell
The first witness Patrolman Henry IT, SCH H. OF the
Twenty-nnh Precinct against whom charges were pre-
fe1ed In connection with raid by Mr. COmsocE on al"
Adans's gambling Mr. ComstOck had alleged that
the officer in the back OF the station when he en-
tered to make his requiston for men, but Immediately
ran out; and when the raid attempted it was found
that the inmates had received warning and escaped
The witness was asked by Mr. Miller respecting the
charges preferred against him III that case He replied
that he had been indicted but the Indictment dis
scd He had gone to the District Attorney two or three
times and demanded trial Mr. MoKeon hnaly went TO the
Recorder said there merit In the and asked
for dismissal The witness said he had no knowledge
Of intervention in his behalf by captain Williams The
wness's beat extended in Twenty-seventhst. from
Fourth to Seventh avea and covers the period nom to
IL at night or from midnight 10 in the morning lie
was familiar with all the houses In that locality, but
claimed that he was unable make arrests because OF
the watchfuness OF offenders. He had no knowledge OF
money paid to policemen for protection.
Michael O'Malley, OF No. I4J West Twcnty-scyenhst
testified his experience in passing through that street
He made long statement to which he rec'ting the
evils which abounded. While he admitted that the police
had always shown willingness TO do what they could
he believed that unnformed policemen detailed for the
purpose could do much He said tina, little children
were employed to watch for the approach Of the regular
paromen. he saw almost daily liquor conveyed from
wagons into the houses, where he believed 1t
sold without license, he frequently saw men enter
the places sober and come ont greatly intoxicated
Charles E. Campbell testified great length rs to his
knowledge OF gambling resorts in this city lie gave
his opinion that gambling houses are AZ present pretty
generally closed though he had not himself been vSinG
places OF this character for the past year lie declared
that he had never given police officer directly or ind-
recly, u dollar for protection, and had never heau
gamblers that they had done lie SAID ne ba
himself dealt farobank. He had always deat on 'he
level" and had cheated man out OF quarter III
his he.
Detective Eticnne Bayer, Of the Tenth Pre- cno was
questioned respecting the policy and gambling houses IN
his district He said he had made many arrests but
could never conviction for want Of absolute
proof lie bad frequently visited the oub house over
the liquor store Of Edward Mury, in the house at No
272 Granst said to be owned by John J. OBren, but
| he never gambling there.
George Johnston the steward of the club referred
TO- said he had MP 90 within years dealt faro bank
hut had abandoned the business. lie always under
the impression that Mury owned the house He stated
his business 10 be that of Spectator The club he said
consisted of about twenty members who sustained the
establishment by private subscription. He declined
give The uames OF the members He stated that cards
PLAYED there but no gambling took place. The IL
| uuOrs used were furnished by MuIy.
Edward Mulry was recalled and John E Brodsky, who
had been present throughout the proceedings aud repre-
scented him counsel objected to the questions put by
Mr. Miller. The witness however revealed nothing ad
doDal in the way O testimony and permitted
to etire. He was follow ed Ivy John T.. simmons upon
some points of testimony given q week before concern
ing which MI Miller desired HIM 20 refresh his memory
lie had been ,the stand but few when the
sergeant arms had been dispatched for Frederick
Lnhy. returned with ms man MT tnthy came IN coy
with dnst and In great state OF Indignation at be
ng called upon such short notice. without having time TO
pert and caustc. He pleaded for decay until Monday,
saying he would not run away, this country
nice lie proposed 10 1gh it here until he died Hc
asked Mr. Russ6 10 protect him. hut send bill
raids made nv PnkeTtOn's the shops OF simmons
He denied having said 10 Mr.. Allen DepIty Assistant
that there "A combination and ARRANGEMENT under
which, 10y the payment OF certain sum, he and those
doing business through the lottery headquarters
he projected by the police. lie unblushingy admitted
that he had practse the mehsd charging M amounts
as Ypcnsrs putting the money, the two
three hundred dollars month"; into his own pocket.
his house. lie said Luthy bad told
him more than twenty times that he had pad
money t0 the police he burden Of his complaint al
WAYS was that there lltle profit in the business
cost much 10 get protection from the police
Mr. Aliens attention called the testimony Of OIL
Ger Schil In regard dismissal OF the indictment
against him rho tndorsement upon Sebilfs paper
10 the effect that District Attorney having stated
the Recorder there merit In the case the lat
directed Its dismissal. The witness did doubt,
the Endorsement was Ia Recorder Smyths handwritin,
that he hal believed that The DstrictAtOrney regarded
the without merit, but ne or the Impression
that the District Attorney himsef hut else.
had made the statement Ia the Recorder
The committee adjourned nnti Tomorrow at 10 o'clock
l. IL thou H., likely that that will he the last session
for the animation OF witne ses for several weeks.