New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-04-02
4 CURT LETTER TO THE MAYOR.
THE LIEDERKRANz AND THE POLICE.
STRONG PROTEST ny A ooMMTTEE OF THE
socIRrY-MR. GRANT NOT SATISFIED,


STRONG PROTEST by ooMMTTEE OF THE
socIETY-MR GRANT NOT SATISFIED,
The committee Of tho German LiederhranE having
IN charge the socetys protest regarding tho alleged
unlawful and unwafrantabIe action Of the police upon
the occasion Of tho Eederkranz masked ball, on tho
night Of February u sent letter to Mayor Grant yes
to-day which is singing review of the proceedings
of the Police Board In tho case, and bold and UNI
eQuivocd ayTaignment OF Police Captain Reilly, his
personal veracity and his Official management OF his
precinct After referring to the Mayors letter and
suggestions of March 1e transmitting to the committee
Captain Reilys report and the Police COMMISSIONER
reply, the letter proceeds as follows;
We feel 1t incumbent upon u.s. in the discharge Of
duties to acknowledge that the thanks Lcderkranz
Society are eminentiy due TO you for the kind prompt
and energetic manner with which you have dealt with
the protest Of the society heretofore presented TO in
demanding OF the Board Of Police thorough investigation
into the matters therein alleged and forth. Con-
spcuousy strange however, and in contrast with your
expressed intentions appear the eouivoes proceedings Of
majority Of the Commissioners constituting the Board
OF Police who appear anxious conceal rather than to
disclose the outrageous conduct and brutal treatment
hihi.ed by the police the night OF masquerade
reception Of the German ieerkranz. The weak subter
fdge 10 which resort made In unushably delegstng
authority through intermediate channels to the very
ofeer whose caeia conduct appears be nvolvedthus
substituting him for them weigh and consider the
matter referred to them by your Honor-s which
We know was never contemplated by you, and betrays
either intention 10 defeat the motive In seeking
Jest conclusion through fair and impartial efarna-
ion inclination, prompted by Partially aud fear.
to avert grave and serious responsibility for outrageous
proceedings Previous custom In similar may have
given the Board assurance proceed in this farccal
manner and we submit hat such disregard Of superior
authority should that It should be remembered
TINT such trYesty upon justice has tendency
In the minds Of police officials IN idea that they
the masters not the servants of the people this
m hava ~ IA
captain In whose precinct more public immortality
VIGOROUSLY exists and indecent outrages
mitted than in any other in this city evidences policy
OF evasion ard fear Of exposure instead Of that rigid
examination and close scrutiny which people Of this
city have right to expect from the department. to whose
consideration the protest in question referred, and
whom they must look for protection ard when
life, peace and property are threatened.
We depore the fact that early your admins
traon the Lederkranz Society should be compelled to
figure complainant tefore you and kesnly regret
that request has been set at naught and desire
manifested to disregard appeal for redress.
The innuendo under which Captain Reilly seeks
shield his unworthy acts when he states that there
no violence used the part Of the Officers whatever but
simply "nms weILmsnnered exercise Of authority such
the and the condition the parties called
for" is Without the slightest foundation IN fact and
base fabrication the Of which tends strongly
to show ths weakness OF his and the desperation
his defence.
The treatment which The Board Of Police has seen at to
give this matter renders any fher proceedings before
the Board inpraetcabie giaringy presents system
OF mastery inactivity which has heartily exhausted public
patience. and metods which should longer be allowed
TO obtain. Under Its protection" outsages have been
encouraged end evils permitted exist without any ap
parent effort to suppression and which have become 80
notorious that deem It duty call your attention
to It, particularly IA this case.
Undes all the circumstances submit the matter for
such action Is your Honor may deem NJ and proper.
WILLIAM vIGELlUs, PAUL GoEPEL
JOSEPH KOCH, f. h MINRATH,
JOHN Won CLAIM.
Mayor Grant said after reading the communication
that certainly contained Some startling charges but
Just what he ought TO do In the matter he was not
prepared to say He had asked the committee TO
point out what action In their opinion the case de
nanded but they had only mado charges against
the police management. The Mayor said that he
further steps.