New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-04-04
VHAT CITY DEPARTMENT NEATf
LABOR MEN ARRMGN THE POLICE AND WANT
THE FAssETT COMMITTEE TO INvEsTI-
GATE THERE.

GATE THERE.
The State Senate Committee on Cities will meet
In Part II of the superior Court tomorrow morning.
when William NJ WINS said last night, the invcsisa
ton OF the sherifs Office viii be finished. and that Of
another department he was not vet which, will be-
begun. He will put all the recent deputy shcrhs On
the witness stand and ask each Of them a few
questions. Then he will introduce in evidence an
accountants report and the agony will be over 50
far a. the Sherir's Office is concerned.
IL sincerely hope" said Mr. WINS. for the sake
Of the City Of New York, that none Of the other de
partments will make such disgraceul exhibition as
did the sherif's Office. Yes. it is true that ! had a
talk with Inspector Byrnes but it matters IN
the line Of my business. which did not necessarily
bear on the Fassett investigation. called on the
Inspector and we smoked cigars and had quite long
and friendly chat That's all there is about that
The Central Labor Union and Building Trades sec
ton recently appointed committee Of three to pen
ton the Fassett Committee to investigate the Police
Department and police courts. The petition a.
drawn up is a long and reccs many charges
against the Police Department body. while
acknowledging that some members Of the force
cOnscientously do their duty. The petition, in part
is as follows:
The force as body Is dishonest brutal. criminal 1t
reduced the Of blackmsiling TO science main
tanned a system Of terrorism exerted it-ef IN inc
interests OF certain cand dates and established SYST III
espionage respectable citizens 70 prosecute them
Promotion does depend merit; man must buy
his grade.
matter Of notorety that police officials regularly
levy tribute every immoral den in the city, that GIN
ni-keepers compelled pay for police protection
Every gambling in the city pays for the privilege
o. existence. Police officers have acted agents Tor
certain brands Of liquor. and einmikecpeIs who pur-
chased 1t were allowed 10 do business day and night
while those Systematically prosecuted
Policemen compelled sorekeepeIs 10 purchase tickets
for entertainments In which high officials Of the Depart
ment Interested.
As many $500 charges have been preferred
against policemen in single year We say that
Tor every charge preferred three offences committed
To-day there prison policemen who were con-
vced Of murder, robbery and other crimes Scores OF
policemen have been arrested within brief period fOa
robbery assaults larceny burglary, exofton and Of
fences against 1t IS common occurrence for
policemen 70 spend hours at time In gnms ana leave
heir posts unprotected.
Policemen frequently induce prisoners, by promises
Of leniency, 70 hire certain lawyers. Prisoners are
brought into police battered TO such degree
that magistrates have felt called upon 10 rebukc tho
policemen who welded their clubs so cruelty. In
scores Of instances the police have openly taken sides
against strikers clubbing and arresting them and their
pickets and getting nOnunonsts 70 take the place OF
union men driving for railroad companies and sc
eepting fayors from them.
We respectfully request that you will also investigate
The management Of the police courts and learn why II j.
mat police justices only violate the law but encour-
age crime ty discharging caught In the act OF
violating the law. while poor men, guilty OF no offence
are either fned held for trial the mere allegation
OF man.
ested VIII present the petition TO the Fassett Com
nittee tomorrow.