Workmen's advocate., 1890-04-26

'"' N'ANh fhhtNt III NllC IlhuNS of the District Attorney. But, to the best Of our knowledge no steps were ever taken either by the Police Board or by the District Attorney. It was merely gwen out unotiiciaIly, through the press, that this sudden. brutal, murder ous assault upon inoffensive men and women was a "mstakem
 In reply to inquiries looking or legal redress and for the indemnitication of the persons who had been disabled we were advised by Counsel that the time and effort and especially the expense in such cases were so great that justice was practically a luxury in which work. ing men could not indulge.
 We submit that the facts above re. lated constitute a fragrant violation of private and public rights, and mon strous violation of the constitution and laws of this State and the United States, by which the right of free meeting and free speech, so essential to the work lngs of democratic institutions and the peaceful progress of civilization, is abso- lutely guaranteed.
 And in view of the notorious readiness of the Police of this city to violate such rights, Tn view of the fact thst such violations are perpetrated with absolute lmpunity, and in view of the great labor elgh[hour demonstration to be held on May l, on the same public square, it is of the highest importance to the wage workers of this City and State that their legislators investigate such outrages and immediately take adequate measures for their prevention by proper legisla- tion.
 All of which is respectfully sub mitted.
 Dated April IS, 1890.
 $. E. SHEvITCH
 A DELABAR
 T. B. WAKEMAN
 Committee.
 The additional memorandum is as follows:
 The working people of the city of New York request the investigation of the Police Department and the general con duct of the police, with the view of ob- taining legislation to remedy the follow. ing grievances--
 1. The power to arrest for "disorderly conduct without any adequate state- ments of the facts, followed by impri. sonr.ent and fine upon the oath of tiIe policeman only and without a jury trial.
 3. The use of the spy and detective systems to procure the commission of crime, and to follow people when no charge has been made, and very gener- ally for purposes of blackmail or revenge, or the favor of the moneyed or vicious classes.
 3. The assumption of tie police to allow no public meetings without their consent, contrary to our State and United States constitutions.
 4. The assumption of the police to control the conduct of meetings and to place their spies and reporters in charge of the same and to make stenographic minutes of the same, with the threat of prosecution.
 5. The dispensing of meetings which are unpopular with the moneyed and vicious classes-ss at the Tompkins square meeting Ill 1874 and the Progress sive Labor party in 1887, October 8.
 6. The assumption of the police that any new views in social, industrial or political reforms are contraband and that their advocates are to be prescribed and discrimlnated against in the enforce ment of the laws and the hiring of halls or the holding of meetings.
 7. The Police Department should not be able to shield its members from re sponsibility before the laws for their illegal acts, including unnecessary club ping and violence, but should be com pelled to give the names of their offend CTS, who should be responsible as other wrongdoers before an impartial tribunal, or the department should be itself liable in all such cases.