New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-04-08
FICE ENDED.

SHERlFF'S OF.
FIcE ENDED.
The State Senate Committee on Cities. sitting
in Part III OF the Supreme Court, with State
Senator Hendricks, the chairman, presiding, yes
terday finished the investigation of the Sherif's
Office, and as it was "oiT with the old
love was on with a ncw"-the Board of Alder.
men.
The Sheriff inquiry ended in a mass Of figures.
tame ny contrast with the interesting facts that
spice the earlier part of the record. One interest
ing morscl, however, was added to the array Of
charges of legalties in the adminisl ation of the
Sherfs office in the testimony Of Police Justice
kibreth who said that in his opinion the Sheriff
performed an unnecessary work in reporting police
court convictions TO the Secretary of State, and
that he had no right to receive appropriations Of
money for this service
The inquiry into the Board OF Aldermen's a.
fairs opened in a most lively manner. The second
witness called on this subject was ex-Alderman
\. r. Conkling, whose story of his experiences dur
ing his two years membership Of the Board was
of scandals, boodle," improprieties, undue
influences, attempted eXtorton and corruption.
Much of what Mr. Conkllng said was hcarsay"
evidence But the efforts of Corporation Counsel
Clark TO have the witness confess that he only
retailing mere gossip resulted IN uIScOnlutuc. Mr
Conkling disappointed Mr. Clark by furnishing
few names and few specific instances. In two
Of the instances cx-Aldcrman Bowling con-
cerned ii had come to Mr.. Conkling's knowledge
that men interested in the East River Tunnel and
in the College Point Ferry Company, which ap-
Piled for franchises, had been approached
the subject of money" and the man who made
the approach in each case was eX-Alderman
Bowling.
The first witness called was Henry NJ Taiy ac-
oountant, who explained the statement Of the
Shcrins legal fees and expenditures put III evil
dcnce on Saturday, and printed on Sunday in The
Tribune.
Deputy Controller Storrs was examined as to
appropriations by the Board of Estimate and Mr.
WINS asked him TO explain by what legal right
appropriations made for reporting police court
convictions The witness produced a written
opinion by Mr.. Lacombe. when Corporation Coun-
sell Said Nh Wins:
oIut 4, any question involved In this opinion
other than that Of the number Of convictions charged
f0rl A-The question involved was as 10 he egan'y oA
the BILLS OF the Sheriff
Q-But there discussion OF the authority OF law
by which Board OF Estimate made these appropra-
tions7 A.-No, sir.
Police Justice Kilbreth testified substantially
that reports OF convictions in police courts by
quired by the law The Board of Police Justices
sent in a report on that subject TO the Secretary
of State which covered the ground. lie held.
and gave reasons why. that convictions by police
justices in police courts were not criminal con-
yictions and the Sheriff is by law only required
to report convictions for crime.
Doirke Cockran-Do you as a police magistrate in tho
city OF claim the right TO exile citizens 70 has
Siberia We call Black"cis lsahu upon your o"n H''"
Al do not.
o.-what steps do you before you put man u
nill You must have an inquiry Ayes.
O.-And a convictonl Ayes
o.-And it is OF an onence7 Ayes.
Mr. Cochran sat down smiling. \ few minutes
afcrward it was announced that the investigation
of the Sheriffs Office was over.
Mr.. Cochran gave up his part Of friendship
babe cood-byc to Senator Fassett, told the re-
porters that he would come back when the pro-
cecdinr, got dull and left the room. But
tie proceedings showed signs of getting dull
The examination into the Board of Aldermen was
lively and interesting from the start
Captain Francis j. Twomey, the clerk OF the
Board took the stand and gave some information
as TO the uses of the appropriations for the Alder
men and as TO the election of the Aldermen.
Mr. Ivns-I, It true that the Board Of Aldermen - It
present constituted neither represents locality interests
properly or thoroughly numerical maJoes properly
m horouchy Alt the same in the city gov.
ernmcnt a. the Assembiymen in the state government
O-would be possible FOR the Legislature by some
proper provide Tor the redstributng OF the As
,embly Districts OF NewYork in way to give both better
numerical and better locality representation! Ayes sir
eo ! think the city should be represented by ~afds
o-Thc wards really represent the old locality feelings
to a much larger eNtrntl Ayes. sir.
o-Entircly Independently OF the fact as to what the
prc,en, Assembly division Is there ought to be
Of the city into wards for the purpose OF
Aidcrmanic representation Ayes sir. representation
In the local government
(Which wards should be made to conform nearly
possible to proper locality representation and to the numer
ical representation Ayes. sir.
Mr. Wins questioned the witness with regard to
meetings Captain Twomey said the Board met
usually once week. Some of the committees
met frequently. others very seldom
The examination of Captain Twomcy was inter-
ruptqd in order that James p Archibald, represent
ing the Central Labor Union. might be heard.
Mr.. Archibald said that he represented twenty
trade and labor organizations, with about $4,000
members who wanted the committee to investigate
the Police Department. If the committee would
do 80 the Central Labor Union pledged itself
,o give such assistance and support in the matter
as il could.
Mr. Iyins-IIave you any definite complaint to make
against the Police Department? ANot now When
We ind the committee is willing to investigate.
then we will present specific cases.
senator Fassctt-You must have some reason for
making this request the comn.tteel Ave have
We belieye that this department f. mismanagcd
O-ls IL the only that Is ni>managcdf A.-No.
hut IL IS the only that has TO do with We have
been badly treated by them in several strikes in this
city which sought to inaugurate At the Progress
club our people arrested between two and three
months ago. They alleged TO be intnldating.
Giant you specify other instances A.-Not just
now don't desire until we lind that the committee
is willing to investigate this department
Mr. Boardman said there wasn't any doubt
whatever that the committee would investigate
the Police Department or any other if any facn
were brought before 1t on which it could proceed.
Senator Fassett said " | don't suppose there ID
the slightest doubt of it, This committee is here
under very full powers but it is hardly fair for
people to come and say this department is rot
ten and that department is rotten. We have
had invitations from Rochester, New Utrecht,
LII. Inn. io.or