New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-04-03
TIE POLICE And THE GRAND JURY.

THE POLICE And THE GRAND jury.
The gist of the prescntmcnt made to Re
cOrder Smyth by the Grand jury on nday Is
this that the existence in large numbers of
vicous and unlawful establishments is so IN
consistent with the proved discipline and skill
of the Police Department as TO produce the
conviction that they pay for the immunity
which they enjoy. The preSentment gives
official expression to prevalent opmon' ana
that is It's chief value. 1t makes no novel or
startling accusation. but it cmbodies and puts
on record the general belief of the community.
Whether or not it leads to indictments, it serves
= useful purposc. nasmuch as it tends to pro
mote the growing revolt against Tammany
Hall
The Grand Jury deserves cordial thanks ana
communication for its thorough work ana hfm
utterances, and not the less because some po-
lice officials are bitterly complaining OF mus
tice. Inspector Byrncs docs himself no credi'
by denouncing the prcsentment as a gross out
rage against a Police Department whose CHI
cheney cannot be equallcd in this or any other
country.o This is the sort OF response Which
greeted DR.. ParhhuIst's first decisive ana cou-
raceous arraignment of the Tammany ADMIN
istration In the mouth OF Inspector DylheS
we hope it means nothing more than unneccS-
sarv and unreasonable personal irritation. III
most cases it has meant either an insocnt con-
tempt of public opinion or anxiety finding cX-
preston in buster. The police officials MAKE
haste TO say that charges without indictments
are unjust and harmful, and repeat the s'aic
and meaningless assurance that they are now
and always ready to discharge any member OF
the force who is proved guilty OF corruption.
OF course nobody who had been convicted OF
bribe taking and sent to Sing sing would De
kept on the payroll, and it is merely silly 10
imagine or pretend that such talk as TINS IS
sufficient answer, or any answer at all 10 ''c
grave and weighty findings of Grand jury.
What arc the police authorities Wiling 10 40 III
advance of a conviction? That is the ques-
tion which interests the community. Are the!
Going 10 demonstrate that the differences drawn
from omen and prosperous dens OF wee are
false by closing and keeping them closed and
bringing their owners into court? Are they
going to reassure the community by I!siu
onnlication of reason TO the facts presented by
the Grand Jury? Are they gong TO institute
\ resolute investigation on their own account
and make their discoveries pubuc' VI are
they going to continue Boosting about the hhe''
nolice force in the world and complaining OF
ingratitude and injustice?
These are questions which II Is worth thcir
while TO answer whether they appreciate that
fact or not. For unless the signs OF popular
feeling are at fault, Tammany with all inc
implements of power in its possession Is Dc
Ginning 10 totter toward its fall. Its arraign-
mont bv DR.. ParlhurSt followed by the proofs
and specifications which were inSolently de-
handed its identification with the infamous
crimes which made the Legislature its creature
the base uses TO which it has put its fraudulent
majority at the State Capital the treacherous
and costly Jobs by which it has tired TO sWihdle
this CITY the singing rebuke which 1t has JUS.
received from tens Of thousands OF voters Oh
all nartcs. and this last fearless af1ifma'lon OF
IFS connivance at shameful and destructive
vcos-all these recent incidents and disclosures
are working together for its ruin. Inc hu-
mcrical majority against it is fast becoming
practical majority Inspector Byrnes talks
about resiening. We advise him instead OF IN
dulcing in these cheap Nominations to apply
all his sagacity and energy to the task Which
tbc Grand jury has set before him. Unlike the
one which preceded it, and which appeared 10
think that its mission was 10 cheer and strength
on evil -doers this body Of citizens fairly repre-
sented the intelligence and virtue Of the com
munity. 1t did needful work without finch
ing. and in consequence it has the public con-
fdence and appreciation. If the police au-
thorities are wise they will accept its admoni-
lions as the voice of the people and profit by
the stern warning which they have received.