New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-09
MEN WHO SHOULD TESTIFY.
,or1cE OFFICIALS FROM WHOM EN-
PLANTATIONS ARE DEMANDED.
..sprc-roRs WILLIAMS AND MLAUGHIIN EspE-
rAII.Y OUGHT TO GO BEFORE THE LEXow
SELVES IF THEY CANA FEELING
OF GREAT RELIEF APPARENT
Of GREAT RELIEF APPARENT
IN THE DEPARTMENT.

OF GREAT RELIEF APPARENT
IN THE DEPARTMENT.
since IL has been announced that the Lexow
romn,ttec will have only two more weeks in
,bich to complete the taking Of testimony in the
ryestigation Of the Police Department. there has
hssn a sudden lifting of the cloud of anxiety
and suspense which has been noticeable in that
department for many weeks. A feeling of relief
has spread itself through the department. What
over may be the cause. 1t is evident that a num-
ber Of the men holding high positions in the
nolice force have become satisfied that they are
safe from TIE disclosures which they had been
dreading They believe that the Lexow Com
mi,tee will not go as far as il had been expected
10 20 in the investigation. and the belief has
brought comfor; and confidence to a number of
hearts which beat in close proximity to gold
shields.
Neither Senator Lexow nor the counsel for the
committee will furnish positive information In
advance regarding the character Of the testi-
mony which is 10 be given before the committee
during the remaining two weeks. but there is
an In,maticn that police officials who have been
Implicated by the testimony of other witnesses
will not be called to the witness chair unless they
ask leave TO appear and vindicate themselves.
It's hardly to be expected that Police Inspectors
cused by number Of witnesses before the COM
mittee. will ask leave to give testimony in their
own behalf and submit to Mr.. Goffs cross-ex-
animation as Justice Roesch and Commissioner
Andrews did. but the public has a right TO de-
mand that these men shall be called before the
committee and subjected to a thorough investiga-
ton Of their records and official conduct II
will be exceedingly Disappointing 10 the COM
munity II such high officials are allowed 10 re-
main silent under the hideous and revolving ac-
cusatons which have been made public against
them and which have been repeated over and
over again with the greatest possible emphasis.
MEN WHO ARE IN A VERY BAD LIGHT.
No one disputes the sef-evdent fact that In
spectors Williams and Mclaughlin now stand in
q very bad light before the public. Evidence Of
the most damaging and appalling character has
been given against them by number OF wit
nesses, and everybody will believe that they are
guilty Of every crime which has been alleged
against them, unless they go on the stand before
the Lexow Committee and make satisfactory ex-
planations and satisfactory answers TO the test-
mony which has been given against them.
wILLIAMSS BAD REPUTATION.
Inspector Williams has earned most unenvia-
BE notoriety in this city for his brutality and his
contempt for the laws. for public and private
rights. and for public decency He is commonly
known as "Clubber' Williams. and no more brutal
police oficer has ever been known in this town.
His reputation for bad manners. coarseness. vul-
garity and viciousness OF language, profane and
filthy abuse Of DR.. Parkhurst and Of other re-
formen has been widespread. He has been
conspicuous disgrace to the Police Department
for many years. He was the captain OF the
Tenderloin Precinct for long time. and every
one knows what that means. 49,
Unless Inspectors Williams and Mclaughlin
insist upon being heard before the Lexow Com,
rnttee under oath, and demand "vindicatoh'
the belief In their guilt will be universal.
There have been reports that superintendent
Byrnes will be called as witness oy the
committee before the close Of the invesuga'oh'
and Senator Lexow has partly confirmed tne re,
ports by declaring that the superintendent VIII
be treated like any other witness YET couhseI
for the committee would not admit yesterday 'na
4, I'D baan decided 10 call Mr. Byrnes to the
witness chair. or that there could be any gooa
reason for having his testimony unless ne had
been implicated by the testimony OF o'her WIZ