New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-01-31
LIGHT IN DARK PLACES.
r,1r SENATE UNANIMOUS IN ORDERING
\ POLICE INVESTIGATION.

srx,r,r sAxToN WILL. ANNOUNCE THE NAMES
or THE COMMITTEE To-MoRRow-How
THE NEWS WAS RECEIVED
IN NETWORK.
rsoM TIE REGULAR coErEsroNirN1 OF THk TRIprNEl
Albany Ian. ga thorough investigation Of the
charges against the Police Department Of New
YORK which have recently shocked the people OF
.ba stale was assured today by the passage OF
senator Lexow's resolution for the appointment OF
a srecial committee to make such an inquiry
hacked by all the power of the Legislature to sum-
mon witnesses ma secure public papers 80 I'M
| rrsssive has been the demonstration of pubhc
niri,n IN support Of the movement for such an
,rves,lcation that even Tammany Hairs repre-
entatlves in the Senate fel, compelled to DOW 70 II
The resolution for investigation therefore,
passed by unanimous vote
when the resolution was announced, senator
Cantor was iInpelled say that he resented such
"vholesale Indictment of the Police Department
~ New-York as was Contained in It's preamble.
He declared that he was proud of the ponce force
Of New York. IL kept the rufiian and hghwaymdn
under: the streets were absolutely safe. Moreover,
4, enforced the Excise law. Senator Cantor &C
frovledced that there might be individuals upon
tho police force who not model policemen. but
these were the exception AS whole me ponce
to~ce did excellent work. He had no objection.
however 10 an investigation of the Police Depart
ment and should vote for the resolution
favor Of the resolution. making a great impression
upon the Senate. He said:
In the preamble these resolutions the Senate OF
MS Sfatr does not make charges against the police
t sa-S fbav simply recite charges winch have been
made time and time again by citizens OF New New
,ress and that have Oeen made by business So
cieties. In view Of the tact mat tnese charges
have been made ii has become our duty 10 take no.
ice OF them. | have been of the opinion All the time
that before We got through TINS session we snoGru
vesticatiOn as their truth or falslty. have
fhougnt that this Senate ought not to undertake any
Investigation unless some IesPohsipe persons OF New
Work would cooperate with Us and take charge OF
Sancn was to be procured. II seems. Mr. President
that associations have undertaken charge OF these
ntons asking that such an investigation be made,
ana / understand that the Board of Trade and
TRANSPORTATION has passed similar resolutions, also
,Sse circumstances and with that class OF peo-
na Knocking at the door of this Senate asking that
committee be appointed to inVe S S ms de
senate to pass these resolutions.
am not here to make any charges against the
listened with interest to the very eloquent words
Of nv friend Senator Cantor. in defending the
lei more about the facts after the investigation has
been closed; we can tell whether me charges are
dence. When that time comes IT will be safer 10
partment more intelligently than now.
50 far as it lies in ny power, the committee
CATION will make thorough inquiry of the matters
in their charge They will go to the bottom of this
are able 10. and hope in doing this they Will BE-
co-operated with by the citizens Of New-York City
act viii be brought light and dragged to light
ay this because mink this resolution should be
Idoptei. the minority of this House
annot afford TO go record against these reso-
utions
Senator O'Connor followed in strong speech in
he same tenor, affirming his belief that the men
4 high standing who had made the charges against
he department should have full opportunity to
prove them.
After few words of commentator of the pur-
poses Of the resolutions. Senator Lexow moved
their adoption, which followed without dissenting
vote.
Senator Saxton will announce the names Of the
pecia investigating committee on Thursday. Two
II its members certainly will be Senator
Lexow. who introduced the resolution. and there
fore by courtesy entitled to the craftsmanship and
(senator Saxton himself, whose appointment is d.
reced in the resolution
The report that the Senate had passed the
buttons calling for an investigation OF the Police
Department by unanimous vote caused some sur
prise at the Central Office yesterday The Commits
sioners heard the news when they holding
their regular meeting early in the afternoon. and
at the close of the meeting they had consultation
Mr. Martins room. Later they declined to give
any interviews TO newspaper men on the subject
President Martin said to a Tribune reporter; Il
do not think it would be well for us 10 make any
statements now II would be better to reserve what
we have to say until the investigation begins
Are you willing TO say whether you welcome the
investigation or not?' the reporter inquired.
Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof he
quoted IN reply.
DO you then regard the coming .nvestiga ton as
evil?'
"Oh. won't say that. Will have nothing 10
say on that subject at present.
The other Commissioners were equally reticent
and Superintendent Byrnes declared that he was
going 10 let other folks do the talking about the
Investigation until he had more time TO think about
II. 1t known, however, that some Of the Of
fcials at the Central Ofce have said that In
vestigation would clear he air OF some Of the
falsehOods that have been repeated about the de-
partment. ana perhaps clear the department Of
some of the bad material In H.
Mayor Gilroy said that. while he had no desire
70 discuss the necessity for the police Inquiry, he
hoped that 1t would be thorough, If undertaken at
through which it should be carried" the Mayor
added I should leave entirely to the discretion
Of the special committee"
tn Rev. DR.. PaTkhurst last evening expressed
Ais satisfaction with the action OF the Senate in
deciding BY unanimous vote to have investiga-
ton OF the Police Department. He sad: IF the
right kind Of committee Is sent here-lf IL IS
a committee which wants 20 get at the truth
spectiyc Of party politics; If IL Is willing to
70 the bottom of things without fear and without
favor, and IL ii will give immunity persons who
tain corrupt practices. the nvestiga ton bring
home 20 the Legislature OF what is required
for the city. | fully believe that the citizens OF
New-YOrk now awakened to the dangers Of the
present city government an are anxious TO have a
clean administration OF affairs. Tn. re will havs 10