The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-12-22
Says He Bled Gamblers and Fast
Women to the Tune of Hundreds
Of Dollars Each Month.
HE DIVIDED THE TRIBUTE
PAYING PART TO INSPECTORS WILL
LIAMS, MAVOY AND OTHERS.
Serious Charges Against Commission
ers Sheehan and Martin-HOuses
Under Protection of Judges.

in command of the 'Tenderloin" district
made confession before the Lexow COM
mittee to-day to the effect that the entire
police system of New York city, with the
exception of Superintendent Byrnes and a
few others, was rotten to the core; that
blackmail and bribery, extortion and COR
ruption, were common crimes in the de-
partment and that mercenary methods alone
actuated his fellow officers. His charges
implicated Inspectors Williams and Nc
Avoy. ex-Inspector Steers. Police Commits
scners James b. Martin and John c.
Sheenan; Captains Price, Gastlin and Mar
tens, ex-Captain John Gunner and wardmen
Dunlap, Robert Vail and James Cannon.
Without question this has been the most
important day in the history of the Lexow
committee. Schmittberger's confession is
prolific of not only sensation, but of evil
dence which confirms and verifies what
have been hitherto considered the most
exaggerated cases of police and official cor
ruption Ii deals with more individual
cases; it shows the criminality that has
prevailed in the police department.
Captain Schmittberger is under indict-
ment for bribery. He had previously re-
fused to testify before the Senate COM
mittee. Yesterday, however, he was re-
arrested and his bail increased. To-day he
took advantage of an offer of immunity
from punishment held out to him by Coun-
sci Goff and agreed to make a clean breast
of it.
The pillars of the church are fallen"
said he, on the witness stand this after
noon, land deem it due my conscience,
my wife and my children to tell what 1
know" Meanwhile dark CIRCLES had crept
under his eyes, his face assumed a sickly
pallor, an air of utter wsariness and de-
lection possessed him, and he appeared, as
he was, in extreme mental torture and
agony. But no spirit of sympathy, moved
the throng of spectators. Sneers ami sar-
castle laughter instead answered the ac-
acknowledgement of his WEAKNESS. when, at
last, Counsel Goff permitted him to vacate
the witness stand.
RIGHTEOUS INDIGNATION.
The city tonight is not turbulent with
excitement as 1t was just a week ago on the
occasion of Captain Creedon's confession.
Instead, an atmosphere of suppressed in
dignation prevails. In official circles no at
tempt is made in contradiction or deroga-
ton of Captain Schmittberger's allegations
and everywhere is heard the comment: 1T
could not have been worse; it must end"
The news that Schmittberger had consented
to tell all he knew spread through the city
with the speed of whirlwind, and drew to
the committee room vast throng of citi-
zens, who almost clamored and struggled
for admission. In political and official cir
cles this intelligence created a furore.
Father Ducey was present this morning
before Senators Lexow, OConnor and
Pound arrived. Police Captains Creedon and
Westervelt also occupied spectators seats
Police Justice Voorhis held consultation
with Mr.. Goff. In response to questions
Justice voorhis said he expected to go on
the witness stand soon. He had turned
over all his bank books to Mr.. Moss and
anxious to vindicate himself against
the allegation made by John w. Reppen-
hagen and Captain CreedoE Justice Voor-
his said he had not been subpoenaed. He
appeared voluntarily and was ready to
not permitted to testify he would send a
written statement to the committee
1t was late when the first witness, Adoph
Rheinhart, was called. He had last night
been served with subpoena, signed John
w. Gof. The signature proved to have been
the many annoyances suffered by him. He
remarked that the work of the committee
did not deal with personal affairs.
Policeman Charles Holland, the next wit
ness owned a private residence at 1889 Am
sterdam avenue, eight lots in Forty-sixth
street, six lots in OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
second street, an fiat house value at
$225Oo. He had been fifteen years police
man.
And you you bought all this property out of
Certainly not. have dealt in real estate
with A. NJ. Bradley, of the Bloomingdale
Asylum, and made all my money that
Captain Schmittberger was then called
You are a captain in the Ninteenth pre-
cinct?' began Mr.. Goff
"You recognize the binding character of
II do. and I have come here to tell the
This answer created sensation in court.
Senator Lexow then warned the witness
OF the danger OF perjury, MT mn. Con, Con- excused
HE HAD A PULL"
Schmittberger said he joined the force in
1874. and was before that a confectioner.
He paid nothing to be made patrolman.
He was first assigned to the "Tenderloin''
precinct He was there two years and
knew the precinct well. His duties at first
were on account of pull. he had with the
sergeant at the desk
ut has been said that ward politics has
something to do with promotions; is that
SOP
''Yes, it is"
well. what influence can these politi-
.They can exert an influence through the
commissioners and the sergeants, for fear
of removal"
Captain, have you ever heard of a case
where a patrolman paid a sergeant any
money TO be assigned to light work.
Yes, have heard of them"
In answer to further questions, Captain
Schmittberger gave it as his opinion that
the policemen appointed fifteen years ago
make better policemen in every respect than
the recent appointments.
Now, Captain, testimony has been taken
here that there are number OF men in
this city who are known as 'go-betweens
They are really not connected with the de-
partment, but in order TO get an appoint
ment; ~ - ne necessary Az 10 & go 10 tnem; 90
There is Charles Grant, Commissioner
McClaves secretary and a man named
Meyer. a taifor on Broadway"
Captain Sehmittberver admitted that, ow.