New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-02-24
THE POLICE INQUIRY.
DIR. PARKHURST FEARS 1T WILL FALL
THROUGH
NO PROVISION. HE SAYS. FOR THE PAYMENT
or COUNsEI1-HE THREATENS TO SPEAK
Dr

NO PROVISION. HE SAYS. FOR THE PAYMENT
or COUNsEL-HE THREATENS TO SPEAK
OUT PLAINLY.
The long delay in obtaining counsel for the State
Senate Committee TO investigate the Police Depart
ment in this city and the rumors that the investi-
cation may be stopped for political reasons have
caused painful msgvings in the minds of number
OF the who have earnestly advocated a
thorough investigation John w Golf, who has
been considering an offer of an appointment one
OF the committees counsel. had long consultation
with the Rev. Dr. Parkhurst yesterday. Later Dr.
Parkhurst said:
1.-The question Of counsel is still unsettled. 1t
will be impossible obtain the consent of able law
yers to act counsel in the investigation before
the Senate has taken action to provide for APP
preparation the counsel fees and the in
cidental expenses. Thus far the Senate has not
done the first thing to make of Il thorough
investigation of the Police Department in this city.
The committee appointed to make the investga-
ton came down here with the idea that it would
cost practically nothing. l think that the commit
tee as a whole meant well. | have the highest
confidence in the good faith Of Chairman Lexow
in particular. and think that he feels keenly the
situation in which the committee has been placed.
The investigation. to be satisfactory and thorough.
will cost good deal of money. Able lawyers can
not afford to give their time to an investigation
lasting several months. and If they could they
would not be willing to meet the incidental ex-
penses in the way OF obtaining evidence and put
ting IL into shape
Did not the resolution under which the committee
appointed authorize the payment of all such
expenses" DR. Parkhurst asked.
''Tha. amounts TO nothing" he replied LOOK
al the of the Fassett Committee. Mr.. WINS,
who acted as the counsel of that committee never
has received pay for his services. not ~ mention
the incidental expenses. TO appoint a committee
% make such an important investigation without
making appropriation for counsel fees and ex-
peases in the way of procuring evidence Is Ike
passing a law without the enaciing claus"
How could the Senate make appropria ton be
fore Il is known how large sum may be needed
for such fees and other expenses"
They might make tentative appropriation. !
hanging by a very sender thread Mr. Con tod
me today that Chairman Lexow was in the CITY
bit rad not called 10 consult with him ] have not
heard OF the presence Of any other member OF the
committee IN the city to-day. II anything stops the
Investigation now Il viii be political influence. The
practical politicians VIII stop at nothing to promote
partisan advantage We in the city have been going
forward in a straight line that knows no turning
and We will continue our own investigation even
fail. Important information which would be useful
in the investigation IS coming to us every day"
make thorough investigation without the aid OF
counsel IT.. ,o,,,, No, ho ,,o,,,... ~,
only prcking the skin II Is necessary probe 10 the
very vitas of the evils II any good is to come OF
the investigation. The evidence must be handled by
lawyers who give sufficient time 10 1t. Mem
bers OF the committee would not be able 10 devote
their time for months 10 the investigation IL will
be great pity If the investigation is not allowed 70
proceed / know Of political Influences which are al
work TO stop the inquiry. and II they succeed VIZ,
SPEAK PEAK S1I plainly Hn n"' oPPGbozn tho
ton OF the Police Department by the Committee
contained this sentence: SAID committee is eiren
authority send for persons and papers to en-
poy stenographer and such counsel and other as
sistants as Il may deem necessary. and TO hold
No member OF the committee could DO found In
this city last evening.