The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-12-23

The developments made b the I-exow
committee ia SIS Investigations q the
police department n New York city. re-
veal an orzanlze1 System II blackmsli.
bribery and terrorism. reaching from the
lowest round Of the ladder 70 the TOP.
and Including officials ~ all ranks ard
classes. A regular scale 81 prices APP
pears to have been established for ap-
polntnent TO and promotion in the force.
II cost a certain sum-a few hundred
tloliars-te get on the force as patrolman.
several times as much for pronSotion 10
sergeant. and the price Of captainey
ran well up into the thousands. This was
apportioned. some q the TammaHy
treasury. and otherwise distributed
among the powers having the appoint
nsents in their gift.
The funds q Ray for THESE appoint
rnents and promotions we're collected
by system OF bsaekmail. 50 completely
organized and vigorously enforced that
avoidance OF The demands made upon
them was made impossible 10 the vic
tins. In this aickmailing system also
there appears to have been a regularly
graded scale Of prices. Gambling houses.
pool rooms, policy shops, houses Of pros
titution. and all the varied forms Of
iliegaiIty Town 10 the lowest dives where
thieves made their Rendezvous. each paid
constant and specified sum for police
protection" None escaped. save in ex-
ceptioaal instances, where powers higher
in authority than the poi.ce department.
OK -he police commission. interviewed in
defense Of their favorites.
This bisekmail. this blood-money, this
lniaui;ogs tax upon vice and crime, this
levy upon Elegailty. was collected and
distributed on a percentage basis. begin
ning with the original collector and end
ing somewhere in high Office not yet full
Is disclosed. TIE whole force is tainted
with corruption. The incidents proven
before the committee only serve To IL
lastrate the system and prove that IL
Families The entire department; that for
years a partnership. backed by power of
arrest and punishment on The one hand
and on the other immunity for open
violation of law, has existed between
the police department. and those whose
practices Il was sworn to prevent and
punish.
IL IS the outgrowth Of Tammany. OF
system that has from first 10 last de-
pended upon forced feyies. upon the
spells % Office. and the division thereof.
Tor It's political supremacy and long-ex-
f.. - Ia. a.
pcsures Of the Tweed regime. which
landed that posentate and several of his
coadiutors III crime within prison walls.
has there been such a shaking up Of
dry bones and display of Official perfidy
aud moral rottenness as the Lexow COM
mlttee has spread before the public gaze.
Whether the conviction OF 4 few police
officers Tor bribery and the discharge Of
many more VIII De the total result. Is
YET 70 be seen. Il Is apparent. however.
than the finest police force on earth
deserves that title. not FOR its honesty.
It's efficiency In suppressing vice ana
crime. but rather for its discipline, its
outward appearance and political pull
a compete reorganization is now being
urged by leaders Of the movement which
defeated Tanaaany last month. 1t Is
set doubtful however. whether this will
be accomplished, and more than prob
able that The vioarious punishment OF
a few offieers VIII finally end the mat
ter. satisfy the public. and leave the
system, although somewhat shattered.
capable * swift repair under more fay-
oraplo auspices.