New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-10-05
MORE STARTLING TESTIMONY
THE STORY OF A WOMAN WHO WAS
"BLED" FOR YEARS.
SILVER DOLLAR SMITH AS 4 GO-BETWEE1

TOR WILLIAMS
Not much such testimony was given before
the Lexow Committee yesterday would be neces.
sary to convince the most optimistic person In
town that the men in Mulberry-st who have
been responsible for the character OF the New
York police force for many years either
fools or knaves. This conclusion is inevitable
The fact was shown that men who had openly
violated every rule of common decency, and had
ostenta tiously grown rich by blackmail and op-
PRESTON were retained protectors OF the pub.
l!c for many years and finally allowed to resign
and go into quiet retreats to enjoy the fruits
of their disgusting vilany. The breaking OF
half the force by the Commissioners could not
wipe out the fetid record which was disclosed
yesterday.
Susannah Martin an old German woman. testi.
fed that she had been engaged in keeping dis
orderly house in this city for twenty years and
during all that time she had paid blackmail to
the police. To ward man. Frank Wilson,
who suddenly decided to resign when the police
investigation began. she had given various sums
of money. ranging from $50 70 $500; she bought
clothing and jewelry for Wilson's wife ana
daughter. and she furnished his house for him.
All thir time she testified, Wilson's wife knew
where these things were coming from. and how
The police stuck to her like bloodsuckers so long
as she had anything. and then bounded her out
of the city.
Captain Cross was shown up in an unenviable
light He is alleged to have sent Silver Dollar
Smith TO Newark to secure protection for the
keeper Of a disorderly house after she had been
compelled to move away from this city.
incidentally the Excise Commissioners came In
for a good ha rd rap. l.. J. Robus. the proprietor
Of Richmond Hail. at Observation-Disclosures
st. and Eighth-ave, testified that he had PAID
$500 excise inspector TO get new license
The inspector told him an old license was TO be
transferred to him. but he never saw the old
license. and never heard in whose name II stood.
He declared it generally understood among
liquor dealers that this was the method which
must be pursued to get a new license. 1t was
never difficult to procure the new license If the
applicant paid the inspector $500 "to get an old
license transferred.'
This witness also that he sent $40 70
Captain Reilly while he was at the Thirtieth-st
station "as a Christmas present" Captain
Williams had also bee1 the recipient OF his
Christmas presents" in the shape OF cigars
costing SIS a box. Robus denied having ever
paid money TO Captain Williams. He swore also
that he paid SO each to Ward Men Brett and
Hayes. who were connected with the Thrtietn.
ST. station for allowing him to continue TO sell
drinks after | o'clock at ball held in Lyric
Hall 49,
James Taylor. iron merchant at NOS Zl
and 223 Merccr-st.. swOre that he paid 80 10
Ward Man Robinson. Of the Prirce-st. station. as
n bribe for allowing some awnings TO be put up.
He corroborated the story of the contractor. VINO
was ordered stop work until the police had
been "seen
Mr. Gerry appeared before the committee ana
tried 70 make an explanation In defence OF his
society but he was treated somewhat uncere-
monously and was not allowed 10 put anything
on the record unless he would be sworn and ap-
pear as a witness. This he declined TO do.
The principal witness OF the day was ap'
preached so late as yesterday morning by
brother of n policeman. and urged not TO obey .
summons from the committee but to go 10 In
cpectOr Mclaughlin. who. this man declared,
would take care of her and send her West More
cases OF brutal clubbing were brought out ana
evidence was produced showing the utter failure
If the police to suppress highway robbery on so
light a thoroughfare Ffth-ave Captain
Srhmitthergers name mentioned in connec.
ton with corruption and various new stories OF
oppression and neglect of duty were brought to
light.
James W Ledwith. the warden Of the Jefrer.
son Market Prison showed by his own testt-
nony that he had net the slightest conception
of his duties and tac.tly admitted that he was
thoroughly incompetent to perform them. The
whole proceeding yesterday was pregnant with
testimony Of the most damaging character.
The committee adjourned until next Tuesday q
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