The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-12-27
PRISONS YAWN FOR POLICE.
EI-Captain Stevenson Given Three
Years and Nine Months.

ket OF Peaches as q Bribe-Inspector
Williams Put on the Witness Stand
Before the Lsxow Oommittee-He Ex-
plains That he Had $4,000 to $780,
600 When he Went on the Force-Hs
Denies Any Interest in the Sale of the
hollywood Whisky.
New York, Dec. 26.-Ex-Police Captain
John T. Stephenson was sentenced to three
years and nine months in state prison,
and to pay a fine of $1,000 by Judge Ingra-
ham, in the court Of oyer and terminer
this morning. A motion for a new trial
was denied. but the matter will come up
again on Monday next Stephenson was
convicted on Dec. u. The charges against
him was bribery in receiving four bas-
kets Of peaches from Martin n Edwards
a produce dealer at 15S Duane street, as
a partial consideration for allowing Ed
wards to violate the law by occupying
the sidewalk to facilitate the transac-
tion of his business. Policeman Thorne
vas mentioned as the go-between for Ste
phenson and was indicted. Subsequently
Thorne had made a confession in which
he stated all he knew of police corruption
and blackmail At the trial of Stephenson
before the board of police commissioners
ThOrne denied any part in the blackmail-
ing transactions of Stephenson. In his
confession, however, he said he perjured
himself before the board and declared that
Stephenson had endeavored to make him
re-perjure himself at the trial in oyer and
terminer
In passing sentence Judge Ingraham
said: Stephenson, you have been con-
rfaF- .f IrtN h.
dence that was absolutely indisputable
No man questions that evidence. The
crime of bribery is a crime against the
people of the state 1t is not for taking
S. worth of peaches. The size or kind of
the bribe you got is of no consequence in
the case. The great question is the re-
sponsibility, the trust reposed in you.
that you have violated.
You, officer given great powers
for the protection of the public, have used
those powers, not for the benefit of the
public, but for your own advantage. The
law gives me great discretion as to the
punishment to be inflicted, and It is a
responsibility that in this case l feel
very deeply.
The fact that innocent persons, your
wife, children and relatives. will suffer
from the infiiction of this punishment is
one, that while l extremely regret the
necessity that confronts me, / cannot
stay the performance of my duty in im-
posing an adequate punishment for what
/ consider most serious crime
Il have received a recommendation
signed by all of the jurors. That recon-
mendation I shall consider and shall
give it great weight. l have also re-
ceived a statement from many influential
men in your precinct saying that you
never asked them for bribes, nor endeav-
ored to extort money from them. on the
other hand, l have received communica-
tions tending to show that this was not
an isolated case but that in many other
instances you received money while in
that precinct.
Il will endeavor to fix penalty which,
while it shall not be excessive or severe,
at the same time will show that this
is a crime most serious. The very foun-
daton of society rests upon the faith
full performance by public officers of their
duties. The sentence of the court is that
you shall be confined three years AMI
nine months in the state prison and pay
fine of 1000"
Lawyer Vincent gave notice that he
would move for a stay of execution.
As the sentence was pronounced Ste
phenson shut his teeth hard together and
turned away quickly from the bar to be led
back to the Tombs. He was surrounded
by his friends as he started from the court
room and was shaken warmly by the
hand. His brother whispered to him to
keep up his courage, that there was yet
hope for a better outcome. Stephenson
remained silent His eyes were cast down
as he was taken to the Tombs.
The district attorney has practically
dropped the cases against Capts. Creeden
and Schmittberger. When asked this
morning what action he would take re-
garding them he replied that he was not
ready to make a statement as yet, but
might have something TO say later on.
Neither of the men had been promised any
thing, and hence whatever action was
taken by the district attorney was entire
ly unhampered The two men, however,
are understood to have received assurances
OF a sufficiently definite character to war
rant them in feeling easy as to criminal
II proceedings against them.
The latest development in the LeXow
committee is the subpoenaing of three po-
lice inspectors and nine captains The
inspectors are McAvoy, Williams and Nc
Laughlin and the captains are Ryan,
Washburne, Westervelt, Delaney, Killilea,
Gallagher, Strauss, Murphy and Martens.
Supt. Byrnes summoned these officials to
headquarters and personally served the
subpoenaes.
There seems to be some doubt about the
4 subpoena of the superintendent himself.
Dr. Parkhurst is very anxious to have
Supt. Byrnes handled without gloves and
objects strongly to examining him as an
expert witness on police.
Chairman Lexow gave it as his opinion
mittee would wind up on Friday next. Il
think" said he, 1--WE will finish on Friday
next, unless something unforeseen occurs
We want some little time to prepare our
report for the legislature and it is hardly
fair to ask us to continue taking testimony
any longer"
1t was 1870 o'clock when the chairman
raped for order Mr. Goff read the let
ter by Commissioner Sheehan to Capt
Sehmittberger introducing Mr.. Proctor,
who, the captain said, wished to open a
gambling house. The letter was published
on Saturday last by Mr.. Sheehan. Mr.
Goff also read two letters from Commis-
sioner Sheehan to Capt. Schmttberger.
asking the latter to use his influence to
have the bearer appointed to position on
the street railroad.
Mr.. Goff also read letter which Mr..
Moss received from Commissioner Sheehan
this morning. The letter thanked Mr..
Moss for saying that he believed the let
Ter published by Commissioner Sheehan
was genuine one. AT a time" the let
far i