New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-03-17
THE POLICE AIDED CRIME
THEIR PART IN THE ELECTION
CAPTAIN DEVERY TOLD HIS MEN TO
STAND THE SILK STOCKINGS
ON THEIR HEADS"
NO WONDER THE OFFICERS WOULD NOT Az
LOW REPUBIIcAN WATCHERS TO HAVE
THEIR RIGHTS AT THE PoLLs-MuL
IIGAN's BOLD DICTATION AS TO
HOW CITIZENS SHOULD VOTE
tr~1r,
TESTIMONY.

TESTIMONY.
That the police conspiracy TO aid Tammany
Hall in the last election extended over all the
city was emphasized yesterday by the testimony
given before the Senate Committee appointed
to investigate the Police Department \ dozen
witnesses told how they had been threatened
browbeaten intimidated and budozed by police
men in uniform for protesting against hagrant
fraud and demanding the arrest of the criminals.
In some instances, the officers merely looked on
while Tammany "heeers" ran things as they
pleased, regardless of law; in other cases. the
policemen took an active part in the crime which
they were there to prevent.
CAPTAIN DEvERYs ADVICE.
One Of the most significant pieces Of evidence
was given by East Side election inspector.
He went to the Eldridge-st. police station at
about a. m. to make a complaint against a
man who tried to vote Illegally. Just as the in
spcctor reached the station, Police Captain Will
lam s. Devery was giving instructions to
platoon OF police. Some Of his words were: NO
matter what your politics are, take the advice OF
your fellow officers. I understand that lot OF
silk-stocking fellows are coming down here to try
and bulldoze you If they open their mouths.
stand them their heads"
In view Of this injunction. It Is not surprising
they did in Deverys precinct. That captain 10
now under Indictment for neglect Of duty, but
still wears his uniform.
In many instances yesterday, the names or
numbers Of the policemen guilty Of neglect OF
duty or abuse Of their power were given. De
Lancey Nicoll counsel for the Police Department.
announced when the first hearing was held that
the authorities Of the department would punish
any policeman who shown by the testimony
To have transgressed the law on Election Day.
Any number Of such cases came TO nght yester-
day Charles II. Murray, the lawyer, VINO was
Republican candidate FOR District-Attorney, gave
the numbers Of half a dozen officers who retised
to give Republican watchers their rights one
of the most audacous OF the criminals in uniform
was named Mugan. With astounding effront-
cry he went into booths with voters, against
their protests and made them hand In Demo-
cratic ballot whether they wished to do so or
NOT Two men testified to his acts. II the
officials for whom Mr. Ncoll is spokesman were
the least bit sincere in their offer they might well
begin with Mulgan.
DISREGARD OF ORDERS.
One witness explained that he had left Russia
| 70 come 10 a land Of freedom There was a
! touch ot irony In this taken IN connection with
Captaln Devery's instructions, with Mulligans
deriving voters of the suffrage and with the
| otber facts about police domination at the polls
described by witnesses
| In tho IT'D and other downtown Assembly dis
| tr1cts the interference by the police was most
marked In the IIId even Superintendent Byrhes
and Inspectors Williams and McAvoy had ht,e
apparent influence with their subordinates' Ihe
noicemen obeyed the mandates OF the inspeo-
tors as long as they were there, but looked 70
Tammany "heelers' for their orders as soon as
| the inspectors were gone.
For the first time, all the members Of the conn
mittee were present at hearing. senator Sax
ton. who had been absent last week was prs
10 hear how shamelessly the provisions OF the
law bearing his name were violated in thls CITY
last November. Henry Grasse was associated
with w A. sutherland as counsel TO the conn
mittee. Nothing more was said OF the posS'o''''
| OF engaging John w. COIL