The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-01-15
NEW YORK'S DISGRACE
The Tammany Police System and
Its Shameless Corruption.
Parkhurst's Society Has Brought to
Light a Terrible Record of Munic-
ipal Thieyery and Rascality.

Harper's Weekly.
The police force of New York is in some
respects the most important department OF
the municipal government. On its efficiency
depends the safety of life and the security of
property. 1t stands between law-abiding cit
liens and the criminals who would prey
upon them. During the year just closed
New York has expended $4,000 to MAIN
tain its police force. For the coming year
there has already been appropriated s., 1884,
600. This sum ought to be sufficient to make
New York as free from crime as any great
city in the world. and to suppress every
open manifestation of illegal vice. If the
boast Of our people Of the excellence and
superiority of the force were true, and If
We actually do have in the rank and file
the finest body of policemen in the country,
the lax enforcement of certain criminal laws
and the successful audacity of those who
commit election frauds are serious refiec-
tons upon the men who are at the head
of the department The character of the
patrolmen is, perhaps, with some excep-
tons, good as can be enlisted in the semi
military duty which the police are called
upon to render. Whether as much can be
said of the policemen who gain high rank in
the force is matter of considerable doubt.
Recent charges and revelations compel sus-
pension of Judgment, and excite uncertainty
as TO the integrity of any policeman who
has gained the rank of captain. This is not
saying that one is warranted in believing
that all the police captains and inspectors
and the superintendent himself are corrupt.
1t is saying, however, that every one who
Is in any way in authority in the force is
under suspicion. A jury must assume in
law that every accused man is innocent
until he is found guilty, but in morals and
In municipal politics We are at liberty TO
ask each officer of police TO prove that he is
not Hike many, perhaps the most, of his fell
lows
The police force of New York is gov
erned by politicians. It's management is due
to a conspiracy that was made more than
twenty years ago, when William NJ Tweed
was strengthening his power over the city
Legislature at Albany. In order that the
corrupt laws might be enacted by persons
not responsible to the people Of this city
ment were turned over to the State. In
return for the spoils thus secured, Tweed
ment of what laws they desired, including
amendments to the charter of the city
AS time went on, the State surrendered its
reserved the right of removal-a right near
~ as valuable as that of appointment, but
the abuse of which is not so likely to Gre
ate a scandal.
On the pretense of taking the police out
of city politics, an unwritten rule was
adopted. under which two of the police COM
missioners were to be Democrats and two
Republicans. This was probably due to the
fact that the police commissioners appoint
the inspectors of election, who, until re-
Gently, were required by law TO be equally
divided between the two principal political
parties: This law has now been changed,
there being three inspectors, instead OF
four. two from the faction of the
Democratic party casting the largest
number of votes Tammany). and
written law as to the political complexion
Of the police commissioners is no longer
missioners Two (Sheehan and MARTINI be-
long to Tammany Hall. Martin is supposed
to be a rival of Croker. and to expect to
succeed him the leader of Tammany
ent Democrat, from whom the good citi-
zens of New York hope for much assist
ance in their effort to throw light into the
black places of police management. Nc
Clave is the Republican commissioner, and
is 70 completely subservient to Tammany
HalE generally voting with Sheehan and
Martin. The system adopted for taking the
police out of city politics was admirably
calculated TO place the force under the
control of the worst rascals that New York
politics could produce. No party was re-
stonsible for the corruption or ineff1ciency
of the commissioners. No party would
make war upon ii, for each was receiving
a share of the sDois. The Mayor may be
held to answer for a mistake in an appoint
nent but not for retaining a proved bribe-
taker and thief. for he cannot remove with
out the cooperation of the Governor. The
:, ate has mininZed responsibility by divid-
ing 1T among political parties and indi-
of affairs is brought about, and the people
of New York are asking themselves in
alarm whether it is really true that they
an armed military body commanded by
men who are the bribed beneficiaries Of
crime who are the associates and pro-
tectors of those who live by practicing and
panderng TO the most degraded vices who
these horrible revelations true? Has the
system Of irresponsible government of the
police at last borne its legitimate fruit?
Has the bargain first made for the distri-
button of the "spOils'' of the great city
at last developed into a great combination
and conspiracy between criminals and the
police. in consequence of which the officers
of the peace permit the enemies of society
TO ply their trade for the pecuniary adj
their lawless efforts within such bounds
that the righteous wrath of the INDECENT
good will not be awakened? Is New York's
Crokers political fund being kept full by
contributions of the laWbreaking bene-
pour out their tribute for the sUpport ln Of
the force which is really in partnership
with the criminals of whom they ought to
rid the community?
REALIZING THE TRUTH.
The citizens of New York are at last
awake to the truth about these guardians
of the peace" Thanks to the energetic and
intelligent action of DR.. Parkhurst and his
dence has been furnished that verifes sus-
picions that have existed for many years.
When DR.. 'ParxhurSt first invaded the
moral slumS of the city in order that he
might see with his own eyes the Outra geS
upon the law and upon decency that were
perpetrated with the assent and cOnnivance
of the police, there a strong DISPOSE
ton TO doubt the propriety of his methods.
knew that vile and Illegal business was
carried on, and that IL houriShed in the
most respectable quarters OF the city, con-
terminating youth by its openneSs and it's
pFOpinquity. From time immemorial there
had been whispers, heard by every one
familiar with the common gossip Of the
city, that those who Haunted their vice
in the public face were safe in doing SO
because they paid the police for protection.
The men Of the city who have lived here for
any time know that gambling dens were
maintained, and that some Of them were
almost as easy OF access as the hotels,
They knew that the excise law was con-
on = sunday was as pubic an entrance TO the
bar within as was the front door on
week DAY. They had heard and all bat the
most credulous believed, that If frauds
in the ballot box were 10 be committed
the presence Of policemen not colassi-
cred q hndrdnce TO the. purpose. Believ-
ing all these things OF their police many
of the citizens OF New York were vet
shocked that doctor Of divinity should
touch vice in his effort TO secure evidence
that the belief was true. 1t was the good
fortune of the city that Dr. ParkhursJ
was not turned aside or deferred by un-
friendly criticism. He has kept on. until
of proof of the corruption Of the system,
and of the men who govern the police force