The record-union., 1894-12-22
Captain Schmittberger Says 1t Is
Rotten to the Core.
HIGH OFFICIALS ~ THE SERVICE
IMPLICATED.
Unreasonable Weather Checks Busi-
ness Throughout the Northwestern.
Southern, Central and Western
States-Large Number of Fatalities
From an Epidemic of Diphtheria in
New York Infant Asylum.
Special TO the REcoRp-Uxror.

''l'cSIdt 10 hhS INhIbhL- ~ Mum
NEW YORK, Dec. 21.-MaximiIian c.
Schmittberger. Captain of Police, now in
command of the tenderloin district, made
confession before the Lexow committee
to-day to the effect that the entire police
system of New York, with the exception
OF Superintendent Byrnes and a few
others, was rotten to the core; that black
mail and bribery, extortion and corrup-
ton, were common crimes in the depart
ment, and that mercenary motives alone
actuated his fellow-oflicers. His charges
implicate Inspectors Williams and Nc
Avoy, eX-Inspector Steers. Police Com
missioners James b. Martin and ohm Q.
Sheehan, Captains Price, Gastlin and
Martens. eX-Captain John Gunner, and
Wardmen Dunlap, Robert Vail and
James Cannon.
Without question this mas been the
most important day in the history of the
committee. SchmIttberger's confession
is prolific of not only sensation, but of
evidence which confirms and verifies
what has hitherto been considered the
most exaggerated case of police and Off
clal corruption. 1t deals with more in
dlvldual cases-it shows the criminality
that has prevailed IN the police depart
lnent.
Captain Schmittberger is under indict-
ment for bribery. He had previousl" re-
fused to testify before the Senate COM
mlttee. esterday, howeve he was re-
arrested and his bail increased. To-day
he took advantage of an offer of immu-
nifty from punishment held out to him
by Mr.. Goff and agreed to make clean
breast of it. "The pillars of the church
are fallen," said he on the witness-stand
In tfnrT
conscience, my wife and my children, to
tell what l know"
Meanwhile dark circles had crept un-
der his eyes, his face assumed a sickly
palIor, an air of utter WEAKNESS and de-
lection possessed him and he appeared,
as ne was, IN extreme mental torture
and agony, But 10 spirit OF sympathy
moved the throng of spectators. Sueers
and sarcastic laughter instead answered
the acknowledgment of his weariness,
when at last Counsel Goff permitted him
TO vacate the witness-sIand tonight.
The city Tonight Is not turbulent with
excitement, as 1t was just week ago, on
the occasion OF Captain Creedon's con-
fesslon. Instead an atmosphere of sup
pressed indignation prevails. In Official
circles no attempt IS made in contradic-
ton OF Mr.. Schmittberger' allegations
and everywhere is heard the comment.
"lt could not have been worse; it must
end"
The news that Schmittberger had con-
sented to tell all he knew spread through
the city like a whirlwiud and drew to the
commlttee-room vast thrOng of citizens
who clamOred and struggled for admis-
sion. In political and official circles this
intelligence created a furore. Senator
OCOnnor denied that he had asserted, as
is alleged, that Mr.. q OFT had bulIdozed
and intimidaJed witnesses before the
Lexow Committee. In speaking of the
proposed continuation of the committee,
O'Connor said:. The police department
is rotten to the very foundation, and [
should be the last to oppose an investi-
CATION"
That there is some discord between
Counsel Goff and the commission is, how
ever, conceded fact, and this dissension
is over the question as to why Superin-
tendent Byrnes and other officers have
not been called to testify is not denied.
1t Is also believed that a misunderstand-
ing exists between DIR. Parkhurst and
Mr.. CON with relation to the prOpriety of
summonlng superintendent Byrnes.
With reference to this matter Counsel
Gotf's assistant, Mr.. Jerome, said that it
IS one thing to put man in the witness
chair and another to get sufficient proof
against him 10 attain sufficient results.
Captain Schmittberger admitted when
on the stand that, owing to political in
fluence many of his subordinates were able
to defy him. They belonged to Tammany
club of which Commissioner Sheehan
was prominent. Many Captains belonged
to this club. There was tacit under
standing for the protection of fast houses
and law wbreakers. The Captain went on
to tell what he knew of several dives in
his precinct which were frequented by all
the criminals of New York. He said
further that no pretense of observing the
excise law at these places was ever made
and the fast women and criminals did as
thew nlaasad-