Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1894-02-28
THE POLICE ACCUSED.

A1W00-Ino Au0&1k1Onb Oh snO new /
and order League Replied to BY
Captain wrinn-He Denies the
Charges OF Lack of Vigilance and
Emciency-No Action Taken BY the
CommissiO ners.
So great was the general interest In
hearing the complaint of the Law and Or
Ter league against the police department
last evening, that it was found necessary
to have the hearing in the city court |
room, the accommodations of the police |
proving totally inadequate
to accommodate the members of the ad- |
visory committee of the Law and Order |
league and number of interested specta-
tors.
All the members of the board of police |
commissioners were present, as was also
Mayor Sargent, who presided. The Law
and Order league was championed by Rev.
Newman Smyth, president of the league.
Among the others present were Rev. E, 8.
Lines, Rev. e. NJ. Potest, Rev. John 81.
Mason, Professor Robinson of the Yale
Law school. Frank 8. Fardes, Secretary
Samuel P. Thrasher, Attorney 81. A. New
ton and number of others.
The police we're represented by Superin-
tendent Smith, Captain Wrinn, Sergsants
Cowles and Driscoll, Captain O'Keefe and
Signal Officer Began.
When order had bssn secured Captain
Wrinn arose and addressed the commits
sioners and the members of the Law and
Order league as follows: 'Gentlemen, the
league has made complaints that the police
department is guilty of . lack of vigilance
and efficiency, and the central station is
specially mentioned in the complaint. l
have asked that all the members of the
league be present at this meeting tonight
and state what each one of them knows
against any pstrolman or officer of the
central police station. It is only fair that
every charge should be substantiated, and
we ask that everything be definite and d.
rect. I, as one of the accused, demand
this as my right and want you to
state exactly what you know of
any such fragrant violation a. is
claimed. We are accused of ineficiency and
neglect, yes, and of more-nsmely of neg
lecting our duty for q consideration, either
of money or something else. Any charge
that is made should specify the name Of
the patrolman or officer, and should be
definitely detailed. As for myself have
lived In New Haven forty six year,, during
twenty eeven of which have been in pub
lie life, and challenge any one of you to
find anything in either my private or pub
lie record which will not bear the brightest
light of day. I wish the board to inquire
| infinitely into the charge that We are hold
| ing our hands out to thieves and playing
| in league with law breakers. We, mem
bers of the police department., sdvo.
| cate, urge and most positively demand
most searching investigation"
! After this statement had been made Rev.
Dr.. Smyth arose ard read the Law and
Order leagues side of the case. DR..
Smyth's statement is ps4ated in full on the
fourth page of this paper.
When DR.. Smyth had concluded Mayor
Sargent inquired whether any one else de-
sired to say anything. Rev. E. 8. Lines
arose and said: "We are not here complain
pare most favorably with the police of
other cities. would, however, ask the
board to use all its power In aiding the
patrolmen to enforce the laws. I believe
that If the pstrolmen thought they would
| be backed up by the commissioners there
| would be an end of all violations of the
law. The paper read by DR.. Smyth shows
most grave condition of affairs, and
earnestly hope the board will compel the
most vigilant and efficient police service in
our fair city"
At the conclusion of Rev. Dr.. Lines re-
marks Captain Wrlnn again arose, and II
reply to the statements made by Rev. DR..
Smyth said: II see DR.. Smyth includes
In his local "Tsnderloin" district most Of
the churches, many of the weslthies
homes, some of the best of our population
and also some of the worst. Another poinl
raised by DR.. Smyth ia that q tip was giver
to Ike Hsrtenstein. Who gave the tip
Did any of the policea Assuredly not, fol
only two members of the force knew any
thing about 1t. These two officer
your church, DR.. Smyth, and Ser
gesnt Mcbride. AS soon as Ssrgean
Crocker received the warrant from the cit,
attorney, he notified Sergeant Mcbride
} who was on duty at the desk, and at ono,
went out to serve 1t, and he vent alone
Now, who gave the tipi Sergeant Crocker
Sergeant Mcbride OF the city attorneyi N,
one else knew anything about 1t. Gentle
men, the leak was not in the police depart
ment. Now let us look at the service O.
those policy writs. Dr.. Smyth seems to
the facts: I asked whether the league hai
all the evidence needed and was told i
had; that we were simply to serve tn
, warrants and bring in the accused. W.
did in all these cases just as we would d.
| in any other where we were told that thu
!, evidence had been obtained.
but there is something more seriou.
than this. We are charged with holding
out our hands to thieves and dicke1ine
with liquor men and being hampered IL
the discharge of our duties by fear Of
some influence concerning the commits
sioners. There are three sergeants at pc
lice headquarters, all total abstainers
Sergeant Mcbride; Q member of Rev. DR.
Poteat's church; Sergeant Croker, q mem
Der of Rev. DR.. Smyth's Church, and Ser
geant Cook a member of Rev. DR.. Bray
church. All three are total abstainers
Superintendent Smith is also another tota
abstaher, and I myself have hsen tota
abstainer since 1850, when carried thu
first temperance banner ever seen in thu
streets of New Haven. For forty-foul
years have never tasted drop of liquor
Now, does 1t look as though the officers q
the central station were likely to be IL
league with the liquor mena. tar.
"And now about being afraid of any In
fuence of liquor men with the commission.
ers. do not wear the yoke of any man
I ask no isvors from them. If don't dc
my duty they will do theirs. I defy any
man to show that I have ever been innu
enced in the slightest degree in the dis
charge of my duties. am begging ct nc
commissioner's door. We are doing what
we can to suppress crime, but We cannot
get the men that own the places In which
such places as houses of i'll fame etc, exist
prosecuted. wish the league would try
their influence on that point"
At the conclusion of Captain Wrinn'l
statement the mayor again asked If there
was anyone else who desired to be heard,
but no one arose and the meeting adjourn.
ed. Rev. DR.. Smyth leaving his paper with
the commissioners for their further con.
sideration.
THHBUSINEss MEETING.
At the business meeting of the commits
sioners, which took place Immediately
before the hearing, the several bills of the
department were approved. Patrolmen
Gibson, Wiser, John Egan, N. J. O'Con.
nor, Powers, Michael F. Doody and Caul.
field were promoted from grade B to grade
A, and honorable mention was made OF
Officer William WEIGH for his plucky Gap
ture of the colored burglar, Henry jack.
SOD, several days einoe.
Rovers' Wheel Club.
The second annual fancy dress and
masquerade ball of the Rovers' Whee
club was held last night in Banquet hall
The grand march was led by the following
l floor COMMITTEES: W. B. Jones, Thomas
Hickey, A. B. Russell, T. Whelsnd, Charles
Hedges, B. NJ. Prescott, Nelson Howard
8. E. Campbell, E. Perefgo, William Bean
About 100 couples wers In the grand
march.