New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-02-26
PRICE THREE CENTS.
IT'S WORK TO BE THOROUGH.
4 TALK WITH SENATOR SAXTON
DEFENDING THE COMMITTEE TO IN.
vESTIGATE LOCAL POLICE AFFAIRS.

LEGALLY TO PAY THE EXPENSES or CoUN-
sEI.-THE COMMITTEE WILL NOT DE
CALLED oFF-THE HOSTILITY
SHOWN IT
fly TELEGRAPH TO TR3ryRS
Albany Fob 2j-The investigation Of the
Police Department of New-Yorll City authorized
by the State Senate is to be prosecuted immedi-
ately by the special committee appointed to cons
duct the investigation with all possible vigor
and thoroughness 1t has been delayed by the
action Of the organizations in New-YOrk which
made charges against the Police Department, IN
first promising 10 name counsel for the CONF
mittee and then refraining from doing so; ana
then in promising to sustain the committee IN
every way and afterward. apparently, seeking
to excite distrust to the sincerity OF the ih-
vestigation Every one in Albany acquainted
with the character of the Senator'S who were ap-
ponted as members Of the special investigating
committee recognized upon glancing over tneW
names that the inquiry into the ADMINISTRATOR
If the Police Department Of New-York was -
be an honest one. and one Loyalty In the IN
terest Of the people of the state
Senator Saxton who appointed the committee
IS a sincere man In his whole legislative career
OF seven years no man can point to an instance
Of dupicity upon his part He took great pains
/
investigating committee. They represen; no Re-
nuhlican faction They are honest men. All
are men of decided character. They VIII not
make a sham investigation and no man Is able
+, saw that he can call them off If they get on
the trail of A 70 scal connected with the admin
istration Of the Police Department AS evidence
of the care Senator Saxton took In making mis-
selections. l. may be mentioned without any I'M
propriety that one Republican Senator was left
off the committee because 1t was feared that he
had 4 too friendly opinion Of the Police DEPART
ment.
FOR PAYMENT or COUNSEL FEES.
Senator Saxton tonight showed mis- anxiety
70 remove all obstacles to a thorough investga-
tion Of the Police Department by declaring that
the present week he would take steps 10 oind
The State legally u pay the expenses OF the
counsel engaged in the investigation. This was
DR.. Parkhurs;'s last objection. namely, that no
provision has been made u pay the counsel. 1t
never has beer the practice thus to pledge pay
mcnt in advance. for the State Of New-York,
with It's treasury. has always been believed to
be behind such investigation and ready 70
pay ali bills In fact up 70 the time the Fasse,t
Investigating Committee did its work the Leg
islature and Governor nave paid such counsel
bills a matter Of course Roscoe Conkling
thus received fee of $4,000 for conducting the
Broadway Surface hallway investigation. But
Senator Saxton Is profoundly anxious to con-
vince every one that the present committee IN
tends 10 make an honest investigation, ana
therefore he will endeavor 70 meet DIR. Park
hursts latest objection. Mr.. Saxton In vigorous
terms tonight pledged his word and that OF his
fellow members Of the investigating committee
that the investigation should be a thorough one.
THE COMMITTEE COMPOSED or CLEAN MEN.
In reply to an inquiry upon the subject ad-
dressed to him by The Tribune correspondent
Mr.. Saxton said:
Yes. See that the newspapers are saying
good deal about the police investigation. Some
of them profess to have information 10 the
effect that the committee i TO be called off, or Is
t. conduct the investigation uDon lines laid
down by ex-Senato- Thomas c. Plat. do not
believe anything of the kind. Leaving myself
out Of the account. ! say emphatcally thas
there are ADLER or more reputable men in the
Legislature than those who constitute this COM
mittec They are not going To deliver over thei-
regulations into the hands Of any man To be
used for his own purpose. From the outset the
committee has been "egarled in certain quarterd
with coldness and suspicion. There has been
a disposition even on the part OF some who are
friendly 10 the investigation - dscredt us IT.
advance We have felt this 10 be an injustice.
because We are not conscious Of having done
anything to Justify such n feeling. 1t certainly
IS not the right spirit. nor can II result IN any
good.
we went to y w-York eager to enter at once
upon work. our purpose was e. make ar
honest and thorough investigation. but we did
not know what To- do or how to do IT, Naturally
appealed 10 those who had insisted upon an
investigation and said to them: Gentlemen.
point out the way. Advise us what counse'
We should employ. We will do what you think
best We did not ther, by seek To shirk responsi-
bility or place our burden upon other shoulders.
We merely asked for the advice. sympathy ana
aid Of those who knew more about the matter
than we did. 1t was at once sugS' sted that our our
time was too short and should be- extended The
committee readily accepted the suggestion ana
seized the earliest opportunity T. ask the Leg1s-
lature for further time. \ resolution was passed
giving us until the end of the session. and i'm
plving by its terms that II the work should
MOI he completed permission would be given u sit
during the recess | pledge myself 10 do all In
my power to continue the life Of the committee
during this year. and next II necessary
AZ To CHOICE OF COUNSEL
I'VE have been willing. and are now willing.
to accept any counsel approved by the various
societies and organizations that have Interested
themselves in the investigation. | have never
heard a word about any counsel suggested by ex-
senator Platt nor do / believe that he has en-
dcavored To foist any counsel upon the commit-
tc, II is now said that counsel fees and other
cxpenses should be guaranteed in advance. That
course is absolutely unprecedented. and Is not
favored by Chairman LeXow, II newspaper re-
ports are correct. Nevertheless. in view Of the
fact that the expenses OF the fassett Committee
have not vet been paid. am in favor personally,
Of making some kind OF an arrangenent py
which the necessary expenses OF the present COM
r,ittee will be- guaranteed by the Legislature.
Speaking for myself. have no purpose In con-
nection with this Investigation except To reach
the bottom facts.
Il have many things on my hands. but Will
find time In some way 10 do my share OF this
work | am in favor Of doing anything ana
everything that will enable us TO perform the
work that Is given Us 10 do. Ii is hardly neces-
sary for me To say that no man or set OF men
can call me off from this Investigation. or control
nv action with regard To ii. What say OF my
self is also true. | firmly believe of my COLI
leagues upon the committee. am sure that DR..
ParKhurst and the other gentlemen who have
appeared before the committee will give us their
valuable assistance and that by hearty CO..
operation something may be done In the inter-
est of the people. and some contribution made
to the cause of good municipal government"
Senator SaXton may introduce a bill appropr-
ating money to pay the counsel OF the committee.
EVIDENCE FOR THE INVESTIGATING