New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-30
TINE TO HALT. But NOT TO QUIZ

TINE TO HALT, But NOT TO QUIZ
The Lexow Committee has completed the hrs'
Stage Of its labors and adjourned To prepare lis
rrport for presentation to the Senate. 1t began
the investigations not under any just or general
SUSPICION Of nsincerity or incompetence; bu'
doubtless il WAS at first to some extent without
the confidence and sympathy of the pubic
which remembered prior disappointment over
the results of legislative inquiries That pop
ular attitude however was not serlouS1iisad-
yantagc for the committee had only 10 prove
It's fitness for the task assigned To II 10 convert
Indifference and misgiving into eager interest,"
and approval The transformation was accom-
plished not without some delay. but II was ac-
cepted as complete and permanent. ana The out
come is unprecedented In its magnitude ana
value That which was universally suspected,
generally believed. and known by many 10 De
true has been put beyond the possibility OF
doubt By common consent and ny the eXphci'
acknowledgment of men in high places WHO
though implicated stoutly assert their own lhho-
cence the Police Department OF New-lork mas
been convicted of systematic and welngh COM
n,ete corrpion and stands revealed To ne
world as an object Of loathing ana eNecraliol'
There is no need to review here in detail the
revolving facts which have been Drought 10
light. 1t is enough TO say that vice ana CRIME
have been mehodically and renOrselessly maze
10 pay heavy tribute 10 the police Tor the priv
ilece of existence: that lawlessness has never
assumed a form for which liberation mas not
been purchasabe In this city by those VINO knew
where and how to apply; that avocatiohs 'he
most odious and avocatons the most Dlaheles'
have been blacknaed for the enrichment OF
officials sworn to thwart :he guilty anu protect
tho innocent and that the conspiracy through
which this colossal system of fraud ana oppres-
sion has been maintained has comprehended
multitude of knaves of high and low degree. ana
has performed its business with perfect pre-
cisiolf and immense success during long perlod
Of time. The proof has been woven Win 'N-
traordinarv skill out Of innumcrabe threads
many of them intrinsically weak or dillsehlF
Tangled into a web which cannot be broken.
TO DIR. Parkhurst, who inspired the work. ana
TO Mr. Golf who has devised and directed lis
processes public admiration and gratitude are
chiefly due.
These discoveries will have an impotent con
clusion If they do not result in the evolution OF
q Police Department in utter contrast 10 mat
now prolonging manned and shameiul exist
ence. Upon the Legislature recently elected 10
EXPRESS in laws and institutions an ehlgh'eheu
conception Of free government is devoiVed the
duty Of accomplishing this among many impera
two reforms That II will be assailed Win
temptations TO betray the people Is absolutely
certain: that il will yield we refuse 10 peiieVe
until we are compelled 10. But the investigation
will also fall short Of its full purpose and Of the
necessity which II has largely developed II II
stops permanently at this point. II has not YET
f,,,l, disclosed The ultimate destination and uses
or The vast revenue which vice and crime ana
honest industry have paid for Official favor
II NAV perhaps soon or even now be iInpoSsihie
70 complete the search with proofs as sa'lSIa'
tory az those which have brought the inter
mediaries TO public Judgment, ana VIII sooh' we
home hiring many Of them 10 legal retrbuiion
! But if that be conceded the fact VIII Iciii'in
that every other branch Of the municipal gov
eminent needs 10 be explored 10 IFS most secr''
recess. The committee is already empowered
10 investigate departments which IL mas moi i'ad
time 10 touch 1t should search them through
and through. and It's field should be enlarged
10 include all the rest. We are aware mat uhc
nublic welfare will require the regular presence
of the majority OF the committee III Albany inns
winter. but AT least one day In every week VIII
he at their disposal for this purpose throughout
the session. and every day thereafter.
The practical certainty that the whole munic-
ipal service is STEPPED in corruption deyolves
upon the Senate the imperative obligation OF
prolonging and extending the powers or me
committee 1t possesses up TO this time larg"
measure Of public confidence 1t Is familiar with
fine processes Of investigation ana with the
sourcos Of knowledge and its work should 20
r,,., 81 ,,.i,h all nnssible energy and expedition