The herald., 1894-12-22

Cihl CirClon uU htboIupb lh Iuhuo ia Cou-
tradiction or derogstion OF Captain
Schmittberger's allegation, and every
where is heard the comment, ut could
not have been worse; it must end"
ROTTEN TO THE FOUNDATION.
The news that Sohmittberger had
consented to tell all he knew spread
through the city with the speed of
whirlwiDd an drew TO the committee
room vast throng OF citizens, who
clamored and struggled for admission.
In political and official circles this in.
intelligence created furore.
Senator OConnor denied that he had
assert ed, as is alleged, that Mr.. Goff
had bulldozed and intimidated wit.
nesses before the committee. In speak.
ing of the proposed continuation OF the
committee, O'Connor said:
"The police department. is rotten to
the very foundation and l would be the
last to oppose an investigation"
That there is some discord bet *een
Counsel Golf and the commission. how
ever, is a conceded fact, and that this dis.
sension is over the question ae to why
Superintendent Byrnes and other officers
have not been called to testify, is not
denied. 1t is also believed that mis-
understanding exists between Dr. Park
hurst and Mr.. Goff with relation to the
propriety OF summoning Superintendent
Byrnes. With reference to this matter,
Counsel Goff's assistant. Mr.. Jerome,
said that it was one thing to put man
in the witness chair and another to get
sufficient proof against him to attain
sufficient results. He thought that
Byrnes and Commissioner Marten would
l.. -I
present before Senator Lexow, O'Cons
nor and the others arrived this morning,
JUSTICE VOORHEES, NEXT.
Police Captains Schmittberger, Cree-
don and Westerly also occupied specta-
tors seats. Justice Voorhees, held Q
conaultat ion with Mr.. Gof. In response
to questions Justice Voorhees, said he
expected to 20 on the witness stand to-
day. He had turned over oil his bank
books to Mr.. Goff aud was anxious to
vindicate himself against the allegations
made by John w. Rsppanhagen and
Captain Creedon. Justice Voorhees,
said he had not been subp9nsed; he
appeared voluntarily, aud was ready to
answer all questions. He also said thot
if not permitted to testify he would
send q written statement to the oom.
mittee.
1t was late when the first witness of
the day, Adolph Reinhsrt, was called.
He had last night been served with a
subpoena signed John W. Goff. The
signature proved to be false. Mr.. Gof
said this was only one Of the many an
noyances suffered by him. He remarked
that the work OF the committee did not
deal with personal affairs.
Policeman Charles Holland owned q
private residence at 1889 Amsterdam
avenue, eight lots on Forty-sixth street.
six lots on Forty second street and fiat
valued at $22,500. He had been q
policeman Is years.
"And you bought all of this property
out of your salary ?"
"Certainly not. l have dealt in real
estate with Mr.. Bradley, of Blooming.
dale Asylum. and made all my money
that way"
THE CONFESSION.
Captain Schmittberger was recalled.
You are a captain in the Nineteenth
precinct ?' began Mr.. Soft.
Yes
"You rerognize the binding character
of your oath?"
lido; have come to tell the whole
truth"
This answer caused = sensation. Then
Senator Lexow warned the witness Of
the danger OF perjury.
Mr.. Golf excused all the other wit-
nesses in the court. Schmittberger said
he Joined the force in 1874 and was be-
fore that q confectioner. He paid moth.
ing to be made q patrolman. He was
first assigned to the tenderloin precinct.
lie was there two years and knew the
precinct WE'LL His duties at first wore
light on account of a pull he had with
the sergeant at the desk.
1T has been said that ward poll tics
have had something to do with your
promotion. Is that so?"
"Yes. it has"
"Well, what influence can these poli-
ticianE exert?"
They can exert an influence through
the commissioners and sergeants for
fear OF removal"
"Captain, have you ever heard OF
case whore patrolman paid sergeant
any money to be assigned to light
W ork?"
II have heard of them"
THE Go-BETwEEN.
Int answer to further questions Captain
Schmittberger gave it as his opinion
that the policemen appointed Is years
ago make better policemen in every
respect than the more recent appoint
ment5.
"Now, captain, testimony has been
taken here that there are q number of
men in this city who are known as GO
betweens. They are really not connect
ed with the department., but in order to
get an appointment it il necensary to
go to them. Do you know any of these
men?"
There is Charley Grant, Commits.
sioner McClave's secrerary, and a man
named Mercer, tailor on Broadway"
Captain Schmittberger admitted that
owing to political influence many OF his
subordinates were able to defy him,
they belonged to q Tammany club in
which Commissioner Sheehan was
prominent. Many captains belonged to
this club. There was tacit under
standing for the protection Of fast houses
and law breakers.
THE LAW IGNORED.
The captain went on to tell what he
knew of several dives in his precinct,
which were frequented by ali the Grim.
inals 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 ~
they pleased.
"Would it have besn possible for thess
places to run open without special ar
rangemeEts with the police?"