New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-06-24
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IHE INTESTIG ITION.

The impression produced upon the popular
mind by the testimony before the Senate Com
mittee unquesionably extends and dcepens as
the inquiry proceeds The community was Nor
startled at first. because the evidence CORE
sponded 10 general superstition Intelligent CHI
Zcns felt certain that vice was protected by the
police in return for cash. and that such nefarl-
Gus transactions We're conducted on large
scale There was no other explanation Tor the
sudden wealth Of some Tammany magnates ana
the steady accumulation Of property by many
persons having authority but only moderate
salaries Moreover. great number or citizens
are now known TO have had immediate personal
knowledge of Illicit payments to the police. ana
their experiences contributed largely to the com
mon understanding. though never publicly pro
claimed Observation had enlightened others,
who had never happened TO be brought INTO Ill
rect contact with those who exact tribut" ana
dispense favors; SO that altogether a compara-
lively small part Of the population engaged in
active pursuits was ignorant and unsuspcious,
and therefore in condition 10 be amazed and
bewildered by an array Of facts declared under
oath.
Rut though for these reasons the earlier festl-
monv did not cause a tremendous sensation Il
fact which In itself was strong confirmation ~
the witnesses veracty-therc is no doubt we
think that the community is now thoroughly
astonshed at the comprchenslveness and pcrf"c-
ton Of the system under which blackmall has
been levied on all classes and occupations II
was generally understood that vice and crime
bought immunity but few were prepared to be-
lieve that honest industry was ntimidated ana
blackmailed: that there was no avocaiion too
petty or too blamecSs 10 be victimized If only
the shadow Of a reason for suspecting It's leGit!-
macy could be invented: that the official toll
takers were superlativey greedy and utterly re-
morseless II was supposed that though the
Tammany leaders demanded heavy tribute from
certain classes Of lawbreakerS and their follow
crs collected it, there were limits 10 their cNac-
lions and that those who kept within the law
had no cause 10 fear persecution. Such over
whelmng proofs as have been laid before the
committee were needed 10 convince the people
that the innocent and the poverty stricken, rs
well as those whose guilty pursuits are lucra-
tive. are terrified and dcsp0iled; that the steam
ship and the applicant are on the same footing
with the brothcl and the poolrOom. The univcr-
salty Of the extoriion and the dcsplcabe mean
ness Of the eXtortiOners are a source OF aston
ishment TO thousands who never doubted that
the Police Department was saturated with cor
ruption
After the disclosures Of the last fortnight any
thing will be credible There IS now every rea-
son 10 believe that not among the police alone,
but i'm all departments Of the municipal govern
mcnt a horrible condition Of affairs VIII be-
found whenever searching and fearless scru-
tiny Is made The Senate Committee Is en-
powered 10 investigate the police courts, the
Excise Department and the Department or
Charities and Correction. Two OF these branches
Of the municipal administration have been I'M
/ plicated already in the course Of the present in
vestigatiOn. and the other Is now on trial sepa-
rately The Dock Department. which unforlu-
natcly was not included in the committees
province but Is nevertheless under Indictment,
and various bureaus Of The Department OF Pub
lie Works will be subjected 10 a mcrclless cX-
ploration hereafter, II not while they are under
the control Of Tammany, then under new dis
pensation Sooner or later the whole truth
about the filthy despotlsm which the people OF
Ncw-York are getting ready 10 crush must and
will be revealed.
While the investigation is in It's present stage
q word Of invitation and OF warning TO class
Of men whom II closely concerns may not he
wasted. Doubtless guilty members OF the police
force are enraged at the only policeman VINO has
thus far been prevailed upon 10 take the VII
ness stand and tell the truth, and are anxious TO
keep others from following his example by
tanning him with treachery and cowardice 1t
IS much 10 be regretted that one or two news
, nopcrs which are not suspected OF Il desire Ia
/ impede the investigation have used expressions
concerning this witness which are not calculated
! TO encourage other members OF the force who
! may Inc inclined 10 testify. He Is doubtless
damned ne "A "squcacr' by those who Will keep
silent II possible and perjure themselves II they
have 10 speak. but We hope he realizes that he
has not only done his duty hut performed nm
important public service l'nqucstonably there
are very many POLICEMEN who loaihe their bond
age and would re oice 10 see the department
nurifjcd throughout Every honest man among
them Is under the strongest obligation 10 assist
that process by revelation Of the facts within
| his knowledge.
4 DOUBLE TRIUMPH ~ hungary
Deak. though dead, yet speaks in Hungary