Evening star., 1894-12-21
ANOTHER SENSATION
Police Captain Schmittberger Prom
ises to ''Tell the Whole Truth"
AGAIN BEFORE THE LEIOW COMMITTEE
He Relates His Experience on the
Force.
MIR. BYRNES TO BE CALLED

NEW YORK, December Ex-senator
O'Conner today denied that he had asserted
as had been alleged, that Mr.. Golf had bull
dozed and intmidated witnesses before the
Lexow committee. In speaking of the pro-
posed continuation of the committee, Sen
ator OConnor said:
THE police department of New York is
rotten to the very foundation, and l should
be the last to oppose the continuance of
this committee"
That there is some discord between Coun-
sci Golf and the committee, however, is a
conceded fact; and that this dssension is
over the question as to why Superintendent
Byrnes and other officials have not been
called to testify is not denied.
1t is also believed that a misunderstand-
ing exists between DR.. Parkhurst and Mr..
Con with relation to the propriety of sum-
moning Superintendent Byrnes before the
committee. With reference to this matter,
Counsel GofS assistant, Mr.. Jerome, said
that 1t was one thing to put man in the
witness chair and another to get sufficient
PROOF against him to attain any good re-
suits. He thought, however, that Superin-
tendent Byrnes and Commissioner Martin
would be called next week if the commit
tee does not reach an adjournment today.
Senator Lexow thinks that the committee
will probably adjourn today for the hoi-
days. but If anything sensational develops
before the adjournment another session
VIII be held tomorrow.
Father Ducey was present before Senators
Lexow, OConner, Pound and Bradley ar
rived this morning. Police Captains Cree
den and Westervelt also occupied specta-
tors seats. Police Justice Noorhs held a
consultation with Mr.. Goff.
In response to questions, Justice Voorhis
said he expected to go on the witness stand.
He had turned over all his bank books to
MIR. Moss and anyiOnS N yiplicata him.
self against the allegations made by John
w. Reppenhagen and Capt. Creeden. JUS
tice Voorhis said he had not been SUBJ
poenaed. He appeared voluntarily and was
ready to answer ali questions. He also said
that IL not permitted to testify he would
send written statement to the committee.
1t was late when the first witness of the
day, Adolph Rheirhart, was called He
had last night been served with a subpoena
signed John w. Goit. The signature proved
to be forged. This. Mr.. Goff said, was only
one of the many annoyances suffered by
him. He remarked that the work Of the
committee did not deal with personal af-
fairs.
Policeman Edward Shelvey was the next
witness. Hc swcre that ne owns two
houses and has no bank account.
Mrs. Amelia Holland wife of Policeman
Charles Holland, testified that she owned
ne real estate. Her husband was then call
ed, and said he owned private residence
at 1859 Amsterdam avenue, eight lots in
4Sth street, four lots On 142d street and
fiat house valued at So, 500. He had been
fifteen years a policeman.
And you bought all this property out of
your salaCy?'
Certainly not. 1 have dealt in real es-
tate with Nj. Bradley of the Blooming
dale Asylum, and made all my money that
way"
Capt. Schmittberger was recalled
You are captain in the nineteenth pre-
cinct?' began Mr.. GoF.
"And you recognize the binding char
acter of your oath?"
Il do And have come here to tell the
whole truth"
This answer created a sensation.
Then Senator LeXow warned witness Of
the danger of perjury.
Mr.. Goff excused all the other witnesses
in the court.
Schmittberger said he Joined the force in
1874 and was before that confectioner.
He paid nothing to be made u patrolman
He was first assigned to the "tenderloin
precinct" He was there two years, and
knew the precinct well. His duties at first
were on account of a pull he had with the
sergeant at the desk.
1T has been said that ward politicians
have something to do with promotions. Is
that SOP
"Yes, it is"
We'll. what influence can these politi-
clans exert?'
They can exert an influence through the
commissioners and sergeants for fear of
removal"
What is the more powerful in the de-
partment. good record or a political pull?"
"a political pull, ty far
Captain, have you ever heard of a case
where patrolman paid a sergeant any
money to be assigned to light work."
Yes, l have heard of them.'
In answer to further questions Capt
Schmittberger gave it as his opinion that
the policemen appointed fifteen years ago
make better policemen in every respect
than the recent appointments.
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 connected with the depart
ment, but in order to get an appointment
1T is necessary to go to them. Do You
know any of these men?
There is Charley Grant, Commissioner
McClaVes secretary, and man named
Meyer, tailor on Broadway"
Those are all you know"
Yes"
Mr.. Goff then returned to the question Of
the old policemen being more conscientious
than the recent additions to the force and
again gave it as his opinion that they were
far above the new officers
At this point Mr.. Gof suddenly announced
recess. Immediately after recess Schmitt-
berger will be replaced and then the after
noon promises to develop another sensa-
tion even greater than the Creedon con-
IeSSion.