The Washington times., 1894-10-30

NEW YORK, Oct 29.-Commissioner Shee-
han was on the stand again to-day, and
numerous were the tits he had with Senator
GofI.
The commissioner testified that he had
been aware for twenty years that corruption
existed but that it was impossible to secure
evidence enough 10 make complaint or
bring charges against officers TO the grand
jury.
The commissioner said that while cases were
I on record where the misdeeds of policemen
had been brought to the attention of the dis
trict attorneys he could cite no particular
case.
Mr.. Goff mentioned the case of William
4 Dwyer. who was charged in court with as
saulting Henry Kress because the latter
would not give him $25 The witness didn't
remember the case. he thought nothing had
ever been done to the policeman, though the
court had found him guilty of assault and of
oppression.
Commissioner Sheehan could give no
reason why the cases Of Capts. 0'Connor and
and Slevin had not been disposed of. Then
the attorney asked the commissioner If he
had not power to direct the superintend-
ent TO prefer charges against the officers.
''Yes," replied the witness.
''Why didn't you direct him to formulate
charges against them as you did others, ofii-
cials or captains?''
Il didn't do it; the board did
do YOU consider the superintendent under
your orders?" asked the chairman.
He is the executive head of the police de-
partment."
But don't you consider you have control
over him?'
DON'T TRY TO CONTROL BYRNEs.
''No, sir; we never try to control him, and
never interfere with him." answered Mr..
Sheehan.
How many times during the two years
that you have been commissioner have you
heard that protection money was being paid
TO the police for various forms of Weep con-
/ tlnued Chairman Lexow.
''Oh. can't say was the reply. 'I .have
heard 1t less while I have been a commits
sioner than before 1 came on the board"
The commissioner said he considered the
superintendent better qualified to investigate
such cases than the board was.
He has ali the facilitiesi we have none, " he
said emphatically.
is be 10 blame then?'
Il am not ready TO say that" was the
answer. "Get him on the stand and ask his
/ judgment. He has all the power and all the
facilities"
After some more sparring Mr.. Goff said
1 inspector Williams charged Dr. Parkhurst
with falsehood. He said that he had sent
special officers to the alleged disorderly houses
and could get no evidence. The courts con-
yicted the men. Is not that proving Williams
an official liar?"
Mr.. Sheehan did not think So He said that
] II nDGElEla thar Of the diEnr2p
houses were started by the Society for the
! Prevention Of Crime in order to make In
/ spector Williams appear in the light of an
''official liar.
1.-The Society for the Prevention of Crime
would like TO do it," he sneered.
CAREFUL TO PROTEST.
"Do you wish to 90 on record as saying
that the society of which Dr. Parkhurst is
president would organize disorderly houses
for the purpose OF proving police officer a
felsifier.n
Il didn't say that cried Mr.. Sheehan.
boldly, but l think that the society for the
prevention Of crime would do anything to run
down Inspector Williams"
Have you ever heard it said" Mr.. Goff
asked, with a smile, that every police CON-
missioner was corrupt and bribe taker, ex-
| cept Commissioner MacLean?n
The witness became angry at that Il
won't say whether heard it said or not" he
said. II have read that some Republican
I stump speakers had expressed themselves in
such a manner and probably every one of
them are bribe takers themselves. They
lied
did you ever make a demand for a re-
traction Of any newspaper
Il did,
HAS the statue of limitations expired yet?''
"No."
"How do you know"
"Mhy, l know il has not"
"What is the time? l ask YOU as a lawyer -
1T is none of your business"
Murmur of disapproval and hiss or two
/ were heard IN the courtroom when the witness
/ permitted his temper to get the better of him
thus Mr.. GOff was unruffled
Il came here TO tell what I know about the
police department and nothing else,n said the
commissioner.
! The witness said he had never instituted
actions for libel, and had never demanded a
retraction. In fact. he had one action pend
/ ing against one newspaper now.
You said on Friday observed Mr.. Goff.
/ THAT the people OF New York were indebted
/ TO Richard Croker for closing the pool
/ rooms?" continued Mr.. Goff.
Il said he was always digging them" said
Mr.. Sheehan.
$50 the fact remains that it remained for
Richard Croker, private citizen to force the
commissioners TO do their duty" sneered Mr..
! Goff.
Il didn't admit that, said Mr.. sheehan.
anGrily.
The committee took an adjournment until
! tomorrow. when the taking of evidence will
be resumed, with Commissioner Sheehan in
! the witness box