The herald., 1894-10-03
THE LExow COMMITTEES.
Poiicensen Accused OF Clubbing Citizens
on the Witness Stand.

Poiicensen Accused OF Clubbing Citizens
on the Witness Stand.
New York, Oct. 2.-Chief Counsel
Gof surprised the Lexow committee to-
day. He subp@nasd all the members
of the force convicted OF clubbing citi-
zens during the pact year, but who for
some reason, have retained their posi-
tiens on the force.
The feature OF the day, however, WAS
the testimony OF the men accused OF
clubbing citizans. Many surprising
stories OF inhumanity we're told by the
witnesses. A son of Rev. DR.. John Hall.
the Presbyterian divine, claimed he had
been forcibly elected from q station
house because he had gone there and
protested against an assault by an off,
Ger upon an Italian fruit peddler.
A Columbia college student told OF
the assaults OF the policemen made
upon the students while they were
building bonfires in vacant lot to cele-
brate one OF their victories.
Thomas Lucas said he asked Poliee-
man Bernard Dunn IL he had caught q
thief who had stolen $4 from him. By
way OF reply the policeman had dubbed
him, inhicting wounds on his head. 1t
required 27 stitches to patch him up,
and when he reached the police station
the policeman punched him In the
face.
Policeman George Lacey was accused
OF clubbing o woman and trying TO tear
her cheek by inserting his finger be-
tween her lips.
Policeman Rohering acknowledged he
had broken boys jaw, but claimed
that this particular case of clubbing was
accidental.
About 30 policemen were present.
They were, said Lawyer Frank Meas,
officers convicted by the board Of police
Tor clubbing citizens.
"Oar object" the attorney continued,
"is to show that while there have been
hundreds Of convictions during the past
three years for clubbing, only four dis.
miasals have occurred. We allsge that
the board encourages clubbing by failing
to properly publish it,"
Lawyer Golf added that OF four 6ia.
missals, only one was for clubbing citi-
zens, the other three being for clubbing
brother officers. Then Goff msde this
astounding statement:
Policemen commit felonies which
would pat q civilian in prison and are
only punished by fine. Citizens may
be Drained and the brutal officer
will only have the fear of q
probable fine OF three davs'
pay. We call your attention to the
perjury committed when these police.
men are brought to trial. To quote the
language OF police commissioners, the
air at the police headquarters' trial
room is blue with perjury"
Lawyer Moss was sworn. He testified
that he was counsel to the Parkharst SO.
oiety and member of the executive
committee. He then told of the efforts
of the West Twenty.seventh Street Prop.
erty Owners association to purify the
block. Capt. Alexander S. williams sent
Wardmsn around 70 an Indignation meet.
ing OF the association to tell them to
drop the work or ne would club them
out OF the precinct. Moss said he re-
piled: "Go tell your captain be will
explode can OF dynamite il he tackles
u.s." Then witness told Williams had
been brought to jail in July, 1887, and
though the evidence was complete, he
was acquitted on tie vote.
Mike Riordan. accused OF O murderous
assault on George Appo, Lexow COM
mittee witness and e subpoena server,
was acquitted today before Judge Ryan.
Apo, accused of attempted suicide. was
released ON parole.