New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-10-02
courts? A.-No. because policemen uniusty dis
missed from the force would have no remedy


that the effect OF the frequent relnstaements Of
dismissed policemen haG been injurious to the dis
c!pne of the force. At time he said. the courts
did not review the action OF the Police Commits
sloners 10 facts, but only as to legal questions
involved but the lasy changed 50 that the
courts also inquired the facts presented at the
trial of policeman when the action of the Com
missioners reviewed
Q.-Pleasc explain how you regard the action OF
the courts as Injurious In such cases? Al MINK
the courts have little appreciation of the evidence
which is presented to the Commissioners IN some
cases 1 have in mind the case OF policeman G %h9
at Seventh-ave. and One-hundred-d and Uenty-iith-
ST. some years ago. on appeal the General Term
agreed with the Commissioners the facts. but
the decision Of the General Term was reversed by
the Court of Appears.
CHANGES WHICH HE FAVORS.
Asked by Mr. Golf to expr .ss some more opinions
Mr. MacLean said he did not think it would be well
to change the law so that the acts of the Police
Board in Diminishing policemen should not be sub
ject to review. He thought that the Commissioners
should have final judgment as 70 the facts Pu;
the courts should have power 70 decide II the ac'oh
OF the Board OF Police legal in any case. lie
did not think that the police force would be I'M
Commissioners over IT, He admitted that it had
been the rule for the Commissioners to apporuon
the appointments and promotions among themselves
and they had not disagreed, except on some occa-
sions when there had been misunderstanding as
promotion. Promotions 10 the rank OF Superinieni-
ent or INSPECTOR however were made by an i@ur
police surgeon
Mr.. MacIean sail he thought the operation of
the Civil Service regulations had not improved the
police force. He said in explanations; nave
thought that some of the men returned by the civil
Service Board for appointment as policemen were
not well qualified. have thought that some 81 the
for examination were better than those who were
returned have thought that the fault was due
largely to the incompetercy of the examiners as
j knew of corruption in the examinations.
on BYRNEs's RECENT ACTION.
The attention Of Mr. MacLean was called TO the
resolution of September 1871. which superintendent
Byrnes lately asked the Police Board TO rescnd ana
ne said that the resolution probably was an en-
barrassment to the Superintendent. because it was
doubtful if policeman who refused to get cyl
dence against liquor-deaier could be punished by
the Commissioners while the resolution was in force
supe rh s and Of tie force enforce law
resolution OF the Commissioners which stood in his
way, in a proper enforcement of the law -,
force bad been psid for NNot 50 as TO give evil
dence about it. l heard reports that men had paid
Odd you ever try to investigate such reports?
Al made repeated investigations 1 .,,n o,3erco
of such payments? A-No. never was able to
o'"when did such reports cease? Al don't
know that they have ceased yet
THOSE REPORTS OF BRIBERY.
Q.-were there reports that captains had paid
for their promotion? Al heard some reports OF
that kind.
Board
of such reports? Al do not remember that there
was such action by the board. think each of the
Commissioners felt that the reports concerned MN
individually l never felt that such reports ahected
O. G3y Senator Bradley)-Do you think that police;
law than under the Civii Service rules? A.-Yes.
Q.-Was the appearance of the men appointed 'heh
Q.IIs it not true that some of the men on the
squad io9aE cGu hone o not but think
such examinations fail to return the pest men,
c ci'ie,rs of some of the men returned
After leaving the wiiness-chair NJ MaGLea an sat
min D. Van Ruren, formerly the chief mailing clerk
in the Postoice IT. Jersey CITY was eXamnea by
goods swinders hired twenty or thirty boxes al
the in JeTye T ber eers he Su hey
were stopped by order from the postofhce in
spector.
HAD NO CHANCE FOR DEFENCE
Nothing more was of the swindlers there
until last year. he said, when they suddenly be-
gan to mail their circulars at the office in Jersey
City. The witness called the attention Of Postmas-
ter Dickinson to the fact, and Mr. Dickinson TOOK
lot Of the circulars over to Inspector James, IN
New-York. He returned with orders to have all
of the circulars sent out promptly. inspector Ed
gerton. of Philadelphia, also gave orders TO nave
the circulars dispatched promptly. Then the swim
ders began 10 send out many as 1900 circulars
a day. and 1t was necessary to have the big pun
dies Of circulars brought into the postofhce by
the back door. The Swindlcrs bought stamps IN
large quantities. paying much as $500 at time
The mailing clerks had 10 sit up until late in the
morning to assert the circulars, and some Of them
sent a complaint to Anthony Comstock who made
the investigation which suddenly drove the swim
oilers out Of Jersey City. The witness was dis
charged without opportunity TO make any de-
fence and his appeal for an investigation OF any
charges against him had been denied.
HE PAID MONEY TO LEVY.
,ba with hat
'tough' looking German. who answered TO the
name OF David Kronman, and said he lived at
No. 100 East Houston-st. He testified that he for
mery had kept a cafe at No l79 East Houston-st.
Morris Jacobs. former witness before the COM
mttee acted as Interpreter. It became evil
dent that Jacobs wanted to color the testimony
of the witness, but Senator Lexow took him to
task and compelled him TO translate correctly.
Kronman testified that he had paid s25 a month
for four months to Policeman jeremiah ;. Levy
when Levy was the ward man in the, Eleventh
Precinct. under Captain Cortright. lie mad no II
naid the money 10 Levy to keep the 'stoopi
cons away. He had paid the money. he declared.
by the advice of Mr. Arnstein, neighbor, who
Mr. Moss and Jacobs tried to get the witness 70
say that money had been paid to Levy m the
presence of Captain Cortrieht, but the witness
had the answer recorded.
CORTRIGHT NOT IMPLICATED.
Captain Cortright was very strict when he went
TO the place and found girls there the witness
said He drove them all out along with
guests, struck the witness and pushed his wife
rudey, and declared that the witness must get
out or have the place turned upside down. The
captain could not find any liquor in the place.
however. and no arrests were made. After that
the witness said he paid money to Levy and con-
tinued to the cafe. but after time he was
called to the police station. and told by the cap
tain that there had been complaint sent TO Su-
perintendent Byrnes. The captain told him ne
must get out in eight days. He tod Levy that he
wanted back the money he mad paid for protcc-
ton, and Levy gave back So Then he offered To
nav $50 for leave TO stay in his cafe. but Levy
said that there had been complaint AT head
quarters 1t would cost 800 TO 'fx the big fel
lows there. kronman said he borrowed $7j, and
afterwerd paid so 10 Levy. who told MIN he might
al another oaIe In ,ha nracIncl. lie OpnEe1 n