The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-01-15

Tammany; that we are at the beginning of
a civic revolt against criminal municipal
government, not merely of an effort TO Sc
cure more virtuous police captains and in
spectors.
Political control of the police force has
resulted in grave accusations, of many OF
which DR.. Parkhurst and at least two daily
newspapers believe they have proof strong
enough to lead to the conviction OF officials
of the highest rank The first accusation
goes to the character of the police commits
sioners. 1t is that the majority of them are
men who believe that politics is business
out of which, all who are in places OF hon
or and trust which should make as much
possible. This is their faith. 1t is as
serted that their practices have been in ac-
cord.
GRAVE ACCUSATIONS.
1t is charged that police commissioners
ma, and that some of them do, grow rich
wit lin a single term, and on a salary of
$50 D year. One newspaper has published
a statement showing how Commissioner
Martin moved from a cheap fiat to a house
in the most expensive neighborhood in the
city within q few months of his appoint
ment; and it declares that within less than
fourteen months he purchased a house that
is valued at $4,000. Another newspaper as
serts and prints documentary evidence in
support of the assertion, that Commission.
er Sheehan left the office of controller of
the city OF Buffalo a defaulter TO the
amount of $500. This accusation is sup
ported by declarations of Sheehan's success
sor in the office of controller. Sheehan OPP
poses TO this accusation his simple denial,
and an explanation that involves an admls-
sion of what seems TO be gross careleSSnesS
in the management of the publics business.
1t has been charged by the Wine and
Spirit Reporter, which is understood to be
the organ of the Liquor Dealers Associa-
ton. that tribute to the amount of S50O,000
a year was levied by the police the
liquor dealers of the city, ostensibly for the
benefit of Tammany Hall. 1t is said by the
1r1la n%ffx hnf fhn nnin he
dealers separately, protested against tins
heavy tax, and that compromise was
ton was changed to a political! contribu-
ton. In other words, instead Of 100000
year in money, the liquor dealers pay with
their own and their customers votes for
Tammany protection, and in order that
the wrongdoers among them may keep
open their side doors" on Sunday and cleo
them may not be the victims Of police
tyranny, this great body of voters are the
henchmen Of the bandits whose quarry Is
the richest city of the country.
The charge is made that another method
of raising money is by he sale of appoint
ments and promotions. The power TO APP
point and promote is vested by law in the
commissioners. 1t is said, and proof is OF
fered, that men have bought these appoint
ments at a cost of about $500 each Two
specific charges have been made of pur-
chase of police captaincies. The names of
it is said that $1,000 was paid, and in the
other the sum was $4,000. The
g gepF6yY IS salary 5O OF AS $1,000 police ef
the money paid in the first case was said
to have been borrowed eight notes, all
tain was without means, having borrowed
the other 5000 on a life insurance policy,
which he took out for the purpose, it is
evident that he expected to make enough
out of his position by disreputabe meth
DDS to pay his debt That he did not is
police commissioners to give the captain a
profitable precinct"
HOW 1T is DONE
The method of working a profitable
precinct is illustrated by a number of
charges that are made and proof of which
is offered not only by DR.. Parkhurst, but
by one of the newspapers that have been
actively engaged in unearthing the scan
dals. 1t must be borne in mind that the
tribute levied does not go TO the enrichment
of the captain of the precinct or the in
spector of the district. That is not the &C
cusation. The money is said to be shared
between those who connive at it's collec-
ton, including corrupt police commissioners,
Hall. First in the list of these charges is that
which has already been quoted
beaer the of The the tribute euS OF
the saloon is paid for permission 10
violate the excise law. All that the admin
istrators of the law exact is that the liquor
shop shall be entered through the side door
on Sundays and election days, and when
ever the law requires the saloon to be
closed. The amount of this tax has been
already stated, on the authority of the
Wine and Spirit Reporter. at $4,000. This
is a verifcation Of the estimate in Har-
per's Weekly some time ago. which placed
the annual income of Tammany Hall at
some where near 100000.
Beside the liquor dealers, IL is charged
that there are two sources of revenue-one
from the vicious, who buy protection the
liquor dealers do; and the other from respec-
fn fTDg faCr rsll lrIN
the friendship of the politicians through the
police. This tax is perhaps the most eXaS-
perating outrage that is committed upon the
free people OF this community, for 1t Is not
only robbery, but it's victims must yield
or go out of business. In some quarters of
the city, where every one is supposed TO be
free 10 pursue any legal occupation unmo-
Tested, shop keepers are forced to buy IL
cense of Tammany. the tax being collected
through the police, who are forced to levy
it whether they like to or not.
The persons VINO pay tribute for the pro-
lection of vice are keepers of dives and
other dtSOTderly houses, gamblers of all
kinds, from the saloon frequented by the
rich and powerful, the humblest pool
ROOM; yeceiyers Of stolen property and 9TH
- criminals, who are completely under
the control of the police that the latter can
often secure the reurn Of stolen property
when they cannot, or will not, arrest or
find the thief
The police have extensive powers over
some kinds Of business. The law makes II
their duty to supervise licensed vendors
proprietors OF places which are limited and
circumScribed by statute They are aiso
clothed with administrative powers in sani-
tary matters, and are aids 10 the BOARD of
Health. They may also arrest without war
rant In many cases, and the power TO ar
rest for "disorderly conduct is very wide.
Only recently q lawyer of this city was ar
rested by park policeman on this general
charge, apparently for purposes or black
mail. When his case came up for hearing.
il was discovered that the policeman VINO
arrested him had not a particle OF evidence
The opportunities for blackmail under the
law are numerous enough TO satisfy the
greediest The police also enforce the city
ordinances such the ordinance relating
TO the obstruction OF sidewalks. II an hon
est merchant does not pay tribute. either
directly or by joining one or more of the
numerous political clubs that exist in every
assembly district, he is liable TO constant
annoyance, and occs Sionally he is hauled
before a Police Court and fined. while his
more plant neighbeor is permitted TO VIC
late the ordinance with impunty. Under
the sanitary law the police may at any
time invade building. \ prominent man.
who is the proprietor Of a large hotel and
who has refused to make his peace with
the Croker leader OF his assembly district Is
subject TO constant police irritation and
has been forced 10 eXpend hundreds OF dol
lars in replacing yentllatOrS and In making