New-York tribune., 1894-04-13
THE MUNICIPAL INVESTIGATION.


Since the Senate Committee which is invcsti-
eating the Police Department, having tardily
completed its preparations, got down TO bust
ness it has proceeded diligently and zealously
with its inquiry, constantly confirming public
confidence in its sincerity and ability. The
testimony which it has put on record would
have created veritable sensation In any com
munity not already pretty we'll convinced Of the
truth Of the accusations which long array OF
witnesses has established. But it is certainly
not the fault of the committee If. by producing
overwhelming proof Of the familiar charge that
the Police Department OF NeW-l ork mas pech
Systematically employed in cheating voters, IL
has merely justified the common bclef that the
charge was well founded An immense public
service has been rendered by the committee III
that it has succeeded in removing all posslbiii'y
of reasonable and honest doubt on the subject
of police completely in election crimes. IL Is
shameful that such things should be as TINS IN
oury has proved, but 1t was Indispensable that
the facts should be demonstrated.
The people now know that general observa-
ton and report have not done the police III
Justice They have heard numerous witnesses
whose crcdibility is beyond dispute. ana whose
testimony has been only strengthened on cross
examination, describe their personal expert
enccs at the polls with Tammany inspectors
and police officers stationed there have hcard
them tell how they have been insulted, inter
fered with, assaulted driven away and arrested
for merely asserting their rights and manifest
ing their purpose to stop the cheating gong on
under their eyes Instances enough OF TINS au-
dacious and abominablc work 10 prove com
prehcnsivc conspiracy have been revealed al
ready. and though the field has not been cS-
hausted future disclosures will be simply
cumulative. The imperative necessity or pass
ing the Bipartisan Police bill has been CON
clusivey demonstrated The bill has been much
improved by an amendment when Inc Iripuhe
has advocated from the first, giving larger
mowers 10 the Superintendent. In this form II
ought to be enacted without further delay.
The committee. which Is to resume the invcst-
cation to-day has already elected from fresl-
dent Martin n practical confession OF the COM
pletc subordination Of the department 70 lam
many Hall That line Of inquiry can be proh'-
ably pursued much further. We commend 10
the committee and TO It's counsel, Mr.. Suther-
land. whose professional reputc has been Ell
HANGED bv his services in that capacity, 40
especially searching and vigorous examination
of Martins colleagues. 1t has bcch lh'l-
mated that Sheehan may be put on the stahu
today We hope he will be. If diligently GULL
waited he can be made TO yield large results. lie
is not without shrcwdness, but he has dam
nable record, and is just the sort of man, we
should suppose, TO give up more than he means
TO under skilful and rcsoutc handling. Inc
nrobe which this committee is hidden to employ
cannot be put to n better use just now than by
inserting 1t into Shechan.
If is gratifying to learn that there Is not like
" to be any further trouble in passing the rcSo-
luton TO extend the time and scope or thc
Leyow Committee. That resolution Is TO come
IN ON special order in the Senate next Tuesday
morning and we hope it will be adopted, with
n modification still further cnlargine the powers
of the committee. The caucus agreement pro-
yides that the Excise Department and the De
partmcnt of Charities and Correction shall be
included in the inquiry. This addition is de-
sirablc. but il is not enough The whole ad-
ninistration of the Excise law ought undOubt-
cdly 10 be examined with the closest scrutiny,
and the conduct Of the Commissioners Of Char
tiles and Correction in respect to supplies and
elections can be prohtably investigated; but
there are other branches Of local government
which are not entitled TO exemption on any
grounds Whatsoever The Dock Department
needs to have food of light let into its secret
rccesses, and as for the police courts. they ought
to be turned inside out. If there Is any instru-
ment Of iniquity in the whole municipal tool
house which Is more bascly and audaciously
used in the service Of corruption and tyranny,
watchful observers Of public affairs are greatly
mistaken There is every reason why the po-
lice courts and the docks should be included in
the broader field which the committee will be
ready to occupy when it has finished with the
Police Department.