The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-12-22
ALL BUT BYRNES.
Corruption of the New
York Police.
ROTTEN TO IT'S CENTER.
BlackmaiI, Bribery and Extortion
Common Crimes.
sneEHAN AND MARTIN CAUGHT.
After Denying Everything Captain
Schmittberger Confesses Lest
Worse Harm BefalI Him.

mlttee to-day 10 the effect that the entire
police system of New York, with the ex-
ception of Superintendent Byrnes and
few others. was rotten to the core; that
blackmail and bribery, extortion and c1r-
ruptlon were common crimes In the de-
partment. and that merceDary methods
alone actuaied his fello w-officers. His
charges implicated Inspectors Williams
and McAvoy, ex-Inspeetor Steers, Police
Commissioners James B. Martin and John
G. Sheehan, Captains Price. Gastlin and
Martens, ex-Captain John Gunner and
Wardmen Dunlap, Robert Vail and James
Cannon.
Without question this has been the most
important day in the history oil the COM
mittee. Schmittberger' confession is pro-
life of not only sensation, but of evidence
which confirms and yerities what has been
hitherto considered the most exaggerated
case of police and official corruption. 1t
deals with more individual cases and it
shows the criminality that has prevailed
in the Police Department.
Captain Schmittberger is under indict-
ment for bribery, and had previously re-
fused to testify before the Senate commit
tee. Yesterday. however. he was rear
took advantage of an offer of immunity
from punishment held out to him by Mr..
Golf and agreed TO make clean breast
of it.
1.-The pillars of the church are fallen, :"
said he on the witness-stand this after
noon, "and l deem it due my conscience,
my wife and my children to tell what
know" Meanwhile dark circles had crept
uBder his eyes. his face assumed a sickly
pallor, an air of utter WEAKNESS and de-
lection possessed him, and he appeared, as
he was, in extreme mental torture and
agony.
But no spirit of sympathy moved the
throng of spectators. Sneers and sarcastic
laughter instead answered the acknowl-
edgment of his WEAKNESS. when at last
| Counsel Golf permitted him to vacate the
witness-stand.
The city tonight is not turbulent with
excitement as it was just week ago on
the occasion of Captain Creedon's confess
sion. Instead an atmosphere of sup
pressed Indignation prevails. In official
circles no attempt is made in contradic-
ton or derogation of Captain Schmittberg-
er's allegations. and everywhere is heard
the comment, sit could not have been
worse; it must end"
The news that Schmttberger had con-
sented TO tell all he knew spread through
the city with the speed of whirlwind and
drew TO the committee-ro0m vast throng
of citizens who clamored and struggled for
admission. In political and official circles
the intelligence created furor.
Senator O'COnnor denied that he had
asserted as is alleged, that Mr.. Golf had
bulldozed and intimidated witnesses be-
fore the Lexow committee. Iu speaking
of the proposed continuation of the CON-
mittee, OCOnnor said: "The Police De-
partment is rotten to the very foundation,
and / should be the last to oppose an inves-
tigation."
That there Is some discord between
Counsel Golf and the commission. however,
is conceded fact, and that this dissension
is over the question as to why Superinten-
dent Byrnes and other officers have not
been called to testify is not denied. 1t is
also believed that misunderstanding ex-
lists between DR.. Parkhurst and Mr.. Goff
with the relation to the propriesy of sum-
moning Superintendent Byrnes.
With reference to this matter Counsel
Goff's assistant, Mr.. Jerome, said that it
was one thing to put man in the witness
chair. and another to get proof again st
him to attain sufficient results. He
thought that Byrnes and Commissioner
Martin would be called next week.
Father Ducey was present before Sena-
tor Lexow, O'Connor and others arrived
this morning. Police Captains Schroeder
and Westerly also occupied spectato rs'
seats. Justice VOORHEES, held a consults-
tion with Mr.. Golf, and in response to
questions the Justice said that he ex-
pected to 60 on the witness-stand to-day.
He had turned over all his bank books to
Mr.. Goff, and was anxious to vindicate
himself against the allegations made by
John W. Rappanhagen and Captain Cree
don.
Justice Voorhees, said he had not been
subpenaed. He appeared voluntarily and
was ready to answer all questions. He
also said that IL he was not permitted to
testify he would send written statement
to the committee.
1t was late when the first witness of the
day, Adoph Reinhart, was called. He
had last night been served with subpoena
signed John w. Goff, and the signature
proved to be false. Mr.. Goff said this was
only Ou0 OI tu0 uduJ duuOyduCoS suuoT6u
by him. He remarked that the work of
the committee did not deal with personal
affairs.
Policeman Charles Holland owned pri-
yate residence at 1889 Amsterdam avenue,
eight lots in Forty-sixth street, six lots in
Foriy-second street and fiat valued at
500. 500. He had been policeman fifteen
years.
"And you bought all of this property out
of your salary?"
Certainly not. l have dealt in real
estate with a Mr.. Bradley of Blooming
dale Asylum and made all my money that
way"
Captain Schmittberger was recalled.
You are captain in the Nineteenth Pre-
cinct?" began Mr.. Golf.
YES"
You recognize the binding character of
your oath?"
Il do; have come to tell the whole