New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-02-06
THE POLICE INQUIRY.
JOSEPH H. CHOATE DECLINES TO BE
COUNSEL. TO THE COMMITTEE
CHAIRMAN LEXoW ASSERTS POSITIVELY
THAT THE I<vrSTrc ALTON CANNOT

THAT THE INVESTIGATION CANNOT
BE CALLED OFF"
The announcement that Joseph III. Choate would
not act counsel of the Senate Committee In the
investigation of the Police Department in this
city was made az the meeting OF the sub-coin-
mittee at the Hotel MetroDole at noon yesterday.
1t was said that there would have to be further
delay in the selection OF counsel, but the name
Of no other prominent lawyer was suggested y
remark by the Rev. Dr. Parkhurst, expressing
d fear that the cc.lmttee might be called OF
at Il critical time in the Investigation called from
Senator Lexow plain and emphatic statement or
the intentions Of the committee. u WAS stated tnat
the committee would have another meeting at the
hotel Friday afternoon. and proceed with
the investigation On the following day. with or
without counsel.
Charles Stewart smith, president 0: the Chamber
Of Commerce. ana the Rev. d.. ParkEurst were 1T
the hotel promptly AT The tne set for the meeting
yesterday and a number Of other men We're there
when Senator's I.eNow. Robertson and Bradley
arrived. When Chairman Lexow called the meet
Ing 20 order and asked for any report upon the
question " selecting counsel for the committee. Mr.
Smith and said.
II am exceedingly sorry 10 say mat Mr. thoate
after considering all the circumstances. found that
he could not get rio of his engagements Tor Feb
ruary, and that II would be Impossible for him to
act as the counsel for the committee. lie came
that conclusion late on saturday night since
counsel, but | find tina, we must ask for the
further indulgence Of the committee We have
found, in talks with eminent lawyers that
they fear there will no, be sufficient time for
thorough investigation If The committee sits Tor
only two or three days each week during the re-
mande- Of the month DR. Parkhurst ana may
he able TO send to Albany the names OF counsel
T. be selected before the middle Of the week
think 1T would no; be well TO suggest the names
of other counsel until We have first obtained the
consent Of the lawyers themselves
RELATIONS or TIE CHAMBER AND THE COM
MITTEE.
THE time has arrived when it is proper that I
should explain what | conceive to be the relations
which should exist between the representatives Of
the Chamber Of Commerce ana your committee as
respects the investigation Of the Police Department.
IT has been the practice of the Chamber TO assist
in the promotion Of good laws, the defeat of bad
laws and the amendment of imperfect ones, as far
as they affect the well-being of State ana city
and especially as TO those which directly or in
directly affect trade or good government
at came TO our knowledge that there had been
introduced into the Legislature and referred to the
Committee on cities sO-called non-partisan hii
for the appointment of four Police Commits soners.
This bill was considered by the Chamber 10 be
against the interests of good government, and n
committee appointed by that body to oppose
the bill and TO favor substitute which should pro-
vide single head for the Police Department. The
Chamber believes, as stated in Colone! Er-
harlt's address before it. 70 which call your
attention as It bears directly upon the matter be-
fore you, that the Police Department in our city
requires az a thorough and complete over
hauling and reorganization. 10 the end that the
department may be absolutely divorced from all
potcal action and that The duty of appointing
election inspectors should be transferred to sep
arate bureau.
I'VE shall respectfully ask you to take such testi-
mony as will aid you in a decision regarding the
respective merits of one head or four for this de-
partment. We suggest that you call as witnesses
and experts upon the question Of reorganization of
the department the Hon. Thomas c. Acton and
the Hon. Joel B. Erhardt. both ex-members OF the
Police Board also Mr.. Henry r. Beekman, man
well acquainted with the relations OF the board to
the public. and with your permission we may ada
other names that may prove of service 10 You in
the performance of your duties.
Colonel Erhardt. in his address TO the Chamber.
stated that the Police Department Is the only one
In the city which, spending In round numbers five
millions Of dollars annually is still practically It's
own controller and auditor. lie also states that
there is corps of clerks that has been for twenty
years copying records that can be Of no possible use
TO any human being. DO not these facts require
investigation
I'VE also ask your attention to and investigation
OF the records of the trials Of officers and men be-
fore the Commissioners. and for example refer you
to the of Captain Williams now Inspector,
tried before four Commissioners. The Commits
soners In this equally divided as TO the
guilt innocence of the accused and subsequently
three out of the four united in voting for his pro-
motion The Chamber believes that the reorganizl-
ton Of the Police Department of New-York is one
of the most important duties which can engage
your attention legislators. and it is the hope of
that body that you will give such time 10 the in
vestgation its importance demands.
1T is charged in the press and believed in this
community that corrupt practices prevail to large
extent between the saloons. the gambling houses
OF members o
Police Department The Chamber has no knowledge
and no proofs to offer upon these heads. Nor does
the Chamber consider 1t TO be its duty to invest-
gate any charges which may come before YOU We
consider duty is fully performed when we sug-
gest lines of investigation that seem important
and we SHALL II II be agreeable to you continue
TO take this liberty occasion may offer At the
same time the Chamber viii! be glad to render 10
you all the assistance in its power.
WHAT THE COMMITTEE EXPECTED.
Chairman Lexow inquired If Mr.. Choate had made |
any formal decnation by letter and Mr.. Smith |
replied that as Mr. Choate had received no official
notice that he had been selected by the committee
he thought sufficient TO send the verbal mes
sage. Senator Bradley said that 1t nigh: be pos
sibe for the committee TO get week off ana spend
an entire week in the city if the investigation |
promised we'll at the start. The time for the in |
vestigatlon could be extended after February % |
also. Chairman Lexow then said:
TT Is only fair TO state that the committee ex-
pected to be made acquainted with some definite |
charges which could be investigated immediately
upon arrival in the city. II was Disappointing |
to find nothing OF the sOrt for our considera-
ton, and found ourselves in something of d
dilemma. because when the resolution providing
for the investigation passed 1t supposed
that there were charges to be investigated. II We
discover facts to show that further time and ex-
pense would be warranted, We doubtless will get az
much time want We have come here
q partisan committee out State Senator'S
pecting perform our duty and expecting the CO.
operation Of the persons who have demanded the
investigation. AS work Is meant 10 benefit the
Wy o |
all persons seek the benefit OF the city. We
not here in the interest OF any particular legis-
lation. but expect to submit TO the Legislature.
after ascertaning the facts. report looking to the
best interests of the city"
"Wl any action be taken in the Legislature upon
measures affecting the Police Department until you
make your report?' Mr.. Smith inquired
II cannot bind the Senate" Chairman Lexow |
piled 1--WE here to serve the interests OF the