Morning journal and courier., 1894-03-07
POLICE eommussIoNERs

Make D0m0n0 TOT FrOO1 or Dfs smyth's Charges-A Spicy Meet- | ing. | Commissioner Doolittls was the only member of the board not present last evening. The meeting was an interesting one and MT. Doolittle would have acquired some knowledge of the ability of his brother commissioners to make things warm had he been present.
 Mayor Sargent presided and acted ss defender of the Law and Order league. The five commissioners were either di- rectly opposed to him or leaning from him.
 President Hum submitted the following paper and asked permis sion to sign it as president and in behalf of the board: NEW HAVEN, March 6, 1894. Rev. Dr. Newman Smyth, President of the Law and Order League of New Ha- ven:
 Dear Sir-In reply to the complaint of your organization against the efficiency of the police department of this city. pre- sented by you at the meeting of the board of police commissioners held on Tuesday, the 27th ult., permit me to say, in behalf of the board, that after careful considera- l ton of the allegations contained therein, we are impressed with the desirability of ( | more thorough investigation of the facts | upon which the same are based. The al legation that members of this department are in 1esguelwith the violators of the law, aud have protected from them It's enforce ment by timely notice of intended raids we feel to be specially unjust, and we can. not suffer 1t to pass without proof.
 We most respectfully request that such proof as you may have be presented al our next meeting.
 the efficiency of the department as ar agency for the suppression of crime, the enforcement of the law, the preservation of order, the repression of fmmoralitJ and indecency, we welcome any assistance to that end that may Ee afforded by good citizens. We stand ready to punish, as fl may deserve, any neglect of duty on the part of any member of the force and te this end invite the cooperation of any and every citizen who may become cogni zsnt of any such neglect of duty.
 We feel obliged to take issue with you in reference to your declaration that thit Ia ia function which private citizens ought not to be obliged to assume"
 We hold 1t to bs the duty of every good citizsn to co operate with us in promoting the efficiency of the department by mak l ing known to us any evidence they may have of any neglect of duty on the part o1 any member of the force.
 1 We could suggest, however, that il would be more conducive to the efficiency of the department, more certain to insure the detection and punishmept of the vio lators of the law, and mora likely to pro tect the fair name and repute of our city if such communications could bs made without unnecessary publicity.
 To the members of the Law and Orde1 league, to all good citz zsns of New Haven we have simply to say that If you have any 1 evidence of specific neglect of duty, o1 any evidence of police malfeasancs of any kind, the production of the same before this board in proper form will always bt welcome and will be treated with that de gree of consideration which it's importance demands.
 We must be pardoned, however. for de clining to investigate wholesale charges un the sober common sense of the community for our justification in so doing.
 Respectfully yours,
 FRANc1s E. HuNN,
 President Board Commissioners, for thu
 Board.
 In the second sentence the word "chal lenge" appeared before the word "proof. Mayor Sargent obj -cted to thie. Commis sioners Clancy, Giihuly, Hum and Prince seemed to think that the word was al right Commissioner Toronto was mor' conservative. On his advice the word wa striken out and the board authorized th signing of 1t by President Hum.
 After the meeting adjourned Commle -f- n.s ko l 'The police department is very eff | cent"