Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1895-03-26
MORTON TAKES i HAND
Addresses a Sharp Message to
the New York Legislature.
POLICE REFORMS NEEDED AT ONCE.

Governor Morton Urged the Passage of the
Police Magistrates BIZ. and the Assem-
bly, at Once Compiled Thinks the Lexow |
Investigation should Bear Fruit.
ALBANY. March 26.- The event Of ast |
evenings session was the introduction in
the assembly by Mr.. Ainsworth Of two po- |
lice bills for New York city. One pro-
yides for a bipartisan police commission
to be appointed by tho mayor The other
deputizes the existing commission to reor-
ganizo tho force, but the mayor is clothed
with veto power on all Of its arrange
monts. So far as possible the Lexow and
the committee Of seventy measures have
been incorporated. The bills wore referred
TO the committee on cities
When Mr.. Gleason's bill repeating the
Lawson dock bill, passed last year. was
reached on the order Of second reading,
there was some hot discussion, which was
ended by the bill being recommitted to
the cities committee on motion Of Mr.
O'Grady.
Mr.. Lawson moved the passage Of the
police magistrates BILL and after some dis.
cussion it was passed-S5 to ~.
When the senate convened the governor
sent in a message ON the New York police
magistrates bill, and II was read and re-
ferred to tho judiciary committee. The
governor nominated as special port ward
en- for New York Horace Il. Buell. Of Port
Richmond
The following bills were passed: Sena-
tor Cantor's appropriating $40, 600 for
the support Of the schoolship st Mary's
and turning same over ia the state; Mr.
pavcy's, regulating the grades and pay Of
firemon in cities Of 500, 900 Inhabitants
and increasing their pay, amended so as
TO exclude Brooklyn.
A Message From the Governor.
Governor Morton sent to the legislature
a message urging the passage Of the po-
lice magistrates bill for New York city
and recommending the adoption of q
measure that will place in proper hands
| the power TO rcorganize and regenerate
the police department. Of the metropolis !"
| The governor says
Tho constitution OF the state makes It
my imperative duty to recommend to the
| legislature from time to time such meas
ures as may deem expedient. / call the
| attention of the legislature to q matter Of
the highest present importanco-nam
tho reorganization Of the inferior Grim
inal courts of New York city. Ten weeks
have elapsed, but the measure has not yet
| been passed by either house. Unless
| prompt action is taken upon it there is
danger that it may fail to become law.
Such result would DO a public misfor-
tune. II is widely, perhaps generally, be-
lieved that in some Of the present police
courts there is today practical denial O
justice,
This belief is strkingly sustained il
the report made by the Lexow committee
II Is there charged that very important
reason why the police have been able Il
carry on and successfully perpotrato theil
reprehensble practices IS that at leas
some Of the police Justices have apparentl,
worked In sympathy and collision will
them.
Tyranny of the Police"
/ Again it is stated that because Of TIN
maladministration that prevails in thos
courts the poor and needy wero unable Il
obtain redress or relief from the oppres
sion or the tyranny Of the police and tina
their path 20 justice was completely block
cd.
4 "These are serious charges and seem L
7 be largely supported by public opinion il
the city Of New York. They invite tn
, careful consideration Of lawmaking powe
and call for speedy remedy II is {
these inferior criminal courts-the yer
sources Of the administration Of crimina
: | iustice-that the poor especially look 70
I protection from oppression and wrong
\ When these fountains Of Justice are pollui
. cd, the evil results to the people arc b.
, yond calculation.
a doubt has been expressed as TO Oh
oonstitutionaIity Of this bill, but tina
doubt has been practically solved in il
i favor by the recently published opinion
4 Of some Of the most eminent and learne
n lawyers in New York city.
y II desire also TO call attention 70 u
I. need Of prompt reorganization Of the p'
lice department Of New York city.
Sin the testimony before the Bexo
committee II was charged that many men
i bers 81 the police force among them on
u cers Of high grade were not only hlacl
n mailers and cxtortioners, but were actiy
y " in league with the criminal classes.
a is generally believed that the extent Of q
legged corrupt practices has not yet be,
fully revealed. I therefore recommend u
early passage Of the police magistrate
. bill, 50 called and Of measure that wi
place in proper hands the power 70 REQ
y ganize and rcgenerate the police depar
1 ment Of the metropolis.