The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1895-01-02
WORSE AND WORSE.
A DAY OF STARTLING REVELATIONS
BEFORE THE LEXOW.

Tells a Spicy Story of Bribery, Corruption
Black1nan and Protection and Eucour-
agcmcat Of morality.
New York. Dec. 21.-This was the
most memorable day Of any in the his
tory of the Lexov Committee. Capt.
Schmittberser was the principal wit
ness and his examination lasted near
wall day and was full of sensations.
He put into so many words his conclu
sion, drawn from his experience. that
the police department of New York IS
rotten to the core He made one cN-
ception to the general condemnation.
He expressed the opinion that Superin-
tendent Bvrncs is an honest man and
means to do right when he is permit
ted to do so.
One of the minor incidents Of the
day previous to Capt. Schmittberger
taking the stand. was the discovery
that bogus subpnnas. have been sent
to people who were not wanted by the
committee. Lawyer Golf also stated
that he had received many scurrileus
letters rejecting on the character of
private individuals, to which he paid
no attention. When Capt. Schmitt-
berger took the stand all the other
witnesses were excused.
Capt. Schmittberger said he began
his career on the police force as pat
rolman under Capt. Williams. He
paid nothing for his appointment. but
said he knew that political pull was
more effective in getting men on the
force than merit, and that the men
who were appointed through political
influence were the worst men on the
foece. He could not tell where the
money went to for appointments but
he could tell as to promotions. 1t
went to go-betweens, one ofwhom he
named as Chas Grant ex-Commission-
er McClave's private secretary. While
witness was in Capt Williams's pre-
clnct the disorderly house branch Of
the business was looked after by De-
teetive Price, who is now captain.
Schmittberger was asked: Can YOU
state why. under Special Officer Price.
so many disordcrly houses were allow
ed to run. -.
Because they paid for protection: ;"
Mr.. Goff then named Tom Goulds
the Star and Garter, the Fashion"
and other once famous Tenderloln
places.
'These places" said the captain,
''were the resort of criminals of the
whole city who came there to meet
women.
sWho was the man to whom the
protection money went directly!
Capt. Williams.
'Would it be possible for these
places to run openly without the tole-
ration of the captainl
No sir. it would not.
The witness said that if the ward
man gave the officer on post lnstruc-
tons not to interfere with these hous-
es, the officers would not interfere
with them.
And if the officer did interfere!
"He would be changed Immediately.
did you ever hear that the officer
on post was instructed to cooperate
with the keepers of these disorerly
places?
Il do not know of any special orders
issued to officers, but officers know
what is expected of them" !,
These places were to be protected
in other words"
"Yes sir, that's so.
Schmittberger said with smile that
he had been made roundsman by Com
missioner Wheeler because he had
found Wheeler's lost dog.
"What commissioner appointed you
captain?"
Commissioner Voorhis. ;"
did you pay anythingI"
"Not a cent. I made the highest
percentage on the examination and |
had no talk with the commissioner. l
did not know that I was appointed IN
til the same morning"
"And you were appointed on your
merits?"
Eyes, sir, and I may say here be-
lieye Commissioner Voorhis IS a
thoroughly honorable man and do not
believe the stories about him:
Schmittberger confirmed all that has
been testified by wardmen, etc, as to
collections from business houses, po-
Icy shops and gambling houses for
the benefit of the captains, inspectors
and perhaps higher officials. He per
sona1ly paid considerable sums to Capt
Williams. That was not the usual
custom. but Schmittberger said ne
knew Williams well, and he did not
see the need of an Intermediary be-
tween them. He always paid In money
and only part of the same money re-
ceiveda blackmail. He collected about
$500 per month from three pool rooms
and ten policy shops. The pool rooms
paid 5000 per month each. The liquor
saloons he did not touch. 1t was un-
derstood that their money went direct
to Tammany Hall. He paid Williams
within the nine months he was IN
command of the 25th precinct about
$500. and said that it was the Gus.
tom of captains to pay the inspector OF
districts. The captain said he was
transferred because of a row he had
with hquor dealers. Superintendent
Bvrnes instructelthe captainst to make
no excise arrests for exposure. He
told us to arrest for selling drinks,
and not to make fake arrests. Il made
twenty-five arrests the first Sunday.
The president of the local Liquor Deal
ers' Association told the officers who
made the arrests he would have them
transferred"
Were they transferred.'
Yes, sir. they were transferred by
President Martin, and I was transfer
red, too. The liquor dealers complain
ed that I made too many bona tide ar
rests. and | was transferred to the 9Th
precinct, where there were few sa-
locus