New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-06-09
,rI4yGULIN'S CONVICTION.

WLAJGHLIN'S CONVICTION
The Justice Of the conviction of Inspector Nc
Laughln cannot be doubted. The case made
against him on his second trial was, If possible,
| even stronger than that made ON the first. when
large part of the jury believed him guilty
Yet the result Of the trial was probably a sur
prise to the great majority Of the people who
| read Of il yesterday morning. II was not That
| they had any doubt Of the corruption which pre-
vailed in the Police Department, nor questioned
| the connection Of the inspector herewith. nor
| doubted the conclusive character OF the evidence
| against him, the vigor Of the prosecution or the
| mpartiality of the Judge Their sccptciSm re-
suited from experience Of the faults of our jury
| system and the methods adopted by the defence
| 10 prevent a verdict being rendered. The policy
| Of McLaughlin's lawyers from the beginning
| was not TO establish the Innocence OF their
| client but TO use every point the law gave them
| or their smartncss could devise To keep him by
| technicalitcS and delay from suffering the pen
| atty for his crime
At the beginning Of the first trial they SO
abused their privilege in the selection Of jurors
rs TO create a public scandal and lead 10 grave
discussions OF the advisabty of changing The
Jury laws. The hlling Of the jurybox was de
| lnyed from day 10 day. and effort was conccn
lralcd on the work of getting one or more Jurors
| accepted for the trial OF the ease who would
prevent n verdict of guilty being reached no
| matter what evidence was brought against the
| accused Inspector. Only extreme vigilance on
| the part Of Justice Barrett and the prosecuting
| attorneys prevented the acceptance on the jury
| Of nj least one man having close relations with
| some of McLaughlns friends on the police force.
| While the selection 81 the jury was going on de
| tcctvcs from the bureau over which the In
spcctor presided up to the time or his suspcn-
| sion were in court mingling with the ialesmen,
presumably to help their old chief while pre-
| tending to serve the city. The first trial over,
the battle was renewed on points OF law. Just1ce
Pratts scrupulous regard for personal liberty
was invoked. and his fears aroused That the
Justices Of the Supreme Court In the FIRST De
partment would not be fair In their treatment
Of McLaughn when he was again brought 10
| trial That came near delaying his rearralGn-
mcnt but Justice Ingraham blocked the scheme
| Of the defence. and the weary work OF getting
| a Jury was again begun. The policy OF 'he couli
sci for the prisoner was entirely one OF ingenuity
| but the vgor Of the prosecution and the hrin
ness Of Justice Barrett, Notwithstanding the
| severe physical strain 10 which he was put by
the prolonged trial, brought the case TO right
conclusion That Mclaughlin Will rest quietly
under his conviction is not to be expected. All
that clever attorneys versed in the tcchnicalitcs
Of law and intent from the beginning on max
ing points with which they could secure delay
| in reaching a verdict or in carrying out a SEN
tence. can do in the way Of appeal will be done.
| Rut the case has been tried with great care by
! an able iurisi and there Is good reason for CON
| 6dence that the conviction will be sustained. At
any rate. Mclaughlin is now in the TOmbs, and
there is no way apparent for him to get out for
at least a week
The conviction OF Mclaughlin is important in
its bearings on the reformation Of the Police De
partment 1t sets precedent for the punishment
Of eyildoers In high place, and raises the hope
that vigorous prosecution Of all who have been
shown or all who shall be shown to have been
guilty Of corrupt practices may be undertaken.
MCLAUGHLIN deserves his punishment, but one
corrupt Inspector does not make rotten force.
There are others as guilty as he, and In all lkeli-
hood much more guilty. Some Of the men whose
regulations suffered most before the Senate
Committee are now drawing life pensions from
the city. McAvoy was retired by favor Of the
Tammany- Plat Commission. and Williams was
retired as the only way in which the new Board
could get rid OF his evil influence In the de-
partment. They are beyond the reach or the
Police Commission, but they are not beyond the
reach Of the courts. They may establish Their
innocence and prove that the general impression
of their conduct as officers Is unjust but they
and all others who have been under suspicion
should be vigorously and impartaly inveSt-
gated. No pull should be allowed TO proven,
the prosecution Of any man who has had part IN
the reign Of corruption which dominated this
town.