New-York tribune., 1895-12-12
PHILADELPHIA SUFFERS, 1OO.
JUST AS BAD POLICEMEN AS NEWBORN
EVER HAD.
THE SENATE COMMITTEE TURNS ITS ATTENiioN
TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND COR
RtI'TIoN AT ONCE BEGINS 70
COME TO LIGHT.

COME ~ Lbil
Philadelphia Dec 1.-THE Senate commute
appointed TO investigate the municipal alaii'
OF this city resumed its sessions this alterno'''
and a line of inquiry begun which promises
10 be more prolific of developments OF abuses
than heretofore. To-day for the first time '"e
probe was inserted into the workings Of the
Police Department. ard there would seem u "e
much rottenness in that part OF the city govern
ment
When the session of the committee began the
investigation into the system of lightihs INC
city by contracts with private electric light com
panes was resumed. Nothing particularly new
was developed. 1t was shown that seVera'
companies which have contracts for lishtihs
particular parts OF the city were not doing the
work themselves and that other companies
which the city mas no contracts with are IGh'-
ing the streets It was not shown how this
came about. but It is probable that the COM
panes which have the contracts have supiet
them to those doing The lighting further
testimony was submitted showing that II
ordinary business methods We're enforced inc
city could obtain much cheaper rates for lgh'-
ing the streets
At the close If the testimony bearing on the
lighting Of the streets. Silas w. Pettlt cou'iSe'
for the Citizens Municipal Association sdio
that he proposed to lead the inquiry into an IN
vestigaton of the Police Department. MT
Petit asserted that the police conniNe a' 'ne
maintenance of Illicit saloons policy shops
dives" and such places. He further asserted
that the keepers Of these places and the ponce
frighten respectable citizens who wish the
adjustment of them and he asked that the
committee protect with Its full power against
persecution by the police all witnesses VINO
might testify before it in regard to these mat
ters Mr.. Petit also charged that the police,
in direct defiance of the law under which the
city is governed, are obnoxiously active III
politics. and he said that after he had presented
his views the committee would undoubtedly
recommend in is report 10 the Legislature some
legislation bearing directly on this subject:
D. c. Gibboney. secretary Of the Law and Or
der Society. va, called He testified that the
particular object O.. the society was the suppress
sion Of Illicit saloons and ds0rderly licensed
places The witness spoke in the most favorable
terms Of the support and aid extended to the
society's work by Mr.. Butler. the Director OF
Public Safety. ana superintendent Linden.
Their efforts had beer honestly seconded by some
of the police lieutenants and patromen, but IN 4
majority of the police districts there are active
defenders Of Speak sizes aud dives" he
,1ld os how detectives Of the society have fire.
ouently seen policemen I'm full uniform drinking
In "speak .eaeies' and saloons, and how, when
they cot a dive" proprietor I'm court T.. keeping
disorderly house. re was frequently cleared
through the testimony Of policemen.
Mr.. Gibboney also scored the Police Board De-
fore which policemen are tried TOY OFFENCES uhoe-
coming an officer. The Board consists oi me Po,
lice captains and Mr. Gibboney said that he had
determined never to make charge against an
officer again. in almost every case the a.
cused man had gone scot free or escaped WIN
light fine Mr.. Gibboney had not hnisheo ms, nS tes-
tlmony when the committee adjourned until TO-
morrow