New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-12-22
THE INVASION OF SHERRYS
CHARGES MAY BE MADE AGAINST CHAP
MAN
WHAT THE CAPTAIN SAYS IN DEFENCE OF IN
vEsTIGArINo THE sEELEY DINNER PARTY
w s. MooRE.s STATEMENT.

VEsITGATING THE sEELEY DINNER PARTY
w s. MooREs STATEMENT.
A serious charge may be made against Police
Captain Chapman. OF the West Thirteth-st. sta
ton. because he forced his way into Sherrys. at
Fffth-ave and Thirty-seventh-st.. about a. m.
on Sunday and disturbed the private dinner party
OF Herbert Il. Seeley on the suspicion that the men
at the dinner witnessing immoral dancing.
officials at Police Headquarters felt obliged TO take
notice OF the Captains action yesterday and Chief
Conlin was directed by the Commissioners to make
an investigation He ordered Chapman to appear
and make an explanation. and the Captain went 10
the Chiefs Office and made a statement
A number o. men we'll known In society were at
Mr. Seeieys dinner. given in honor OF his brother,
who Is soon TO be married and they were highly
Indignant that "a police captain had invaded the
dining-room without any proc. TO sustain his sus-
picions and without warrant. Other men in the
Tenderlon declared that Chapman had committed
a gross mistake. 1. he had done nothing worse
and what the Captain had TO say in excuse OF his
action caused criticism. He had not inter
fered with immoral Giving pictures the stage
In several places OF amusement In his precinct. and
he made no effort to stop the performances OF the
Barrson Sisters at a vaudeville hall in the pre-
cinct although their performances were generally
admitted 10 be immoral. His sudden zeal was re-
garded as the more remarkable therefore. when
ne forced his way with two detectives into such
hgh-class place Sherry's. with no proof that
there had been any violation OF the law there. and
without any warrant. acting the mere suspicion
that there might be immodest dancing among the
performers who had been engaged 10 give vaude-
vile show sor the entertainment OF the at the
dinner.
Il will stand by my action" said Captain Chap
yesterday. and ! not afraid OF any COM
plant that may be made. William S. Moore. Of
No POI West Fortieth-st.. came to me and said his
daughter had been asked TO dance at the perform
an md m frnr he
pear nude before the guests at the dinner after
her dance ] thought had reason for a suspicion
that there 10 be immoral performances at the
dinner. and went there TO make an investigation
Sherrys Is public place and has hotel license
! had a perfect right TO 60 there and make the
investigation. not obliged 10 use force in
getting into the dining room When told the per
sons there who l and the cause for my visit
they appeared 10 be entirely satisfied. have not
learned that any of them have made a complaint
at headquarters.
The Captain was asked II he made his way to the
private dinner because the Ranes law gave 10
o G Po Ws so ne agd he re H went there
because OF the Information had received. justify
performance. l went away when l had satisfied
myself that nothing OF the kind was TO be at
iempied and Of course there was no cause Tor an
William s Moore called the, West Thirtieth,st
Captaia Chapman says moved him TO go 10 sherry
and invosiigse the Performance taking place at ne
daughter learned what she was wanted 10 do at
Sherrvs" he continued at 1890 o'clock. and. upon
learning that Mr. Sherry out OF town. asked
20 see the superintendent Mr.. Flambeau I asked
him II he knew what was going to happen at the
dinner. and ne replied that 1t was none of our
business what would he done. the rooms had
been leased ! asked him Il anything against the
law occurred in them. what would he DO. and he
again rerlied that the authorities never visited
me place and that he had no fear. | told him
mat If arvthng occurred 10 blame no one but him
self and ne replied All right and left. then
visited the stationhouse. and put this question TO
captain Chapman:
"'Tf Won had information that an entertainment
Uas 70 take place in your precinct where woman
would dance nude. or partly so. what would you
do 49,, =, -,, . !. -
The captan replied that he would stop It, and
l. is said that Moore vii! repeat his story to
Chief Conlin to-day.