New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-11-08

the mob their orders were: Take no prisoners.
Inspector Carpenter. who led In the fighting.
gave the additional command: wherever you
zee head. hit IT," When the riot was over. the
citizens Of New-York united in praise OF the po-
lice, who had earned the designation OF the nm
est" Later the members Of the force never
failed TO distinguish themselves in fights against
disorderly crowds, but they often failed TO
make distinction between rowdies who deserved
to be dubbed and unoffending citizens who were
entitled to protection and consderate treatment.
The habit OF charging the crowds" with drawn
clubs remained fixed for years, and 1t was not
until the Commissioners amended the rules, SO
az to require policeman to keep his club In his
belt unless he was obliged to draw II In self-de-
fence that the practice was dropped. Even IN
holding police lines at fires or at great parades
1t was the custom Of policemen to use their clubs
In pushing back persons who got over the line,
and IT was common thing to see policeman
reach over and hit the heads Of people who were
being pushed toward the front by crowds In the
rear The sight Of waving clubs was an insepa-
rable feature Of every great parade In Broadway
and Fifth-ave. and smashed hats. II not broken
heads. were often the results Of too much eager
ness TO get in the front rank OF sightseers.
On only One occasion have New-York police
men been sent to control crowds outside the
city. and then they were dealing with crowd
mostly composed Of NEWCOMERS. 1t was at
the time OF the great international rifle match
Al Creedmoor, Long Island. nearly twenty years
ago. The contest attracted thousands OF peo-
pie from this city, and the first day there
was the utmost difficulty In moving the crowd
back from behind the rifemen when the shoot
ing at one range was completed and 1t was
necessary to go back TO shoot at longer range
IL the fixed targets. Long Island constabies
were 50 powerless in their efforts to make the
crowd move that they became objects OF de-
'ison. Mounted officers. who rode into the
crowd. were endorsed 1t was only by repeated
threats to stop the match that the people couio
oe ihouced to move back, after much decay ana
leave room for the rifemen.
Inc Police Commissioners Of this city were
INDUCED to send squad Of policemen to creed
moor on the second day Of the match Cap
'a'n John II. McCullagh had command OF the
'auad' ana the men selected to work under MS
v'"ers were such as could be expected to Keep
''e'r tempers and act with politeness az wei
:. Win nrmness. Although question OF )uris-
~s''on might arise In case OF clubbing. there
was no doubt as to the right of the New-YorK
S'''cemen to make arrests at Creedmoor. IL
Ascessary. because their powers as peace ON
YES extended to every par; Of the State. When
,As "nooting at one range was finished and II
"ss time to make change. Captain McCul-
sn deployed his line Of policemen and said to
s.e crowd. Move back. The familiar sight OF
~as uniforms, brass buttons and waving clubs
- sunicient to cause instant obedience. With
y.s the least hesitation the thousands Of people
~ had witnessed the shooting retreated In the
"a Possible order. and In few minutes the