The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-07-15
ROTTEN ENGLAND
Municipal Government There
Worse Than in America.
Only the English Newspa-
pers Don't Find It Out.
FEARFUL DISCLOSURE
OF the AbOminable Police Sys-
tenn of England,
As Shown in the Administra-
ton Of Birmingham.

London, July 15.-Queen's Counsel
Dugdale, who was designated by the
government to investigate the scandals
in the police force at Birmingham, yes
terday submitted his report to the
Home office. 1t will not be made pub
lie until it has received the Endorsement
of the Home secretary, when it will be
printed and laid upon the table or the
house of commons; but from the evil
dence adduced, it is taken for granted
that the report will be OF the most
Scathing nature, and Will reveal con-
dition of affairs unprecedented in the
police history of any city in England.
Although extraordinary efforts were
made to suppress evidence and block
the progress of the investigation, Suff-
cient substantial testimony was forth
coming to show that some of the high
est officers of the Birmingham police
were the holders of houses of ill re-
pute.
That they shared with their attend
ants the ill-gotten profits.
That patrOlmen and cOnStableS made
it a systematic business to beguile ru-
raj visitors, as well as young men of
sporting proclivities, to these establish
ments, being rewarded by their super
iors for such services with cash con
siderations and promotions on the
force.
That police inspectors as well as
subordinate officers known to be sys-
tematically guilty of immoral conducL
with neighbors' wives and others were
retained on the force by their super
iors.
That a patrolman was replaced on
the force after having served nine
months for manSlaughter.
That another patro1man, having serv-
ed IL months for perjury, committed
while prosecuting an innocent defend
ant, was given his old beat on his re-
lease.
That patrolmen found guilty by the
trial board of systematic theft from
stores While on duty were simply trans
ferred to another division.
That a constable against whom five
charges of drunkenness had been sus-
tanned was promoted to an Inspector
ship.
That a chief detective inspector was
the owner OF several saloons of Ques-
tionable repute.
That a constable who had been fined
or reprimanded for 80 offenses includ-
ing drunkenness and indecent conduct
was given three good conduct stripes
for services rendered one of the chief
superintendent
And that general immortality Dervad-
ed the entire force
In one case harsh measures were used
TO silence woman who had been GRIM
inally assaulted by a sergeant while
engaged in serving a warrant
In another case, even the servant of
the chief constable had fallen a victim
to an officer who had been sent to the
CHEERS house in search of some pa
pers.
The most astounding revelation how
ever, was that the women occupants of
the houses of ill repute owned by the
various inspectors and superintendent
We're periodically examined by the chief
ponce surgeon or his assistants in the
interest of the public health
Th1s testimony was considered so ex-
traordinary by Col. DugdaIe that he
required strong corroborative testimo-
ny in the form of admissions from some
or those concerned and which was
forthcoming.
It has just developed that former sup
er1ntendent of Police Bannister, who
was the most prominently implicated
IN the scandal, and who resigned and
disappeared when the government in
vest1gation was ordered is in the United
States. A letter has been received from
MN dated New York, giving directions
concerning the disposition of the rents
from some of the houses that figured
IN the inquiry and intimating that he
proposed to stop in America for some
time for the benefit of his health,