New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-12
SHIT THE DOOR.

The trial Of Captain Chapman is 10 be re-
sumed this morning II ought 20 be resumed
behind closet doors. The Tribune al the ouse;
expressed the opinion thai The affair Of the See
ley dinner ought to b. investigated by the Police
Board in order that the public might know
whether or not an act Of gross official tyranny
had been committed. On the one hand. il was
alleged that programme Of abominabl, indie
cen,.y had been Interrupted by vlgllanl officer
in the slrci performance "f his duty: on the
Other hand. il was protested that private rights
had been VutIageously invaded. The lSsne was
clearly drawn and the community WAS obviously
Interested. as both parties 10 The controversy
claimed to h-. IN having The facis asc"r'aihed
and justice done. Bnt it was not necessary nor
deslrabla that the pr ,ceedings should be - con
Quoted as 10 afford al unlimited opportunity for
the dissemination of filth. The flow of this foul
stream ough, To he stopped. We suppose that
some ewspapers would find means Of obtaining
privately the substance Of the testimony. in case
the Police Board should exclude the public. and
would publish It. perhaps with embellishments
almost as offensive the actual rrctalS 10 which
they have had free access. Bit no inventions
or rpcollecions OF those who having Of right or
necessity been present. might choose for i~asols
OF their own to describe the proceedings could
possibly surpass in nastiness ile trne story OF
this trial And something would certainly 10
gained by official secrecy. II II were no'hlng
more than increased respect for The Polio" Board.
We observe that some Of those presumably
we'll meaning persons Of both sexes who have
a strong partiallty FOR the more or less public
revelation ,. this character was Needed Ia sIaril'
The community into a realization Of the depravliy
which exists here. and are predicting IA moral
uprising in consequence. We believe iha was
Mr. Stead's theory but there Is lack OF evil
dence TO show that London wa3 regenrraei by
his exposures. Al all events. II therA was any
actual or presumptive advantage in giving pub
Lefty to This proceeding. quite enough has been
ACCOMPLISHED in that direction. The repetition
Of details or descent 10 lower depth OF degrade
lion il mol essential Moreover. II has to be con
sdercd that not all which has been told Is neces-
sarily The truth. 1t is N least pOs>ibl" that
creatures who have nothing TO lose by exaggera-
lion suppose that ihey have something 10 gain
hv H. and therefore tina: the most revolving par'
Of their testimony is descriptive OF scenes which
did no, occur but there is no need OF multiply
ing hypothesis. The simple and sufficient fact
is that The community has had more than enough
OF his business Let the investigation 90 on by
all means but let il 90 on in private. The ac-
uuittal or conviction Of Captain Chapman Will
show whether or moi he did his duty. If there
after or n, any time an action before a different
tribunal shall be brought against anybody in
voiced IN his proceeding II Will follow the usual
course. Meanwhile there Is no good reason for
prolonying shameless spectacle. however great
the demand may he.