The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-04-05
WEDNESDAY. APRIL .. 1899.
CAN OUR INSTITUTIONS CARRY
THE BOSS?

There is nothing original in the remark
that the peril to republican institutions
lies in the principle Of machine politics
and boss rule. The whole civilized
world has for years come to the conclu-
sion that this IS the danger that menaces
H. Of the United States. and Il very'large
par o: the most observant men Of the
world expect to see our institutions
nerish under the strain 70 which this
vicious business subjects them. That they
have so long retained so much OF their
freshness and strength is a wonderful tes-
tlmonlal 70 their inherent vitality.
Blu: though We have passed through
the fire this long. practically unscathed'
there is matter always al hand that forces
all patriotic men 10 a feeling OF
uneasiness. New York city furnishes. of
course. the most glazing instance Of what
boss rule and machine politics threaten
US with. and it is not possible TO look at
what trauspires there without serious APP
prebension.
The latest object lesson she has fur
nlshed us IS what is now going on there
i'm her police force. \ bill is before the
New York Legislature which aims at put
ting the police force upon something like
an independent ~foqling-and what hap
pens Immediately? The men OF the force
ar. assessed from their pay enough 10
make up the sum OF $4,000 to be used
in defeating the bill. The evidence that
this is actually taking place Is so over
whelming that there is practically no
room for doubt about II.
This has moved some OF the New York
papers to Investigation and publication
OF some Of the actual conditions I'm the
city. IL will be recalled that when the
present Recorder OF New York City. Hon.
John ". Cor. removed the lid that COW
cred some Of New Works rottcnness,
some five or six years back. before the
Lexow Investigating Committee, vice re-
tired into hiding. and for some time there
were many evidences that moral condi-
tlons had very much improved i'm the city.
But there has been "a commplete relapse.
and all the city newspapers agree that
never IN New York's history were vice
and immortality so famboyant and de-
FAINT as they are at this day. Tn dens
Of vice are run upon the most populous
~thoroughfares in open disregard OF the
police. and whoever else is disposed to de-
IS the laws Of God and man follows his
or her bent as it suits the individual.
II is interesting 20 note what happened
in the case Of police officers convicted in
the Lexow investigation Of being part
ners with the most noted criminals.
William s. Devery. dismissed from the
force at that time. has been reinstated.
promoted inspector. deputy chief and
chief.
William w. Mclaughlin, indicted. con-
yicted. sentenced 10 two years in States
prison. has been reinstated and made in
spector OF a district
Thomas +. McAvoy. proved TO have
been an accomplice. has been retired on
a pension.
Captain Max Schmittenberger con-
fsssed 90 blackmsil. was indicted. turned
states evidence and implicated Inspec- ,
tors Williams and McAvoy. As a result,
Indictment was quashed. Now ne IS IN
command OF the Kingsbridge station.
We might go on with much more Of this.
but these instances suffice for examples.
a our Institutions endure II we find no
way OF restraining the foul influence Of
tho boss?
This question concerns the people of
Virginia as intimately as Il concerns any
o,hsr people. We are In danger. and in
great danger.