The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-15

vention and cure. Police headquarters in
New York City at 800 Mulberry Street, is
the centre Of this giant organization.
Few people know the history of the
New York police force How it was born
4 nearly three hundred years ago; how il
! was reared through centuries OF progress
! both slow and labOrious. and how. finally,
! with a roll Of 2.s99 men, it stands today
| as a proud memorial to American skill,
! progress, and patriotism.
In 1852. when few Dutch colonists oc-
| cupied the present site of New York City,
| WOuter Won Twiller. Director General of
| Duteh-America, comprising several small
| settlements along the Atlantic Coast,
| with headquarters at New York laid the
| foundation of New YOrk's police force.
| By his direction. a gibbet was established
! for the punishment of offenders, and many
| unfortunstes swung from that grewsOme
tree. So far as recorded, this is the first
trace OF a penal or police system in the
nations metropolis. 1t was not long, how
ever, before other measures were adopted
toward the formation of a police force.
When in 1888, William Keith came to
America and assumed the post of director
general definite shape was given TO a
penal system. Several years later, in 1912,
the erection OF a municipal building
known as "Stadt Hugs" and located at
the corner Of Pearl and Coenties Streets,
was begun. Here, upon its completion
the following year were located police
headquarters, jail. and court house COM
bined. and here. also. were found accom-
mOdations for the officials of the city
government. A bell. placed in the tower
Of the "Stadt Hugs. and rung nightly at
9 o'clock, served as a warning to the in
habitants to retire for the night. Other
public occasions, such as the reading of
a proclamation or a call for church,
brought forth peals from this bell. and in
later years executions were also marked
by its solemn tones.
Peter Stuyvesant came to America in
May, 1647. He succeeded Keith as Cover
nor Of New York Stuyvesant was at
once energetic, enterprising. and original.
He found defects in the local city gov
ernment and set about remedying the
evils. Not more than a month elapsed after
his arrival before a manifesto was issued
form the Governors Office. reciting that
Whereas We have observed and remarked
the insolence Of some of our inhabi ants,
VINO are in the habit OF getting drunk, of
quarreling, fighting and shifting each other
on the Lords holy day of rest, in de-
hance Of the magistrates, to the contempt
and disregard Of our person and authority,
to the great annoyance Of the neighbor-
hood, and finally 20 the injury and dis
honOring Of Gods holy laws and COM
mandments, which eHioin upon us TO
honor and sanctify him on this, His holy
day Of rest, and which prescribe all per
sonal injury and murder. with the means
and temptations that lead thereto:
Therefore by the advice Of his ex-
cellenCy. the Director General and our or
dained council, here present. to the end
that we may, so far as possible, take all
due care and prevent the curse Of Gcd
instead Of his blessing from falling upon
US and our good inhabitants, do. by these
presents. charge commands. and enjoin upon
all tapsters aud innkeepers, that on the
Sabbath of the Lord, commonly called
Sunday. before O'Clock in the afternoon, |
in case there is no preaching. or other |
wise before 4 O'Clock Ia the afternoon, |
they shall not be permitted to set rcr 1
draw nor bring out for any person or per-
sons, any wines, beers. nor any strong /
waters Of any kind whatsoever. on what /
ever preteNt except only persons travel /
ing and the daily boarders that may from
necessity be confined to their places Of /
abode, in the penalty Of being deprived .
Of their occupation, and over that. in the 1
penalty Of six carolus guilders for each per- /
son that during said time shall or NAV
have run up a score Of wine or beer in /
their house"
The COnstHbuIary Under British Rule
Such was the simple growth and deyel-
opmeat Of the New York police system /
under Butch administration. Il was in
the year 1864 that ODE Hendricl. The first
constable under English authority. took
the oath Of office Mayor Leisler was then
in authority in New York, the first Eng
fish official to occupy the chair of state
appointed by the British Crown on Oc,o-
Der i. 1893. Upon assuming control OF
affairs Leisler took steps to
improve and increase the system of local |
protection. lie secured the appointment of /
four good and honest householders." TO |
watch over the city from 9 D. m. until |
sunrise, the first step made for a continu
BUS police patrol. salary Of $50 was |
liked as compensation for these guardians. |
and additions TO the force were made from !
-ime 10 time within the next succeeding
en- years.
Step by step the police system in New
York City advanced. Early in the spring
d l712 severe test was encountered by
he municipal government yet iJ with
stood the storm. Numerous fires. some OF
alarming prOport ions. and all supposed to
De OF incendiary origin, swept the city.
treat alarm prevailed among the inhab-
tants. For time il seemed as though
!
Bugs were caught an last one white man.
hought 10 be the leader OF the incen-
liaries. and nineteen negroes We're exc
uted. This punishment had a salutary
fleet and crime ceased for a time
That celebrated document. the Mont
.omery Charter, was granted the city BY
he English Crown in 1880 Upon this
hartor the second OF a series. the mu-
Iicipal rights OF a vast system sim rest.
{ ordained that there should forever be
one mayor one recorder, seven alder
men, seven assistants. one sheriff. one /
orouer one common clerk. one chamber
ain. one high constable. siXtsc1 assessors, !
eyeral collectors. sixteen &C. tables. and
ne marshal" to compose the city gov
rnment Based upon authority granted /
n this document. many and varied !
hanges were proclaimed in the personnel, |
rganization. and regulations Of the police
ystem. Additions to the force were also
nade. Under British rule the municipal
oyernment OF the city was strengthened, 1
xiended, and generally respected
When in the spring OF 1888. England !
nally recognized the independence CT the {
-merican States. New York City entered I
pom its period OF prosperity Control of I
fuufriuz1 affairs gradually ae-,tn.aH D.. 1