The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-11-17
BISHOP POTTER
SCORES POLICE
In Powerful Letter to
Mayor Van WICK.
VICE ENCOURAGED.
Bishop Protests Vigorously Against
Conditions in New York City.
COOPERATION is ASSURED.
The Mayor Kellied at Once to the Let
ter. Which He Placed i'll the Hands
OF District Attorney, and Prom
ised 10 Exert Every Power
Law Gives Him to Right
the Wrong
COOPERATION is ASSURED,
fHy Associated Press.)

NEW YORK, Nov. ls.-Bisnop Henry
c. Potter, bishop OF the Episcopal Diocese
of New York. to-day sent letter To
Mayor Van Wyck in reference to vice IN
this city. promised some weeks ago. "hen
the Bishop announced that oae OF MS rec
tors had been grossly insultsd by the COM
mandins officials Of a certain police sta
ton.
AT the present writing there ara three
movements directed against vice, as it is
displayed on the great east side. There
arc quietly conducted Investigations oy
District Attorney Gardiner, in connection
with Anthony Comstocks Society for the
suppression OF Vice. Tammany's appoint
ment Of a committee to investigate present
conditions, and Bishop Potter's crusade
Bishop Potter, in his letter to Mayor
Van Wyck, first calls attention TO the
work that is being done at the pTq-Gathe-
tral No $50 Stanton Street, II endeaVoF-
ing to improve the condition OF the poor OF
the east side tenement district, In which
ii Is located. and says it has been recog-
,rized as an important factor in promoting
the virtue and good order OF the commune
~ in which K ministers.
CONTEMPT AND pERISIoS-
He continues:
IN view OF tiSsse facts il would seem
that It has q valid claim upon tho sy-Enpa-
thy, cooperation. and at least courteous
consideration OF those who officially rep
res Mt our city government and the guar
dianship of tlecency and good morals /
urge. here no other claim for 1t perSohai
cGz ment. as far as he is or am concerned.
-. 1-.,o 100.
the thir, that Is of consequence, sir, IS
that when 4 minister of religion ami a
resident in u particular netghporhood,
whose calling and character, experience
and truthfulness are all alike widely ana
abundantly recognized, goes to the had
quarters of the police in his district TO ap-
peal to them for thu protection OF the
young, the innocent and the defefseLess,
against the leperouS tharpies, VINO are
hired as runners and touters Tor the lowest
and most Infamous dens OF vice. he IS
met not only with conts mpt and dertsion,
but with coarse contumely and ob!iluE
VICE INEVITABLE.
The Bishop goes on to say:
II am not, beg to say, unnindIu' OF
tho fact that the existence of vice in a
great city is, practically, an inevitable
| condition OF the life Of such a communis
| ". I am not demanding that vice shah
90 Stamped out by the police or any
civil authority. This is a task which
would demand for its achievement a
| race OF angels and not OF men. But ap-
| preach You. sir. ID protest with al my
power against condition OF things in
which vice IS not only tolerated, bu
| shielded and encouraged by ttlos. whose
! sworn duty it is to rcpr-ass and Giscouras,
! it. and, in the name OF unsulied youth ana.
=
! charged M 10 do. against the ha5itua
| insult. the persistent menace, the dei!in.
contacts which day by day debase tn
| police with the lowest form OF WIG.
And in the names Of these little ones,
| these weak and defenseless ones. Christian
| and Hebrew alike, OF many races and
tongues. but OF homes in which God i
| feared and His Law reverencsd and decent
| " honored and eXempifed, I call upo,
| you. sir. to save these people. who are il
| very real way committed 10 your charge
| from a hell defi!ins. deadly damninG. |
which the criminal supneness OF the con
| stituted authorities, set for the defense
! decency and good order, threatens TO doom
! them
Bishop Potter, in conclusion, says he ha
| no methods TO suggest for the bctterins
! Of the conditions; these are il the hands .
! the Mayor.
! ASSURED OF COOPERATION
| Mayor Van Wyck az once replied to tn
| Bishop by letter, in which he said he ha.
| passed the Bishops communication to tht
| District Attorney. and then said:
T wish here to assure you that l vii
exert every power which the law has give
| to right the wrongs and 10 do away wit!
| the conditions of wn.... you complain, aac
| to secure hearty and efficient cooperate
| by the police department with all VINO ar
working to. do away with public violation
| OF law and decency.
II stand ready az all times to assist ans
| cooperate with you in this matter.
| Mayor Van Wyck's letter to the DLstrte
| Attorney requests him to cooperate wiz
! Bishop Potter and the police department
| in the movement In q letter TO the Boart
| OF Police Commissioners. the Mayor CT
| closes a copy of the Bishops letter. an
| directs the commissioners 70 at once cor
| duct searching investigation into n
| conduct OF the two police officials. WHOM
! the Bishop says insuited the clergyman
l