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

vention and cure Police headquarters in
| the centre of this giant organization.
Few people know the history of the
New York police force. How it was born
| nearly three hundred years ago: how it
was reared through centuries OF progress,
| both slow and laborious, and how, finally,
with a roll of 1889 men, it stands today
as a proud memorial to American skill,
| progress, and patriotism.
In 1852, when a few Dutch colonists oc-
cupied the present site of New York City
Wouter Won Twiller. Director General of
Dutch 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
unfortunates 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 police force.
When, in 1888 William Keith came 10
America and assumed the post of director
general definite shape was given to a
penal system. Several years later, in 1912,
the erection If municipal building
known as "Stad: IIuys," and located at
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
.sT,.N Rn1I 4EHHr-
brought forth peaIs 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
eminent and set about remed. ling the
evils. Not more than a month elapsed after
his arrival before a manifesto was issued
form the Governors ofiiC recitirg that,
Whereas we have observed and remarked
the insolence of some of our inhabitants,
who are in the habit of getting drunk, of
quarreling, fighting. and shifting each other
on the Lords holy day of rest, in de-
fiance Of the magistrates, to the contempt
and disregard of our person and authority,
to the great annoyance of the neighbor-
hood and finally to the injury and dis
VI tOu HOiS laws anu
mandments which enjoin 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
IL
us and our good inhabitants. do. by these
presents. charge, commands, and enjoia upon
all tapsters and innkcepers. that OF the
Sabbath of the Lord commonly called
Sunday, before o'clock in the afternoon,
in case there is no preaching. or other
wise before o'clock In the afternoon,
they shall not be permitted to set rcr
draw nor bring out for any person or per-
sons, any wines, beers, nor any strong
waters of any kind whatsoever, on what
ever preteXt, 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
penalty of six carolus guilders for each per-
son that during said time shall or may
have run up a score OF wine or beer in
their house"
The Constnbulary Under British Rule
Such was the simple growth and devel-
opment of the New York police system
under Butch administration 1t was in
the year 1864 that ODE Hendrick the first
constable under English authority, took
the oath of office. Mayor Leiser was then
in authority in New York. the first Eng
lish official to occupy the chair of state,
appointed by the British Grown on Octo-
Der II, 1893. Upon assuming control of
fafE fTafp flI.
improve and increase the system of local
protection. He secured the appointment of
four good and honest householdeTS" to
watch over the city from p. m until
sunrise, the first step made for a continu-
Gus police patrol salary of SEQ was
fixed as compensation for these guardians,
and additions TO the force were made from
time TO time within the next succeeding
ten years.
Step by step the police system in New
York City advanced. Early in the spring
Of l7l2 severe test was encountered by
the municipal government yet it with
stood the storm. Numerous fires, some of
alarming proportions. and all supposed to
be of incendiary origin, swept the city.
Great alarm prevailed among the inhab-
iiants. For time it seemed as though
the police were powerless. but the fire.
bugs were caught ar last. One white man.
thought TO be the leader of the incen-
diaries. and nineteen negroes were exc
cuted. This punishment had a salutary
effect and crime ceased for time
That celebrated document. the Mont
gomery Charter was granted the city by
the English Crown in 1880. Upon this
charter. the second of series, the mu-
nicipal rights OF a vast system still rest
1t ordained that there should forever be
''one mayor. one recorder, seven alder
men, seven assistants. one sheriff one
coroner, one common clerk, one chamber
lain, one high constable. sixteen assessors.
several collectors, sixteen c. tables and
one marshal" 10 compose the city gov
ernment Based upon authority granted
in this document many and varied
changes were proclaimed in the personnel
organization. and regulations of the police
system. Additions to the force were also
made. Under British rule the municipal
government OF the city was strengthened,
extended, and generally respected
When in the spring of 1888. England
finally recognized the Independence OF the
American States. New York City entered
upon its period of prosperity. Control of