New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-04-01
Is IT TIE REEOLTTIONf

| 1t is long time since there has been such
sensation in police circles that which resulted
yesterday from the action Of the second platoon
of the Thirty-seventh-st. station Sunday
night. Statements conflict somewhat, but the
fact appears to be that there was an under
standing among nearly all the patrolnen who
went on duty at o'clock that the farce OF pre-
ceding Sundays should not be repeated. but
that all saloonkeepers found violating the ex-
else law should be arrested. 1t is certain that
eighteen arrests were made, and the probable
ity is that there would have been more If, dis
covery of what was occurring, warnings had not
been conveyed through police agencies TO some
fortunate liquor dealers in favor at precinct
headquarters. In short, policemen who were
either ashamed OF the part they had been play
ing or believed that their false reports of mo
violations were about to be used against them
by the District Attorney resolved TO do the thing
which their instructions called for and leave
their captain to bear the burden of their obedi-
ence to orders which were not meant to be
obeyed. Whether they were actuated by prin-
ciple policy, their course was wisely taken,
both for themselves and for the community.
They had put their heads into a moose every
time they had reported that the law was not
broken, for in so doing they had relieved the
captain Of responsibility. He could point TO his
orders and to the record, not with a clear con-
science. but with comfortable sense Of per-
sonal security. whereas in adopting q posi-
ton all they needed for their safety
to be sustained by the department.
We assume that they will be sustained, CRATE
fully and firmly. Commissioner Partridge has
been confronted with many obstacles and per-
plexities. which, perhaps. have not been sutfi
GENTLY considered by citizens dissatisfied with
adj icfr ho ia IN
preciate the help which he has suddenly re-
ceived. whether or not 1t came from an unex-
pected quarter. From protected circles yester-
day forebodings of extreme danger TO 1.-THE
system" were reported. 1t is to be feared that
they We're premature. but yet such example
as that set on Sunday night may prove con-
tagious. Indeed. we should say that it might
be made contagious by skilful use of the adj
vantages it puts in the hands of the Commits
sioner. We have always believed that large
proportion of the force would be glad TO escape
from the thraldom and the ignominy OF cor
rupt conspiracy by which they personally do
not profit. There must be policemen in every
precinct who long to follow the precedent which
their fellows in the Twentieth have established,
and who will look eagerly for encoura cement to
assert their own manhood.
1t would be a mistake TO say that the practi-
small inasmuch as most OF the men arTaigned
yesterday were discharged. 1t is to he regret
ted that in many cases the legal evidence
defective considered by the magis-
trates: but the technical guilt or innocence OF II
few liquor dealers is a comparatively unimpor-
tant matter. 1t is perfectly obvious that "the
system" could not long stand against n general
assault of the kind made on Sunday night in a
single precinct. whatever happened in court
subsequently, Even one break in the line Of de-
fences is q serious menace TO those inside. We
do not assert that The excise law can be rigidly,
continuously and universally enforced, nor are
we now contendIng that the net gain would be
larger IL II could he. But unquestlonabiy ii
concerns the very life Of the community that
the privilege of dsobeying the law shall not he
systematically sold and securely enjoyed by
'nose who have paid the price. II liquor deal
ers should find that they were not getting what
tneJ bought they would stop buying. and that