New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-09-23
PREPARING RIOT CHARGES
INSPECTOR CROSS TO BE HELD RE
SPONSIBLE FOR THE CLUBBING
AT RABBITS FUNERAL.

Mayor Low early last evening made puoilc re-
plies he had received to his letters 10 FoiIoe
Commissioner Partridge, District Attorney 'e
rome and the Board Of City Magistrates ia
which he said that charges were being prepared
against Inspector Cross on the ground thal ne
was responsible for the riots at the funerdi %
Rabbi Joseph and for the brutal cuoblns Oh
rnourners who followed the hearse- The Mayor
asked for a report Of all cases since Mayor
Strong's administration where policemen hao
been accused of clubbing persons.
Police Commissioner Partridge, in reply ing
said that the suggested charges against the OF
ficer were being prepared. was also the re-
uort showing the record Of each officer tried for
irproper clubbing which would be somewhat
delayed, as the records were not arranged just
as the report required. Mr.. Partridge then
quoted the following rules bearing on the SUB
ject Of clubbing:
Rule No. 2S(n)-Captains shall make charges
against any patrolman under their comma no
who shall his club. except IN SELF
defence
Rule No 30(c)-In case of riot. disorder and
other emergencies the Police Commissioner may,
his discretion order the force TO use the locust
tnightD baton temporarily
Rule No. 47(a)-Members Of the force =.
shall not wilfully maltreat or use unnecessary
violence to any person, prisoner or otheTWlse,
and must not use their baton except IN urgent
cases.
After acknowledging the Mayors letter Dis
trict Attorney Jerome said that the polloemeh
and the Hoe employees deemed criminally liable
had been held for trial in October before the
Court of Special Sessions
Joseph NJ. Deuel., president Of the Board q
City Magistrates in speaking for the board sa '1'
IN part
assume that so important a document is
founded upon evidence taken and preserved
and that such record has been transmitted 70
Tl,o
half Of the magistrates. that some one OF Us
have access thereto in order 10 frame proper
reply 10 your letter You VIII countess eon
that the committee does not md that IN co--
ditions in the magistrates courts speclIea acIu
ally prevail: the report says that Complaints %
that character have been made. hut the a. tIdSe
reader will assume that the committee. after an
Investigation unanimous IN nndliS tI4aA
sT,cb evils are prevalent in our courts It IS an
old custom for unsuccessful hugants 10 Iilu
fault with the court and / am inclined 10 De
lieve that many such sought the ear OF lhe
committee. The consequence is that a stlgIlia
IS placed upon the administration OF Justice ,5 ~
this CITY in way TO reach the entire world
The magistrates, unheard, practically are coz
6ernned Some magistrates TO all lntenls
and nurnoses means every one. I know voice
the sentiment of each member Of the board IN
saying that. for our own reputation, ana Ior
The good name of the city. We cannot pass the
matter with a mere acknowledgment OF your
letter We therefore ask an opportunity 10 n
spect the record.
He continued that. as the circumstances in no
two cases in the police courts were alike, uni
form decisions could not be rendered, but that
whether the parties interested be Jews OF
Gentiles police officers or civilians. the magls-
trate's conscience and oath Of office can permit
Of but one rule in Whatsoever of the seven
courts he may be sitting. There are twelve OF
us and we differ widely. at times, as TO What
measure of punishment is best for the culpTlt
end for the people but We differ conscientlously
and the dissiraiiarfty is no greater than ordl-
,arilv would prevail between any other twelve
men" He promised 10 lay the case before the
board at its next meeting