New-York tribune., 1905-01-07
AN OUTRAGE, SAYS GAYNOR
Robinson Case Brings SeUere Ar
raignment of Police.

When old Thomas Robinson and his wife, Han
nah. released from jan on Thursday by Mag
istrate Moss, at Jefferson Market court. for lack
of evidence against them, returned TO their little
home on the top floor Ct No. 30 West Nine
tsenth-st- they found II IN state OF chaos
compared 10 which junk shop struck by
cyclone would be almost orderly. They had 10
wade in merchandise that had been emptied in
heaps from pasteboard and other boxes The
nile reached almost 70 the kitchen ceiling. and 1t
vas with difficulty that they were able TO fnd
room for chairs 10 sit on
Mrs McVickar the janitor OF the house told
4 Tribune reporter yesterday that since the
couple were arrested by the police OF the West
TTenrieth-st. station last Saturday night some
two hundred persons, most Of them women, had
visited the Robinsons' rooms. Might and day
they kept II up" said Mrs. NcVickar. They
all had permits. SO the police on guard had 10
let them il. They kept all the tenants in the
house awake, and when they got into the rooms
they simply emptied every box and package
boxing for things Of theirs. they supposed had
been stolen. II was shame. They are hne
old couple. who have lived here three years.
and have always been respectable Even if they
had been convicted, never would have believed
them guilty
Some OF Mrs. Robinson's women friends, who
had 3ust heard OF the troubles Of the couple.
were visiting them when the reporter entered
the apartment yesterday. They loudly de-
nounced the arrest and detention Of the Rob
irsons as 6 high-handed outrage on the part
OF the police. Mrs Robinson looked worried
from her recent experience. Her husband VINO
is not In good health. had gone 10 bed. She said:
We'll I don't know what We shall do yet.
You may be sure something VIII be done but
We don't want any more nOtoriety. When the
hall 10 S0r0erhilIg We have
been badly treated as you can see, but don't
care 10 say anything more about il now I'm
glad 10 get home again"
Captain DAILY at the West Twentieth-st- police
station. said he had personally requested Mag
istrste Moss 10 discharge the prisoners, as they
ths police had been unable 70 make out case
against them. When asked who signed the war
rant for the arrest Of the old couple. Captain
DAILY said the case was one Of supposed ourg-
lsry, which Is felony, and that no warrant was
required He said the police were Justlneo II plac
Ing The couple under arrest on the complaint OF
their neigh bors, the Coyles, and especially When
such a large amount Of goods was found N lhelr
rooms. which they declined 10 account for- be
sides, there was great danger from hre, salo ne
with those things lying around loose undeT-
stand thar the old man was a Mason IN good
- standing and that he had lived at No - sixth
ave for fOTty-seven years, ana Yet, aIttr lne
case had been given the widest pubnclty ~ me W
papers. no one came forward 10 oner bdll Ao4
them"
Captain DAILY said he had nine hundred separ-
ate packages OF goods packed IN three boxes
which he had taken from the Robinson apart
meuts and there was still as much more Up
there. Everything was allowed 10 remain N
Eis0rder" he added even their bankbook,
showing deposits Of $4,000. was found tied with
string IN z LOT Of stuff the floor
Among those who denOunce the acton OF ine
police IN his case as al outrage is Justice Will
ism J. Ciaynor. Of Brooklyn When told OF II
yesterday be said. so long as those VINO rule
the police deem themselves not bound by the
law which limits their powers an0 prescriDes
their conduct so long as they are lawless, the
rank and lie win surely be iaWless. Arbitrari-
ness and disregard OF the law, and OF the safe
guards OF citizens rights. by those at the TOP
Hust Inevitably extend all the way down You
have not AnglO-SaxOn government IN new I orK
City: those ia control Of the police DO as they
ike, and law and order can never be enforced N
hat way. You ask me whether evidence OF
crime should not be found before an arrest.
That IS thought 70 be so, even in Russia