New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-05-10
Sweeney, Thompson, Murtha
and HuSSey Don Convict Garb
in neutrality-suspicious.
Fight for Delay.
GET MAXIMUM SENTENCE
Whitman on Trail of Another
High Police Official Said to
Have Taken 100000
Vice Tribute a Year
in Tenderloin.

Dennis Sweeney, John J. Murtha,
lanes r. Hussey and James F. Thomp-
son. the four former inspectors con
yicted of conspiracy last Tuesday. We're
sentenced yesterday to one years i'm
prisonment in the penitentiary on
Rlackwelrs Island and a fine of 5000
each.
Murtha obtained a respite of two
hours 10 visit his family in Brooklyn.
and when, under guard. he returned
from his home about > o'clock. the four
prisoners. handcuffed in pairs. were
marched by Sheriff Hamburger to Police
Headquarters Their records. meas
uremcnts. photographs and fngerprin;s
were taken for the Rogues Gallery
and then they were escorted TO the
penitentiary
The men were D a rather surly MOOD
until tbei~ arrival ON Blackwell's ISL
and. but there. away from the prying
eyes Of curious ones. they made an At
tempt 20 be cheerful. on their trip 10
the island. and in their reception there.
they were treated exactly as all other
convicted prisoners are treated.
All four finally decided to dispense
with any attempt 10 obtain certificates
Of reasonable doubt as to their convic-
ton. and elected to begin serving their
terms Immediately. Appeals in their
cases. if taken. and there is some doubt
as To whether all of them will attempt
that. will give them a chance for rein
statement on the police force. if on ap-
peal they should get a new trial, and if
such trial should result in acquittaL II
was evident from their attitude yester-
day. however. that no one of the for
mer inspectors was optimistic enough
10 think there was a possibility Of ul;;-
mate acquittal.
District Attorney Whitman would
add nothing to his previous statements
concerning the probability of a graft
trial for any OF the four. II was said
that il would be unprecedented to take
man from prison 10 try him on an
other charge for anything short Of muir
der but precedents were smashed
utterly Yesterday when four former
inspectors went to Blackwell's Island as
prisoners under sentence. and it is still
probable that Sweeney. at least, will
be called on to face a graft charge be
fore ne finishes his present term.
other graft developments point
toward an carly indictment on graft
charge. Of another police inspector
whose total graft revenue when he
commanded the Tcnderloin district was
estimated in the neighborhood Of
100000 year. If the evidence now
in the District Attorneys hands con-
cerning this inspectors activities is
properly corroborated Mr. Whitman
will ask for his indictment. and will
move for his trial TO follow that Of
Sergeant peter !. Duffy. Sweeney's
henchman who will face a graft charge
the first week in June.
The argument on the application for
certificate Of reasonable doubt in the
conviction OF PatrOlman Thomas i.
Robinson. scheduled for yesterday be-
fore Justice Pendleton. was postponed
until next Wednesday 10 permit Robert
u. Elder. who is TO argue the case, to
familiarize himself with its details.
The four inspectors were brought
across the Bridge Of Sighs from the
Tombs TO Justice Seabury's court at
II o'clock yesterday morning, and after
Continued on third page. ffth column.