Year: 1876

The whole country is interested in tn,


condition of New York city, as repects Law


and order. Almost every man that does any


travelling, has occasion to pass through thai


city; tens Of thousands of country merchant.


visit it monthly or quarterly or annually, on


business and hundreds Of thousands of peo-


pie Of all conditions are drawn thither on


one errand or another. All such have a


direct interest in the efficiency of the police,


and other means for the protection Of life


and property in the city, and every citizen


must feel that in measure the good name
of the country is involved with that of its


commercial metropolis.


The New York Assembly of 1875 appoint


ed select committee to investigate the


causes Of the increase of crime in the city OF


New York. 1t was Democratic committee,


consisting Of three Democrats and two Re-


publicans. In pursuance of their duty, this


committee have inquired into the workings


of the Police force, of the Criminal and Spe-


cial Sessions courts, of the Coroners' office,
of the District Attorneys office, of the


Board of Excise, into the status of the So


cial evil, and into the condition of prisons,
reformatories, and of Ludlow Street Jail,


the place of confinement for civil offences
and their report, an extended and in
teresting document, has been presented to
the Legislature. The report is frank and
direct enough to make strong impression,
and a basis for needed legislation. The
committee = arraignment of the Police force
is sharp and supported by ample evidence.
1t does not hesitate to say panel-thieying,
gambling, lottery and policy swindling and
illicit liquor selling are allowed by the
direct connivance Of the police, and that
prostitution is greatly aided by the
force. Much evidence is adduced to show
the corruption Of many members of the Pc
lice force, both officers and men, and the
District Attorneys office is censured sharply
for neglect of duty and the employment of
incompetent assistants. The recommenda-
tions of the committee are that the Police
force be- purified by giving the Police Board
that it be enlarged by 500 men that the
detective force be reorganized and con-
solidated, and the whole department be
made independent of influence also that
the Police courts be redistricted, and the
Coroners paid by salaries instead Of by fees.
The opinion is expressed that the present
Police Board is an honest one, and it is
hoped that reform has already begun.


The committee report that the Excise law
is an utter failure as regards prevention Of
the sale Of liquors by unlicensed parties.
The most radical change recommended is,
that houses of prostitution be regulated by |
a license law, as in Europe, and that such |
be absolutely restricted to certain quarters |
Of the city. The committee recognizes that |
there is feeling in society against licens-
ing crime, but quote from Lecky to the ef
feet that the ignoring of this vice is perhaps |
the very worst method that can be taken, |
since it permits women of the very worst |
character to domicle themselves on respect
able streets and among the families of re-
'pectable people.


The report condemns the inefficient and |
corrupt management of the prisons and re-
iormatories, alludes to the exceeding un-
lealthiness OF the Toombs, and shows how |
officials make money out OF the prisoners.
Ludlow Street Jail, they say, is mere money |
making machine for the Sheriff, and they |
recommend that it be removed from his con-
.rol, and be maintained by the county
the report is an interesting |
document, and the burden of it is that what |
S most needed in New York, as in some |
mailer cities, is a reform of administration. |
honest men in the public service and higher
moral sense in the community.