DAILY GRIST OF NEW YORK CITY POLICE CORRUPTION

Cortland Evening Standard, Wednesday, December 19, 18904.

ANOTHER SENSATION.

LEXOW COMMITTEE'S DAILY GRIST OF POLICE CORRUPTION.

Ex-Inspector Steers Accused by Sergeant Taylor or Receiving Money Extorted From Patrolmen—Further Evidence Against Three Police Captains —Evidence of Aldermanic Traffic In Votes. Other Interesting Testimony.

   NEW YORK, Dec. 19.—Police Sergeant John J. Taylor of the steamboat squad testified before the Lexow committee that ex-Inspector Henry V. Steers had systematically exacted moneys from policemen who were paid for extra work by steam ship and railroad companies.

   Other witnesses swore that Max F. Schmittberger, Anthony Allaire and George Gastlin had been guilty of similar offenses.

   A futile effort was made by Counsel Goff to elicit from John W. Reppenhagen additional facts of importance concerning the payment by Captain Creeden of $15,000 for his captaincy.

   The day's developments before the senate investigating committee entangle police headquarters in the net of official corruption. Despite this fact, however, public sentiment is far from as turbulent today as it was Friday, when Captain Creeden's confession set the city agog with excitement.

   The meeting of the inquisitorial senators has been fraught with great possibilities. It was expected that Mr. Goff's ordnance of exposure would be directed toward breastworks that have hitherto withstood all assaults and that the startling sensations of Friday would be rendered trivial beside these events. And though the testimony adduced did point the finger of wrong toward an ex-inspector of police, whose official reputation was hitherto regarded as immaculate, the popular appetite for sensational developments has not been appeased.

   Still, in official circles, the news of these exposures has brought amazement unbounded. Superintendent Byrnes, when told of Sergeant Taylor's testimony against ex-Inspector Steers, manifested great astonishment.

   "I am amazed, astounded," was his only comment, and no argument could induce him to pronounce an opinion. Inspectors Williams and Conlin evidenced similar feelings.

   Sergeant John Harley, who was formerly detailed to duty in Inspector Steers' office, said: "I have always and do now consider Inspector Steers a man of unblemished character. I cannot believe that he ever accepted any bribe money."

   And so many other officials of the police department expressed themselves.

   Steers was for many years captain of the City hall squad. He was made inspector when Superintendent Murray took charge of the department and retired two years ago. At that time he was a chief inspector in command of the detective office. His pension of $2,500 per annum goes with the now defunct rank of chief inspector. He is a conspicuous and popular member of the Washington Heights Methodist church.

   The sensational evidence against Steers was not brought forward until late in the afternoon, Counsel Goff having paved the way with a number of witnesses who swore that steamship and railroad companies had paid tribute to the police for guarding their property.

   One after another a steady stream of policemen swore to this fact, and then the big sensation of the session was sprung as a fitting climax to the day's proceedings.

   Before any business was transacted by the committee, the senators and their counsel indulged in a public discussion, the upshot of which was a decision that any action, criminal or civil, against Captain Creeden was barred and illegal; that the testimony and proceedings of the Lexow committee are privileged; and that Captain Creeden's reinstatement by the police hoard was a commendable proceeding.

   At the request of Harry Hill, who some months ago testified that he had seen Governor Shepard in a disorderly house in this city, this testimony was expunged from the record.

   Captain Strauss of the East Sixty-seventh street police station was the first witness of the day. He was questioned about his bank account, but made no admissions of consequence.

   The audience meanwhile was charged with breathless excitement and when John W. Reppenhagen took the stand, even the senators appeared unusually interested. But Reppenhagen didn't swear to anything that had not been previously shown. He related that he had been given $5,000 of the $15,000 paid by T. J. Creeden for a captaincy; that he had frequently loaned policemen money; that saloonkeepers in his district frequently paid for police "protection."

   Policeman Thomas O'Neil said that he would prefer not to testify and intimated that he was afraid he would suffer for his testimony. Finally, however, he swore that while he was patrolman on the White Star Steamship dock the company paid him $10 a week and of this he gave Wardman Gannon $25 a month for Captain Schmittberger. This practice continued under Sergeant Taylor, who was acting captain, and under Captain Allaire.

   Several policemen swore to having handed over part of the extra money, paid them by steamship or other companies, to their captains.

   Oscar R. Conchois, general agent of the French steamship company, was the next witness.

   "What do you know of the attempt made to get hold of the books of your company, in which an entry of $500 paid to Captain Schmittberger had been made?"

   "Mr. Wolff, representing Captain Schmittberger, came to me and said that the captain would appear before this committee and that they were trying to collect all the evidence they could. He asked if the French company had not paid Captain Schmittberger $500. After investigation I found that this was so."

   "Well, was any offer made to pay this back?"

   "Yes, Wolff came to me and told me that if we would accept it he would pay back the $500 and something in addition in order to have the company refuse to turn over their books to the committee. When he said 'money' to me I told him to go away, that I would have nothing further to do with him."

   "What was the sum mentioned?"

   "I do not know, but have heard that it was $1,000 in addition to the $500."

   Officer Murphy testified that he had been paid $25 per month for 14 years for dock work, and that under Captains Allaire, Schmittberger and Gastlin he had to give up half of this money every month to the different wardmen.

   Peter Moran. now of the Sixth precinct and formerly of the steamboat squad, testified that he was at one time on the White Star docks and received $10 a week extra compensation.

   "Did you pay any money to Captain Schmittberger?"

   "No, he wanted it all and I refused to give any. Then I was transferred to regular police duty again."

   Ex-Wardman Ball, who served under Captain Gastlin, was the next witness.

   "I believe that you will not deny that you collected the money from these officers?"

   "No."

   "Who did you give it to?"

   "To Captain Gastlin."

   "And did you ever collect for Captain Schmittberger?"

   "Yes; I was under Schmittberger for only two months."

   Witness then said that when Captain Schmittberger first assumed command of the steamboat squad he wanted the men to turn over all the extra money to him. Some of the men agreed to this, but others objected.

   "What money did you ever collect for Schmittberger?"

   "I collected $50 from Agent Townsend of the Pennsylvania line for the captain. I also went to Hoboken once and got some money from one of the ferry lines there."

   "How much did you get?"

   "Fifty dollars."

   "Well now, for instance, how much did you collect for Captain Schmittberger during the first month he was in the squad?"

   "One hundred and twenty dollars."

   "And that was the regular monthly collection?"

   "Yes."

   Sergeant Taylor, another collector for the captains of the steamboat squad, was called to the stand. He had been on the police force for 30 years and was a sergeant 25 years of that time. He went to the steamboat squad in 1881 or 1882. Witness denied that he had ever collected from patrolmen for Captain Gastlin.

   Senator Lexow took occasion here to inform the witness of his privileges and also to warn him against perjury.

   "Well, do you know of any money ever being paid to Captain Schmittberger?"

   "Not to my personal knowledge."

   "I believe after Schmittberger's removal you were acting captain for several months?"

   "Yes."

   "Well, while you were in charge did any of the officers pay you any money whatever?"

   "Yes."

   "Who was it?"

   "Peter Moran (who testified this morning) paid me at one time $10, but I don't remember any other."

   "Well, sergeant, how much did you collect during Captain Schmittberger's term per month?"

   "About $200."

   "What did you do with this?"

   "I paid the most of it to Inspector Steers at police headquarters."

   A buzz went around the courtroom at this answer and everybody suddenly became attentive.

   "What became of the other portion?"

   "I kept it."

   "And how often did you go there? To headquarters I mean."

   "Every month."

   "And why did you pay this to him?"

   "Because he ordered me to do so."

   "How much did you pay to Inspector Steers? What per cent?"

   "Eighty per cent."

   "And you took 20 per cent?"

   "Yes."

   "After Schmittberger left there, and you took charge, did you continue to divide with Steers?"

   "Yes."

   "When Captain Allaire took charge, what did you do with the money you collected?"

   "Well, I put it in an envelope and laid it on the desk in the station house and never saw it any more. I wrote on the envelope, 'street cleaning report,' and left it on the sergeant's desk."

   "Did Captain Allaire ever speak to you about these envelopes?"

   "No."

   "Did you continue to keep out 20 per cent of this money after Allaire came in?"

   "Yes, sir."

   "Well, to whom were you responsible for the collection of this money?"

   "I don't know; I merely continued as I had been doing."

   "And you never knew what become of this money?"

   "I never did so."

   Jacob Klemis, the next witness, said that just before last election he was employed by Alderman Benjamin to buy votes at $2 a head and to furnish the men with Democratic pasters. Instead he paid them $2 each out of Alderman Benjamin's money and gave them Republican pasters and all of them voted them. More than 100 had been paid for this purpose, but he never got a penny for his work.

   Samuel Rothbuck, who was then called, swore that the same alderman had given him $2 and a paster and told him to vote it.

   Rothbuck took the money, but did not vote the paster.

   The witness then went on to state that he returned to Benjamin's store and the alderman gave him another $2 and a paster and again told him to vote it.

   He did not do so, but an hour later he returned for a third time, got another $2 and a paster and finally voted the straight Republican ticket.

   When this fact was developed, Mr. Goff stated that in his opinion the matter should be brought to the attention of the district attorney.

   Chairman Lexow ordered that this be done.

   Many rumors concerning alleged indictments against police officers accused before the Lexow committee are current throughout the city, but beyond Sergeant Taylor's testimony, the developments in connection with police cases have been of no [palpable] import.

HEADS IMPERILLED.

CHINESE COMMANDERS SUMMONED TO STAND TRIAL.

Must Give an Account of Their Failure to Defend Port Arthur—One Admiral, Several Generals and the Taotai of the Fallen City Arrested—Investigation of Japanese Excesses—Other Foreign Matters of Interest.

   SHANGHAI, Dec. 19—An Imperial decree has been issued ordering Li Hung Chang to arrest Kung, the taotai of Port Arthur, and the four Chinese generals who were in command at Port Arthur and to send them to Pekin for trial and punishment for the loss of that important dockyard and fortress.

   Admiral Ting who, by the way, was in command at the disastrous naval engagement off the Yalu river, has been arrested for failing to defend the dockyard at Port Arthur against the Japanese forces.

   The Chinese government has heard of the Japanese excesses at Port Arthur and a strict inquiry is now proceeding. Some of the Japanese officers are now being tried by court-martial for not restraining their men after the capture of Port Arthur.

   Most of the foreign correspondents declare that the excesses were excusable by parallel cases which have occurred in the best European armies.

   The officials of Port Arthur report that the Japanese have made stringent regulations for the protection of the inhabitants of that place who are now said to be returning. Many of them are receiving food from the Japanese.

Turkish Oppression Lessened.

   TIFLIS, Russian Transcaucasia, Dec. 19.—An Armenian paper published here has advices from Moosh, Turkish Armenia, showing that since the appointment of the commission to inquire into the outrages, Turkish oppression has greatly lessened.

THE PHELPS CASE.

THE STOMACH TO BE ANALYZED IN SYRACUSE.

Coroner's Jury Summoned—An Inquest to be Held—The Remains Buried on Tuesday.

   There are no new developments yet and no new light as to the cause of the death of Loren N. Phelps who died so suddenly at his home in Solon last Saturday. Coroner G. W. Bradford of Homer assisted by Drs. M. R. Smith and H. C. Hendrick of McGrawville held a post mortem examination and removed the stomach which was yesterday taken to Syracuse by Dr. Bradford. It will then be analyzed and examined for traces of poisoning by Dr. William M. Smith, the expert chemist. It will probably be several days before a report will be ready.

   Coroner Bradford has summoned a jury consisting of Messrs. F. J. Berggren, foreman, Oliver D. Perry, B. H. Randall, B. J. Wadsworth, C. D. Wayle, Edwin Maycumber, F. R. Thompson and Dr. F. H. Forshee. The jury has viewed the remains and has adjourned to await the call of the coroner, when an inquest will be held.

   The remains were buried at 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon.

BREVITIES.

   —The Y. M. C. A. Photographic club meets to-night at 8 o'clock.

   —The Cortland Beef Co. will to-night ship 8,000 pounds of poultry to New York for Christmas.

   —Cortlandville lodge, No. 470, F. and A. M., hold a special communication this evening. Second degree.

   —The Ladies' Literary club meet with Mrs. C. P. Walrad this afternoon. The subject is John Lathrop Motley.

   —The case of The People vs. Frank Seaman, who was arrested on the charge of petit larceny, was settled this morning.

   —The Y. M C. A. bath rooms which have been thoroughly cleaned and painted will be ready for use Friday at 1 P. M.

   —Cortland school teachers will please note that statistics show that where exercise between classes is allowed near-sightedness in pupils is largely prevented.

   —Local papers are good advertising for local merchants. You can't talk to as many people about your goods in six months as you can in one day in your home paper.—Printer's Ink.

   —It is said that if you wish to rid your cellar of rats, sprinkle red pepper on the floor just around the holes. The rat comes out, steps in the pepper, cleans his feet with his tongue and leaves your house never to return.

   — Read this girls, if you want to live long and always look young: A peachy complexion, like that of a young girl, was possessed by the Marquise de Crequy even to the close of her long life. She died at the age of 98, and for the last forty years lived almost entirely on oranges. She often ate a dozen of them for breakfast. No charge will be made for this free advertisement to Cortland dealers in oranges.

New Baker at Marks' Bakery.

   Mr. T. J. Anderson, late of Binghamton, has accepted a place as baker in the popular bakery of T. M. Marks in the Squires building. Mr. Anderson has had twenty-nine years' experience and is regarded as first-class in every respect. He is introducing a number of novelties in bakestuffs, as well as preparing all the staple goods of the best quality.

Everything at Beaudry's.

   Nearly everything that can be thought of for a Christmas gift is to be found at Beaudry's. Beaudry never had so large and so complete a stock of goods for the Christmas trade as this year. One should see the baskets, for he has them of every size and description and for every purpose. There are work baskets, large and handsome, and little bon bon baskets, and jewel baskets, and clothes baskets, and all at prices cheap, cheap, cheap. And then the toys—nearly the whole of the rear of the large store is devoted to toys. There were never so many before, they were never so attractive as now. Mechanical toys are in abundance. You wind them up and they go themselves and the child can hardly contain himself with delight at the sight. And the dolls, how the little girls do say "Oh! oh!! oh!!!" as they get into this fairy land of dolldom, and how could they help it, for there are dolls large and small, dolls that can do almost everything but talk. And candy—no Christmas would be complete without candy. Not children alone, but the older ones as well like candy—and Beaudry has it for everybody, fresh every day and of all kinds and varieties. Beaudry has Huyler's candy in pound and half-pound boxes, and everybody knows that is the best. And then be always has everything that is latest and freshest in the fruit line. And there are books for the children and older ones; and the smoker can find everything he needs. In fact everything that is wanted can be found at Beaudry's.

PALMER & CO., GROCERS.

Repairs Will Prevent the Opening until Friday Morning.

   The new grocery store of Palmer & Co., successors to E. W. Bates at 22 Main-st., is to-day closed and is undergoing a general overhauling. Carpenters, masons, painters, and paper hangers are as busy as bees inside. It had been hoped that the work could be completed in time to resume business to-morrow, but it was not possible to accomplish so much in one day, and the opening will in consequence be delayed until Friday morning.

   A partition at the rear of the old store is being removed thus throwing into the main store what was a storeroom and in consequence making the store more than half as long again as formerly. A large storeroom is being fitted up still further back. The store is being receiled, repapered and repainted and already some order begins to appear out of chaos.

   Under the new management goods will be sold strictly and solely for cash. No goods will be delivered, but it is the intention to make everything so cheap that purchasers can well afford to patronize the dime express and still save money. A dime expressman will be steadily in attendance at the store and Palmer & Co. will promptly order goods sent home to purchasers if it is so desired. More facts with some of the bargains to be noted will be found in their new advertisement which will appear tomorrow.