2 “entirely pleasant and cold-blooded”: TR to HCL, Jan. 19, 1896, MOR I, p. 509.
3 “perhaps the best spent of my life”: TR to Bamie, Jan. 19, 1896, MOR I, p. 510.
4 “I alone am Right!”: “Police Commissioner Roosevelt from His Latest Photograph Taken by Himself,” NYW, July 21, 1896, p. 1.
5 “thrived and fattened through dishonesty and favoritism”: (Roosevelt’s speech to Methodists): “Roosevelt’s Defiance,” NYS, Jan. 21, 1896, p. 8; “Defends Police Board,” NYT, Jan. 21, 1896, p. 9; “Roosevelt Is Excited,” NYW, Jan. 21, 1896, p. 1.
6 passed two resolutions…“just warfare against crime”: “Roosevelt’s Defiance,” NYS, Jan. 21, 1896, p. 8.
7 Riis knew the place all too well: Riis, Making of an American, p. 166. For Riis’s story of tramping and the bitter memory of his dog being killed, see pp. 41–45.
8 “The system encourages pauperism”: “Station Lodgings to Go,” NYS, Jan. 22, 1896.
9 “On a cold night in a comfortable home”: Lyman Abbott, Darkness and Daylight, p. 46.
10 “skulkers, loafers, outcasts and criminals”: Helen Campbell, “Underground Life in New York,” in Ibid, p. 431. See also, in this volume, Thomas Byrnes, “Low Lodging Houses,” pp. 645–656.
11 “The metropolis … attracts them in swarms”: Riis, How the Other Half Lives, pp. 66–72.
12 “Society for the Suppression of Benevolence”: Edwin G. Burrows and Mike Wallace, Gotham: A History of New York City to 1898, p. 1160.
13 “We are satisfied from numerous investigations”: Robert De Forest to Mayor Strong, Dec. 30, 1895, Mayor’s Papers, William L. Strong, microfilm roll #37, NYCMA.
14 “An Experiment in Misery” “came to his nostrils”: Stephen Crane, The New York City Sketches of Stephen Crane, pp. 33–42. Excellent and amusing resource for fin de siècle New York.
15 “Yet hundreds of men and women”: Helen Campbell, Darkness and Daylight, p. 420.
16 “without employment” “not giving a good account of himself”: C. D. Rust, Penal Code of the State of New York. The vagrancy law then also included habitual drunkards, persons unable to pay for disease cures, especially venereal disease, prostitutes, beggars, and persons in disguise.
17 “unwise philanthropy”: Roosevelt summed it up in his letter. TR to Mayor Strong, Feb 27, 1897, in Board of City Magistrates, Annual Report, p. 12.
18 “lazy, dissipated, filthy, vermin-covered, disease-breeding”: “Wandering Willies Must Work,” NYW, Jan. 29, 1896, p. 8; “Police Lodgings Must Go,” NY Trib, Jan. 29, 1896, p. 4.
19 “Skeptical” Roosevelt: Avery Andrews, Citizen in Action, p. 146, NYPD. Andrews argues that his bicycle policing led to founding the New York Police Department’s first traffic squad.
20 “jounced” up and down: Roosevelt, Autobiography, p. 184.
21 “shot a passerby in the leg”: Avery Andrews, Citizen in Action, p. 152, NYPD.
22 “Chances are you could tackle ten policemen”: “Police to Have Pistol Practice,” NYT, Nov. 1, 1895.
23 “Policeman O’donnell raised his pistol and fired. Bang!”: “Told to Shoot to Kill,” NYW, Dec. 31, 1895, p. 5.
24 “A trained marksman can disable a man”: “Coppers on Bicycles and at Pistol Practice,” New York Journal, Dec. 11, 1895.
25 “incalculable value to the force”: Peter Conlin to TR, Jan. 19, 1897, in New York City Police Department, Annual Report, 1896, p. 20.
26 “sarcasm and criticism”: “Ward Detectives Again,” NYW, Jan. 2, 1896, p. 5.
27 “He is dead game and very efficient”: TR to HCL, Aug, 27, 1895, HCL Papers (text deleted from MOR I).
28 “He has exactly the peculiar knowledge”: TR to Corinne, Aug. 1, 1895, Theodore Roosevelt, Correspondence and Compositions (MS Am 1540), TRC.
29 “could be replaced with advantage by two high class clerks”: Ibid.
30 “queer as Dick’s hat”: Ibid.
31 “He detested a misplaced comma”: Louis S. Posner, “I Remember 300 Mulberry Street When!” Spring 3100, March 1962, p. 11. The eighty-four-year-old former secretary reminisced about the Police Board.
32 “his mind was so independent and logical”: Samuel Parsons, in a letter to the NYT, July 10, 1920.
33 “the secret and evasive Parker and the open, direct emphatic Roosevelt”: Avery Andrews, Citizen in Action, p. 31, NYPD.
34 “very much impressed by Parker”: William Travers Jerome, interview by Henry F. Pringle, 1929, Pringle folder, TRC.
35 “men who have done special service”: “New Form of Promotion,” NYT, Aug. 1, 1895.
36 “seniority, merit and [include a] competitive exam”: “Conlin Sole Applicant,” NYT, Dec. 4, 1895, p. 16; NYS, Dec. 4, 1895.
37 “exceptionably able and trustworthy”: “Minutes of the Trial of Andrew Parker,” testimony, July 7, 1896, Vol. II, NYCMA.
38 “Since I wrote it, I’ll stand by it”: “The Luck of Roosevelt’s Tierney,” NYW, Dec. 23, 1896; “Mr. Roosevelt a Witness,” NYT, July 8, 1896; Parker trial minutes, NYCMA.
39 “Theodore Roosevelt Tierney”: Born Oct. 23, 1896, birth certificate #45132, New York City birth records, 1891–1902.
40 “By the mobilization of the thieves, thugs and murderers in New York”: Washington Post, Jan. 25, 1896.
41 “War on the Banana Skin”: NYT, Feb. 9, 1896, p. 11.
42 “Who is ‘Ted-dy’ Roos-e-velt?”: “Roosevelt Talks to Students,” Chicago Daily Tribune, Feb. 23, 1896.
43 “to redeem themselves and earn their self-respect”: “Its Clean Beds Popular,” NYT, Mar. 12, 1896.
44 “able-bodied and strong” by a “physician who watched them as they bathed”: Josephine Shaw Lowell to Mayor Strong, Apr. 29, 1896, Mayor’s Papers, William L. Strong, microfilm roll #37, NYCMA.
45 “drunken roughs ripe for mischief”: Riis, Making of an American, pp. 154–155.
46 “I wish you would stop him from talking so much”: Joseph Bucklin Bishop, Theodore Roosevelt and His Time, Vol. 1, pp. 62–63.
47 “I am getting this force into good shape”: TR to Bamie, Feb. 25, 1896, MOR I, p. 516.
CHAPTER 15: DEVERY ON TRIAL
1 “so right with Devery”: Citizens Union, Touchin’ On and Appertainin’ To Mr. Deputy Commissioner Devery.
2 “hypothesis of guilt by circumstantial evidence”: “One Juryman Obtained,” NYT, May 18, 1896, p. 3; “Language in Court,” NYT, May 18, 1896, p. 4.
3 “Principal Highway Robberies and Burglaries of Fifty Days”: NYW, Jan. 21, 1896, p. 2.
4 “It would be quite impossible to catalogue and refute”: “Reports Not Verified,” NYT, Mar. 19, 1896, p. 8; “The Police Board Angry,” NY Trib, Mar. 19, 1896, p. 13; “Roosevelt Attacks the World,” NYW, Mar. 19, 1896, p. 4; “World Infamy Laid Bare,” NYS, Mar. 19, 1896, p. 1; “Scored by Police,” NYH, Mar. 19, 1896, p. 5.
5 “The only thing I am afraid of is”: TR to Bamie, Mar. 9, 1896, MOR I, p. 521.
6 “We present a simple statement of facts to-day”: “Roosevelt’s Raid,” NYW, Mar. 19, 1896, p. 6.
7 “The ego of the board is in danger of eclipse”: “Conlin Shows His Hand,” NYW, Mar. 23, 1896, p. 16.
8 Commissioner Parker, “at first the least prominent of the quartet”: “Police in Politics,” NYH, Mar. 28, 1896, p. 4.
9 “like a highwayman who says ‘Pay me money or I will arrest you’ ”: “Capt. Devery’s Trial,” NYT, Mar. 25, 1896, p. 14; additional coverage, first day of trial: “Devery Under Fire,” NYH, Mar. 25, 1896, p. 8; “Bribe in Handshake,” NYW, Mar. 25, 1896, p. 4.
10 “glibly denied everything important” “How long did you do this ‘Special Duty’?” “So it drifted along”: Second day of testimony: “Sleepy Devery Trial,” NYW, Mar. 26, 1896, p. 16; “Alibi for Devery,” NYH, Mar. 26, 1896, p. 4; “Devery Tries an Alibi,” NYS, Mar. 26, 1896, p. 3.
11 third and final day of testimony in Devery trial: “Devery Jury Locked Up,” NYT, p. 3; “Devery’s Jury Is Locked Up,” NYH, p. 5
; “Devery’s Jury Is Out,” NYW, March 27, 1896.
12 verdict in Devery trial: “Devery Is Acquitted,” NYH, Mar. 28, 1896, p. 4; “Capt. Devery Acquitted,” NYW, Mar. 28, 1896, p. 1; “Captain Devery Goes Free,” NY Trib, Mar. 28, 1896, p. 1; “Capt. Devery Acquitted,” NYT, Mar. 28, 1896, p. 1.
13 “not the kind of man”: “Devery Is Acquitted,” NYH, Mar. 28, 1896, p. 4.
14 ROOSEVELT KING IN NAME ONLY: New York Journal, Mar. 27, 1896.
15 “It was a political shenanigan of a high”: Avery Andrews, Citizen in Action, p. 193, NYPD.
CHAPTER 16: SURPRISES
1 “will effectively and promptly solve”: “To Enforce Raines Law,” NYT, Mar. 31, 1896, p. 1.
2 It raised the drinking age from sixteen to eighteen years old: Bonfort’s Wine and Spirit Circular, Mar. 25, 1896, pp. 425–438 (entire text of Raines Law); “Raines Bill Provisions,” NYW, Mar. 14, 1896.
3 The Raines law required: “Raines Law Problems,” NYT, Apr. 1, 1896; “Surety Companies’ Profits,” NYT, Apr. 19, 1896; “A Good Thing for Platt’s Son,” NYW, Apr. 6, 1896, p. 1; “Platt Son Opens Shop,” NYW, Apr. 17, 1896, p. 5.
4 “the same idea of public life”: Roosevelt, The Letters of Theodore Roosevelt, Vol. II (hereafter MOR II), p. 1473, quoted in Mornings on Horseback, p. 255.
5 “hundreds of gallons of beef stew”: “Mourn the Free Lunch,” NYW, Apr. 2, 1896, p. 2.
6 “like a horde of locusts”: “To Enforce Raines Law,” NYT, Mar. 31, 1896, p. 1.
7 RAINES MAKES A THIRST: NYW, Apr. 5, 1896.
8 “unobstructed view of the bar”: “Raines Law in Force,” NYT, Apr. 6, 1896, p. 1.
9 “I am going to Canarsie”: “Must Give up the Business,” New York Evening World, Mar. 26, 1896.
10 “desirous of promoting only Republicans”: “Police in Politics,” NYH, Mar. 28, 1896.
11 “spike Conlin’s guns”: “To Head Off Parker,” NYW, Apr. 2, 1896, p. 12.
12 LOOK FOR LIVELY FUN: New York Press, Apr. 9, 1896, LC Scrapbook, TRP, p. 293.
13 “simple matter to end such deadlocks”: “Austin Police Bill,” NYH, Apr. 10, 1896.
14 “I would not like to kill Mr. Parker”: “Words Not Minced by Mr. Roosevelt,” New York Press, Apr. 10, 1896.
15 “I want the chief to be subject to the control of the Board”: “In Favor of Roosevelt,” NYW; “They Explain,” New York Advertiser, Apr. 10, 1896.
16 “consistency is the hobgoblin”: “In Favor of Roosevelt,” NYW, Apr. 10, 1896.
17 Your board transferred policemen: “Contest Taken to Albany,” NY Trib, Apr. 10, 1896.
18 “Never in the history of the force”: “Give Mr. Parker the Lie,” NYT, Apr. 16, 1896, p. 2; see also TR to Edward Lauterbach, Apr. 10, 1896, MOR I, p. 525.
19 “Those statements are false”: “Minutes of the Trial of Andrew Parker,” Vol. II, p. 980, NYCMA.
20 “so heated a wrangle”: TR to Frances “Fanny” Parsons, Apr. 12, 1896, Letters to F.T.S.D. Parsons, MS Am 1454.41, TRC.
21 “Walsh, Dem. strongly espoused by Roosevelt”: TR to Edward Lauterbach, Apr. 10, 1896, MOR I, p.528.
22 “I shall insist on being furnished with an ax”: Apr. 11, 1896, New York Advertiser, Avery Andrews scrapbook, TRC.
23 “That statement of Mr. Parker that he is responsible”: TR to Edward Lauterbach, Apr. 10, 1896, MOR I, pp. 525–533.
24 “If I had nothing worse than bombs”: “Roosevelt’s Fame Rises on a Bomb,” New York Journal, Apr. 14, 1896.
25 POLICE REFORM LOST: NYW, Apr. 17, 1896, p. 1.
26 “Roosevelt generally knew how to handle men”: Avery Andrews, Citizen in Action, p. 188, NYPD.
27 “I regret that Commissioner Roosevelt”: “Give Mr. Parker the Lie,” NYT, Apr. 16, 1896, p. 2.
28 “Lauterbach queered us before the Senate Committee”: TR to HCL, Apr. 11, 1896, MOR I, p. 533.
29 “It was to be done through Commissioner Parker”: TR to Mayor Strong, Apr. 28, 1896, with copy of McMorrow’s April 20th confession attached, “Mayor’s Letters,” William L Strong, microfilm (Roll #36; Subject files: Police Dept.), NYCMA. Other details emerge: “Both Say Mr. Parker Lied,” NYS, Dec. 30, 1896; “Roosevelt’s Queer Stab at Parker,” NYW, Dec. 30, 1896; “Parker’s Name Connected with Charges of Bribery,” NYH, Dec. 30, 1896; “Parker Baits Roosevelt,” NYS, Dec. 31, 1896.
30 “We did not suppose you would care”: TR to Mayor Strong, Apr. 21, 1896, MOR I, p. 534.
31 “I had quite a time with the mayor last night”: TR to Avery Andrews, Apr. 22, 1896, MOR I, p. 535.
32 “I cannot be sure of Parker’s financial honesty”: TR to Bamie, Apr. 26, 1896, MS Am 1834, TRC.
33 “There’s no fake hotel about this place”: “Drinks All You Want,” NYW, Apr. 13, 1896, p. 4.
34 “one of the busiest places in New York”: “ ‘Hotels’ Not Molested,” NYT, Apr. 20, 1896, p. 8.
35 “eggs boiled to an indigestible degree of hardness”: “Rum Ruled the City,” NYW, Apr. 20, 1896, p. 2.
36 “traffick in liquor”: “Heavy Blow to Raines Bill,” NYH, Apr. 8, 1896, p. 4; see also “Clubs Resolve to Fight,” NYW, Apr. 3, 1896, p. 3.
37 DRINKS? ALL YOU WANT: NYW, Apr. 13, 1896, p. 4.
38 “meal”: Ibid.
39 “guest”: “Dry Sundays Are Over,” NYW, Apr. 15, 1896, p. 16.
40 RUM RULED THE CITY: NYW, Apr. 20, 1896, p. 1.
41 “We’ll have to stop the drinks for a few minutes”: New York Evening World, quoted in the Los Angeles Times, May 12, 1896, p. 6.
42 “Ten beers and one hard boiled egg”: “Question About a Meal,” NYT, Apr. 22, 1896, p. 3.
43 “The police have special instructions just now”: Ibid.; see also “Mr. Conlin to Go Abroad,” NYS, Apr. 22, 1896.
44 “Who says Max Hochstim aint running a genuine hotel?”: “Cold, But Beer Flowed,” NYW, Apr. 27, 1896, p. 2.
45 “I nominate Theodore Roosevelt”: “Roosevelt Rules,” New York Press, May 2, 1896; “He Named Mr. Roosevelt,” NYT, May 2, 1896.
46 “practical joke”: May 2, 1896, New York Evening Post, Avery Andrews scrapbook, TRC.
47 “looked like it had seen better days”: Inspection account: “Roosevelt Sees Sunday Bars,” New York Journal, May 4, 1896, in both TR scrapbook (TRP) and Andrews scrapbook (TRC).
48 “an old dessicated ruin of dust-laden bread”: Eugene O’Neill, The Iceman Cometh (1940), opening scene.
49 “The practical effect is merely to charge double”: “Differ in Opinions,” New York Advertiser, May 5, 1896.
CHAPTER 17: DUEL
1 “derives more joy from teasing reformers”: “Talk of Pistols by City Rulers,” New York Press, May 6, 1896.
2 “expected to be better than the old one”: “Pure Cussedness, Says the Mayor,” NYH, Feb. 21, 1896, p. 7.
3 “in the interests of the criminal classes”: “Fitch’s Refusal Arouses Wrath,” NYH, Apr. 15, 1896, p. 8.
4 “everybody in journalism, in office or in politics”: Reply to Mr. Roosevelt,” NYH, Apr. 16, 1896, p. 7.
5 “Remember you are keeping this money away”: Duel threat scene: “Call for Pistols in Mayor’s Office,” NYH, May 6, 1896, p. 6; “Fitch Said Pistols,” NYW, May 6, 1896, p. 16; “Roosevelt and Fitch at It,” NY Trib, May 6, 1896, p. 9; “Mayor Stopped the Row,” NYT, May 6, 1896, p. 8.
6 “he has often punctured grizzly bears”: NYES, May 6, 1896, Avery Andrews scrapbook, TRC.
7 “a matter easily arranged with any sane person”: “Transfer of Funds,” NYT, May 8, 1896, p. 9.
8 The Evening News ran a cartoon: May 6, 1896.
9 “Yesterday I lost my temper with Fitch”: TR to HCL, May 6, 1895, MOR I, p. 537. (The published edition leaves out “lying little blackguard.”)
10 “What is a private member?”: “Wordy Police Row,” NYT, May 16, 1896, p. 8.
11 “endless petty rows with Parker & Fitch”: TR to Bamie, May 17, 1896, MOR I, p. 542.
12 “Officer, give
me that beer”: “Roosevelt Chases a Cop,” NYS, May 20, 1896; “Chased by Roosevelt,” NYW, May 20, 1896, p. 9; “Chased by Mr. Roosevelt,” NY Trib, May 20, 1896, p. 1.
13 “goes away often to lecture”: New York Recorder, May 20, 1896, Avery Andrews scrapbook, TRC.
14 “paid May Williams and Gussie Rous”: Brothel expenses: “Shocked by Reform,” NYW, May 20, 1896; “Bills of Police Spies,” NYS, May 20, 1896; “Light Shed on Police Reform,” NYH, May 20, 1896.
15 “I first take off my wedding dress”: “Pilar-Morin Testifies,” NYS, May 19, 1896.
16 Mrs. Grannis…“sacredness of marriage”: “Mlle. Pilar-Morin, the Pantomimist,” NYW, May 19, 1896, p. 5.
17 Belasco…“highly moral”: “Pilar-Morin Testifies,” NYS, May 19, 1896.
18 “invasion of the sanctity of the nuptial chamber”: “Faded Orange Blossoms,” NYW, May 26, 1895.
19 “Paid for Woman: $10; Wine: $20; Cigars: $2”: Brothel expenses: “Shocked by Reform,” NYW, May 20, 1896; “Bills of Police Spies,” NYS, May 20, 1896; “Light Shed on Police Reform,” NYH, May 20, 1896.
20 “Cab hire, dress suits, patent-leather shoes”: New York Recorder, May 21, 1896, MS Am 1834, Avery Andrews scrapbook, TRC.
21 “illicit sexual intercourse”: Mayor’s Papers, William L. Strong, microfilm roll #36, NYCMA; see also “Reply to Justice Pryor,” NYT, May 21, 1896, p. 2.
22 “at heart the best interests of the city”: Mayor Strong to Andrew Parker, May 20, 1896, Mayor’s Papers, William L. Strong, microfilm roll #36, NYCMA; see also “Mr. Parker on the Stand,” NYT, July 3, 1896.
23 “I am on pretty good terms with the old boy now”: TR to Bamie, May 26, 1896, MS Am 1834, TRC.
24 “It was the most courteous and proper method”: Andrew Parker to Mayor Strong, May 27, 1896, Mayor’s Papers, William L. Strong, microfilm roll #36, NYCMA; see also “Mr. Parker on Stand,” NYT, July 3, 1896.
25 “You can judge my astonishment”: Mayor Strong to Andrew Parker, NYT, May 28, 1896; “Mr. Parker on Stand,” NYT, July 3, 1896.
Island of Vice Page 49
