New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-05-03
FRIEND OF LAW-BREAKERS
COMMISSIONER MARTINS STAND.
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD WHO APPROVE SUPER
INTENDENr BYRNEs's POSITION.


of the Excise law on Sunday was the subject OF
much talk at Police Headquarters yesterday.
The police captains all had TO go to headquarters
in the morning to get their checks and payrols,
so that the police might receive their pay for
April later in the day. Although they were care
fnl not to permit their names 10 be used in inter
views, fearing to offend the powers above them,
they expressed the opinion, which seemed to per-
wade the entire department, that an inevitable
conflict between President Martin and Superin-
tendent Byrnes had been forced by Mr.. Martins
interference on Saturday.
just look at the situation" said one shrewd
captain, and you can easily guess what the end
Is to nc. Here is "A superintendent of Police who
declares openly that he is bound to have the laws
enforced. lie goes about the business OF stopping
Illegal Hqcor-scling IN such a fashion MS to scare
all tie liqaor dealers in town. and TO make most
Of them shut up shop on Sunday. Next. there
is loud cry to Tammany Hall, and the liquor
dealers threaten 10 bolt the organization if the
police are not stopped. Then Mr. Martin has the
capt;tns called here ON Saturday afternoon, when
the Superintendent happens TO be away. and re-
minded Of that old resolution in manner that
meant, 'Kccp your hands off the liquor stores to-
morrow Now, the Superintendent still insists
that the law shall be enforced, and that means
a fight. I've seen good many queer situations
in the department, but | don't expect to see
Superintendent of Police put on trial for per-
sisting in enforcing the law. If such thing
does happen, then goodbye Tammany Hall. The
public would eupport any chief of police against
snch interference with his plain duty by politi-
cal crganization.'
THE ADVANTAGE ALL WITH BYRNES.
Another captain said: President Martin ought
10 have had more sense than 10 try to crack the
Tamnany whip about the of man like
Byrncs. Mark what tell you, Mr.. Martin will
have 70 back down lie will find himself in a
position where even Tammany Hall would not
dnrc 10 stay
Every captain was obliged 10 make a report in
writing 10 Superintendent Byrncs yesterday re-
garding the enforcement of the Excise law in his
precinct on Sunday. The reports declared that
the law had been enforced fairly and uniformly
in every precinct. Mr. Byrnes also demanded and
received from Chief Inspector Steers written
report regarding the calling of the captains to-
ccthcr on Saturday Neither would tell later
what the report contained, but Mr.. Steers doubt
less stated that he had sent for the captains by
request Of President Martin, and had read 10 them
the resolution Disappearing of spies and sncaks. -
The action Of the Chief Inspector on Saturday
docs not necessarily place him in conflict with the
oyster on the subject yesterday. All he would
say to reporters was: The least said, the soonest
ncndcl7 His example Of silcnc, WAS followed
closely by tho other inspectors, who shook their
heads wien approached BY reporters.
THE suTERINTESpESTs STATEMENT.
Superintcndcnt Byrnes said: So far a. | am
Informed thcr IL only cordial aud friendly feel
ing between the members Of the Police board
the inspectors and captaius and myself. The re-
ports which | have received indicate that the
law was well enforced i'll the city yesterday.
shall continue 10 try TO have the laws enforced TO
the satisfaction OF the public
DO Won ,hinl, that the Excise law can bc en-
forced satisfactorily on Sunday by policemen III
uniform ?" Tribune reporter inquired
aI hardly think 40, but il the men in uniform
cannot s,op illegal liquor-selling | think that
poucemen in plain clothes may be permitted 10
arrr,,. vrrsstent vlolators of the law.
Have YOU Issued any new orders on that sub
ject today"
No"
Will the methods Of enforcing The law he
brought ~ the attention OF thc IoIicc p'' "
ito meeting tomorrow? p
e cannot tell
James j. Martin. the president oil Inc lolc'
Roord whose action on saturday has been con-
the lI,uor.dealcrs against police interference VITA
thc sale Of rum on sunday. remained away from
Police headquarters yesterday
THE REAL OBJECT or THE RESOLUTION.
John Nc(1avc. the Republican member OF the
policc ioard sail Yesterday % Tribune reporter
,h., tbc resolution TO which the attention OF the
CAPTAINS was called by Chief Inspector steers on
SATURDAY. was not intended - prevent tho enforce
ia I,pforc that rr>DltlilDll
,,oa paescl1 he said, the Commissioners had re-
ccivcd many ANONYMOUS letters, declaring. III
| e0cct that uauor-,icalcrs were being backuailcd
hv uoliccmcn who went into liquor stores IN thc
character of spies pretending 10 have evidence oi
vocation Of the Law, and offering to let the dealers
escape arrest for bribcs The commissioners also
had received complaints that some of the policemen
| went into the liquor stores at times whch thc
store, were not open 10 the public ana induced the
dealers or bariendcrs to sell OF give liquor to them
by some fraudulent plea in order that they might
make arrests. In such cases 1t oi'en hppehei
that when the prisoners were arr'lgnca Ill thc
police courts the policemen modified their com
paints so I'd to permit the discharge oi the prls-
/ oners The Commissioners wished 10 sop such
| conduct They wished the police to enforce the
| law but 10 do il in manly fashion. There was
nothing in the resolution to prevent the Superin-
| tendcnt of Police or any police captain or any
other member of the force. from getting evidence
m n proper way. II the captains have reason to
believe that the law is being violated in liquor
store on Sunday they have the right TO send man
| in plain clothes or dozen such men If necessary
| to make arrests"
| "Will YOU sustain the Superintendent in the
enforcement Of the Excise law" tho reporter
| inquired.
! YES" was the emphatic reply. most decidedly
| I will, or in the enforcement of any other law
Mr. McClaye said he was not informed re-
| nnrdng the manner in which the old resolution
| Of the Commissioners was called to the at; 'nton
of the cnDt1ins and he had no comments TO
| make on that subject.
| MAGICIAN WILL STAND WITH BYRNFS.