New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-05-01
H1LT or AUTANCE-UHICH|

Halt OK 1DT1NCE-UH ICH
The local officials who first sneered at DIR.
Parkhurst's charges and then, when a sub
servient Grand Jury had answered to their ex-
pectations, triumphantly reviled him, seem TO
suspect at last that something important has
happened. We do not pretend to know just
what their state of mind is. but there is con-
siderable evidence of bewderment and solicit
tude on their part. The condemnation and
practical indictment of the Police Department
by Grand Jury of very different calibrc and
conscience from that whose findings had so
greatly pleased them was an unexpected and
grievOus blow 1t SmOte them right between
the eyes and made them vince. In fact they
have been wncing ever since, and their buster
has not concealed their anxiety The promo
ton of Inspector Byrnes was unavoidable, but
its consequences are not the less troublesome
10 them on that account. The new Supern-
tendent of Police has declared that he will en-
force the laws and thus far he has acted as II
he meant precisely what he said. lie dictated
the sweeping and significant transfer of police
CAPTAINS. and nobody doubts that other changes
are in progress or contemplation which will
probably amount to a practical reorganization
of the force And now, as the latest III a
series of events which are not less than starting
TO numerous members allies and dependents
of the Tammany government District-Attorncy
Nicoll has obtained an extra Grand jury Tor
Nav for the specific purpose OF trying excise
cases. of which there is an enormous accumula-
ton in his Office.
In view of all these facts it is not strange
that there is deep distress in circles where
tranquility and confidence and comfort have
long reigned. No wonder that thousands OF
anxious nquircrs want to know what 10 all
means and what is going to happen next. Is
this one of the old. familiar, harmless pretenceS
of virtue they ask. or new and radical de
parturc? Does Superintendent Byrnes really
intend to make things universally and perma-
nently dsagreeablc for those who have known
in the past just where to apply for protection
against silly laws? Has the District-Attorney
after all, more respect for his own conscience
and for public opinion than for Croker? IL
was generally understood by those who wax
fat on violations of the excise law that MI
Ncoll would not modest them. 1t was conii-
IDENTIFY reported that this was part OF his
contract with Tammany. IT is due to him 10
say that he has always denied with viSor the
charge that he was constrained by any such
agreement express or implied. lie has SAID
repeatedly that there was no use in attempting
TO try excise cases with the facilities AT his
command. that the calendar was loaded with
them. and that grand juries constantly re-
fused TO find indictments for the reason that
they would merely add to a hopeless accumula-
ton and he has been at least perfectly On-
-. IL, bot &c ho ooul6 auOthp
court the public would see vigorous and per
sistent prosecution of these offenders.
But the District Attorneys declarations on
this subject have not troubled the liquor IDEAL
ers or deeply impressed the community, for it
was seem or at least thought, that he was con-
stantly failing to make full use OF existing
facilities. Now, however the situation seems
TO be changing This extra Grand jury looks
rather ominous. "The World" with which
Mr.. Nicoll has long been in close relations as
serts that the saloonkeepers will hereafter rely
in vain upon the Distrct-Attorneys Office for
the "reief' which they have always found
there. Mr. Nicoll is to clean up the thou
sands of pgeon-holcd indictments and be
ready for new cases. But is he? "Thc World'
SAYS so, but it does not quite believe itself.
Hear it: "Mr Croker will be called upon to
decide whether he will call a halt on Supcrin-
tendent Byrnes and tell him to ease up on the
Sunday closing raids, or antagonize the liquor
dealers" Mr. NicOll can clear out his pigeon
holes without the help of Superintendent
Byrnes, but where will his new cases come
from if the police are 10 ease up on the law
breakers? According to "Thc World" it all
comes back to this: Will or will not Croker
call a halt? And who is Croker? Is he the
superintendent superintendent Is he the
Board Of Police Commissioners? More than
that saws 1.-THE World Technically he is a
private citizen, but "The World' is disposed
TO concede that practically he is the absolute
ruler of New-York for whose decision Police
Commission and Superintendent humby wait
in silence.
"The World" right or wrong? Is Super
intendent Byrnes really powcrless, forcsworn,
contemplate? We refuse to think so, and we
shall not change our opinion until he compels
us to.