New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-04-13
BYRNES NOW IN COMMAND
SUPERINTENDENT MURRAY RETIRES.
1LLHEALTH GIVEN AS THE CAUsE-sKETCHEs
OF THE TWO FAMOUS OFFICERS.

LLHEALTH GIVEN AS THE CAUsE-SKETCHES
OF THE TWO FAMOUS OFFICERS.
The expected change in the control Of the police
force made yesterday when superintendent Murray
retired his application and Chief Inspector
Byrnes promoted to I'LL the office. Since the
recent amendment to the pension law was made, IN
creasing the pension of a retiring superintendent to
$50 year. the retirement Of Mr.. Murray had been
looked for. although he frequently said he not
ready to give up his Office. His nervous disorder,
which made the Of his limbs difficult and uncer-
tain, continued to increase, and when he was forced
to give up active duty again few weeks ago his
friends were united in advising him to ask for retire
ment. Yesterday morning he sent to the Police Com
mssioners the following letter:
Gentlemen: 1t is with sincere regret that place
in your hands my application for retirement, to take
city OF NewYOrk and the position with which have
been honored. that Of its superintendent This step
has been taken at this time only after grave consdera
ton and upon the advice Of my physician on account
of my impaired health My association with the de-
Which have iUr passed through the various grades Of
paroman, roundsman. sergeant captain and inspector
has endeared me 70 ali its Interests and shall ever
cherish among It's members the hearts of oak that have
Whether attacked in time of turbulence ard riot or BY
the tongue of malicious Islander.
desire 10 express to the Board Of Police my sincere
thanks and appreciation of their kindness to me under
every circumstance
The Police Commissioners met early in the after
noon and voted TO retire Mr.. Murray on an annual
pension OF $1,000. Commissioner McClave had pre-
pared the complimentary resolutions accepting his
resignation, and they unanimously adopted
President Martin once set at rest all doubt
as to Mr. MurrayS successor by offering resolu-
ton to appoint Chief Inspector Thomas Bvnes, sub
ject 10 an examination by the Civil Service Board
Tie resolution was adopted Without discussion
Mr. Byrnes evidently had expected the action OF
the Police Board, and he received congratulations
without betruying unusual emotions. lie said that
he not ready &c say that lie would accept the
.once of siper1n endeltt. =" l VIII constder the
situation tonight" he said, "and will give my de-
cision tomorrow" II he passes formal eXamina-
ton, receives certificate from the Civil Service
Board and takes the oath OF Office as
Superintendent Of Police, there will be
vacancy IN the list Of inspectors. Inspector
Henry V. Steers by virtue of his seniority, will be
Chief Inspector with salary of $1,000 year ana
have charge of the Detective Bureau.
William Murray was the first policeman in this city
to rise through all the grades OF the service to the
place Of chief executive officer OF the department lie
was born in this city in 1s43 and received common
school education. At the outbreak Of the war in 1s0l
he enlisted in the Ellsworth Fire Zouaves He was
wounded seriously IN the thigh In the first battle OF
Rull Run and was discharged from the service after
lying for months in hospital. In May 1865, he was
appointed a patrolman, and he performed ordinary
patrol duty for four years previous to his appoint
ment as q roundsman without attracting particular
attention His strict sobrety and in the per |
Torrance Of his duty prepared the way for more rapid
promotion later. He was made sergeant In 1877
and served under Byrnes in the Mercer-s squad until
1876, when he was made captain and placed IN com
mand Of the Oak-st squad.
AS captain Of police he soon became prominent |
figure in the force His capture OF the Astoria masked
burglars, the arrest Of thieves who had stolen S2oooOo
In bonds from Matthew Dancer the notorious gambler
and other proofs of detective ability caused the Com
rtoip xyith
they took advantage OF the first opportunity to promote
him to the rank OF inspector in 1877 Inspector Muir
ray had charge Of the First Inspection District ana
continued to exhibit proof OF his ability until the re-
tirement Of Superintendent George W. Wallng on June
8. 1885. enabled the Commissioners to place him in |
command of the force. superintendent Murray in |
troduced several reforms into the system OF police
work by which 1t simpfed and made more efiec |
tive. His duties performed quietly, but care
fully. His close attention to work in his Office was
an his fnbs first noticed about four years ago. and
It increased gradually until the summer OF 1870 when
Europe to consult eminent specialists. lie returned
to the city in condition than when he went
abroad and he on sick leave for over year. lie
owns handsome residence in Madson-ave.
Thomas Byrnes was New York boy ana ne Re, went
The friendship formed between the two men In the
army has continued to the present time and they g WGT
which they were earning prominence IN the pOnce
Mr. ny RI wa RPC on Socl m
A wear later he promoted 70 the rank Of captain
and he was In command of the Merccr-st squad when
Fisk was shot by Stokes al the Grand Central Hotel
Previously he had charge OF the police force III East
Thirty -hfth-st and OF the Broad%ay SQUAD l1r SLOT
proved his detective ability and caused the Police
foard 10 ulace him In charge OF the Detective Bureau
asSly ~ 1880. lie promoted TO the rank OF In
spector on April 20, 1850, but the Commissioners DC
cided 10 keep him in command OF the detectives, ana
they reorganized the inspection districts for that pur
nose. In 1892 the Legislature passed an act under
ChIch Mr. Byrnes's subordirates became detective
sergeants with increased pay. lie received authority
over the ward detectives later. Three years ago an
Sct WAS passed for his benefit making the senior In
snecOr the Chief Inspector with salary OF 5000
and the command OF the detective force In the dozen
years during which he has had oversight OF the de-
f/ive work in New York, Inspector yrnes has gained
q world wide reputation. Among his many achieve
Inents have arrest OF MctlOn for the murder
Of Louis Hanier tho arrest OF colonel Howard Wells
for the attempt to blackmal Jay Gould and the trap
ping OF the brutal murderer Of Old Shakespeare In
the East River Hotel.