New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-12-08
DIR. PARKHURSTS REPLY.
SCATHING CRITICISM OF MR.. BYRNES.
THE PREACHER DENIES THE SUPERINTENDENT
STATEMENTS AND REPEATS HIS CHARGES

AGAINST THE POLICE.
An interesting subject Of conversation through
out the city yesterday was the sensational state
ment of Superintendent Ryrnes in answer to the
charges brought against the Police Department.
by the Rev. DR.. Charles II. Parkhurst president
of the Society for the Prevention Of Crime
Much surprise expressed by shrewd polite
clans that the Superintendent had allowed him
self to bo drawn into controversy with the
clergyman, and there were many who declared
that he had not improved his position by attack
ing DR.. Parkhurst, instead Of answering the
charges brought against the department.
There was much speculation about what the
clergyman would have to say in detail In answer
to this statement which attacked his integrity
charged him with using dshonorable means to
accomplish his ENDS, and with desire 10 gain
notoriety by sensational preaching.
Last night DR.. Parkhurst issued tho following
statement
There to my attention this morning statement
purpotng Superintendent Byrness
touching the anmus and methods Of the work In which
1 have been engaged during the last ten months The
statement presumably authentic, is atttm on his part
extrcate himself from awkward position by trying To
put another awkward position OF similar eharscs
ter. lie is trying to backen me means Of whitss
washing himself and his department
Now for the sake OF argument, am going for IN ins
slant TO plead guilty TO his Indictment. / gos
ing to that my motives have been HlanoB from
the Start that he intmates L have been actuated
for almost year by sheer spirit OF revenget
that something tanspirng in certain divorce case"
embittered that have been spending all these
attempt square myself with the depart
ment We supposng all that is true, what Of 1T How
does that help Mr. Byrncs anyl Dcs that fact close up
any Of the gambling houses that he is allowing to runt
Supposing have dealing in French picturess and
that had all my pockets full OF them when into
the the specified occaslon-what OF l Doea
that fact Of the vile dens OF inamy In this
city which exist because Mr.. Byrnes and his department.
viciously negectfu Of their duty Supposing have
ayaed myself of members Of congregation, ayailed
myself Of all Of them, and put them the track Of
city officials, them studying up the unwhoesomo
record of who to-day in positions OF municipal
authority, and arranged with all my elders deacons ana
desconesses TO discover the facts 10 the domestic life
Of police commissioners police magistrates and police cap
tslns-what OF III How that help Mr.. Byrnesf In
what does the fact of such arrangement operate
TO neutraze that other OF the recognized existence
in his city Of institutions practice OF unnatural
vces Mr. Byrnes is trying shift the issue from his
shoulders TO mine. lie is In hard place, and he is
tired. He thinks that by showing the community what
doing, he will make the community forget what he
isn't doing IL Is shrewdy designed transparent
to prove SUCCESS lie appears TO be growing restless.
Three days ago. report is correct, said
not going TO say thing to the public about me as
least present. Three later reporters
together and tells them lot about Something muss
be troubling him.
To touch two three specific points In Mr..
Byrnes's letter: picture was In my pocket on the
morning Of the Andrea trial. which 1 planning
show the Jury in It seemed that would
effective than oral description When the time
Judged that evidence would do best and tho
picture withheld.
AS To aysling myself OF detectives Of
city oncals during the summer while l away,
that done and well done. 1t done in the
else Of distinct right which have, president
Of the Society for the Prevention Of Crime simply but IN
ma Il "a q "a too
long without watching city officials and that s
OF the difficulty suffering under to-day. II the
cxgency arrives again shall put detectives the trock
Of the officials again. And II think circumstances
such require it. shall put detective on Mr.. Byrncs
II he doing won't hurt him, and IL he in'r
doing right he ought not 10 object It does hurt him.
Mr.. Byrnes Is OF municipal servants an help
Ing Tny his salary. His opposition to having public
officials watched has a bad look have been shadowe6
OF and on for the nine months thought
It necessary, though, fly into print about It,
call the reporters together and give out sensational
teral for the pess There is element OF chidishness
petulance that Mr. Byrnes found
IT necessary 10 stOop 10. .
Touching the OF the divorce case and It's rela.
oas the work OF my society during the past year. Me
Byrnes says: His attack originated in a divorce case
about months ago. That statement Is totally and
unedecmably false to the last dot, 1t the
occasion OF my attack. IL not Incl.
dent OF my sttack. 1t had nothing TO do with it Ia
any way shape manner. Mr. Bynes continues: "Dy.
police officer testify to certain facts which he could noe
co.scientiousy and refused. d.. Parkhurss
showed his anger at that time" have not the slightest
recollection OF any such event. and far from the
fusal OF policeman peruIe himself exciting my anger,
it could only have excited my devout thanksgiving.
Mr.. Byrnes says: Il do believe Dr. Parkhrrst
is sincere in his talk" not going to attempt
prove my sincerity. what the public sentiment
Is that point. There many people in the
munty who question the wisdom of my methods but
dare say that the community does not question my SIM
cni4ty Mr.. Byrnes knows thot am sincere. and
he stands in any attitude " Unity 70 me- that Is the
reason OF IT,
There remains charge in Mr. Byrnes's Indictment
that 1 dismiss quite sumnarily. lie sys thas
have continued ~ make accusations without evidence"
The colossal mpudence OF that accusation is wolnigh
raraIyzDg Permit me to address halt dozen sel-
the Superintendent directly.
Mr. Byrnes: Are you familiar with the terms Of Sec
ton 2s2 OF the OF Consolidation Are you knowing
tho section makes obligatory
and your department make yourselves acquainted with
all places in che city where gambli.g Is carried on and
dsorerly houses maintained, and and
all unlawful disortery conduct practices therein;
enforce and prevent the violation Of all laws and
ordinances In force in said city
Now, Mr.. Byrnes, what have l and my society been
doing all these months from the time presented
those adavits from the pulpit Of church. but pilng
up community the proofs Of the persistent neg
OF your department discharge the duties the above
section makes obligatory upon you What Is the meaning 9
such society that for the prevention Of
crime the suppression Of vle" If 1t Is that the
police f just the point when their service ought
be rendered. Every disorderly house hat have
pulled that you ought 10 have pulled every gambling
house that we have frightened closing Its doors
you were the proper person to have
closed is a standing Indictment against and agan4;
the integrity and efficiency Of the police service.
You ought to be daily mortified at the vast amouns
of work upon these fat DONE and that ought
TO have done at have had no hand Ill., except TO
dl,credt those who have a hand in It, 1 have
IL stated within few days that you have said that Dr.
parkhurst has never been you To get helps
that YOU were In a condition TO render good deal u
assistance but that never seusht your assistance
,ouehG your assistance Why, Mr.. Bynes do you nos
know that IL Is criminal neglect OF department
which is the one thing hghung You can help
TO close brothe doubt but that is not what We arc
trying 10 do: we arc trying make it hot for you