New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-12-20
CAPT. O'CONNOR ESCAPES
POLICE COMMISSIONERS HAVE A HOT DIS
CUSSION on HIS CASE.
,s,,prRINTENDENT BYRNES MAKES REPORT
on THE CONDUCT OF THE "TENDCRL0lN"
PRECINCT AND THREE OF THE FOUR
HEADS OF THE DEPARTMENT
WILL SUSTAIN HIM.

HEADS OF INE Dl.fAhlMr.NA
WILL SUSTAIN HIN.
Police Captain Richard OConnor, lately IN
command of the "Tenderoin" Precinct. but at
nresent stationed in Church-str Will not be placed
on trial before the Commissioners on charges of
naoIect Of duty tomorrow. Three of the Com
rnissioners Yesterday voted against having him
undergo such an ordeal after they had listened
To a long report which was submitted By Super
intendent Byrnes. and after they had carried
an AN argument WITH Commissioner MacLean,
who wanted OConnor to be tried. The argu-
noent was heated at time, and President
Martin looked savagey at Mr.. MacLean, while
he uttered words that sounded almost like
challenge
The report Of the Superintendent began with
the statement that in compliance with the
Boards resolution Of December 10 he had eX-
amined the returns of arrests in the Nineteenth
Precinct from a m. 9th to a. m loth nst''
and found that in that time Captain Schmu-
berger had made raids on twenty-one aHeged
disorderly houses and arrested as many per
sons charged with being keepers Thereon. together
with sixty persons who were inmates OF the
houses at the time of the raids. He also had eX-
amined the desk blotters and the returns OF ar
rests in the Nineteenth Precinct from a. n1''
,Oc,oher . 1892 to s a. m. December G. 1S93 and
IN command Of that precinct. had made raids on
n,nety-three disorderly houses and arrested as
many persons charged with being keepers there
~ together with 3oS persons who were inmates
=, those houses at the time of the raids.
The Superintendent had directed the two cap
it.,ns TO report to him in writing what conversa-
tion they had on December o. when Schmit'-
berger took command Of the Nineteenth Pre-
c,nct relative to dsorderly houses, gambhng
houses and other disreputable places.
Continuing his report, Mr.. Byrnes said that
of the sixteen places closed by Schmit'perseI'
and not previously closed by OConnor, twelve
were fats in apartment houses. some OF them
On the second, third, fourth and fifth hoors'
rxp OF THE sUPERINTENDENT's REPORT.
The Superintendent also had talked Win 'he
policemen who had obtained evidence asaiiis'
the places previous to the raids his report
closed with the appended statements
einct. which | have examined In compiance, WIN o
the resolution adopted by y0Tr hqn1Fa9e any of tS
keepers Of D Tas made by
10 s a. m the 18th inst were IN tne pe.iou 7Vo3 -"
% Se0sHI With acts M in no s Of
the Penal Code and while these returns go SnGw
ssas ssaser nTs from Ga sne m Dsce
Ssc ,ss5 Is ~ were IN M 'hf pepeeSer !' aded and
ttSIsir Keepers charged with using such premises &
Of hss ss aso shO% that S result
of such that they were raiaea onnor a,,I
keepers pDhaas and M h. Command Who. under his
directions, procured the necessary eViuence "s"'''
the ether sixteen snS ssf nd
been under during the latter pa part b9 of
Gsp'a1 1aas made BY Captain schmitberger were
made on evidence obtained BY, patroImeda |no.
~recnet We're directed BY him to continue on IN
the work they had begun under MS a.
the result Of the examnaton and inqpEy wv whiSs Ss
nonor on with IL the matter in question which your
honorable board NAV deem proper 10 give me
COMMISSIONERS BEGIN DISCUSSION.
When the clerk had finished the reading Of
Che report, President Martin asked what was
the pleasure of the Commissioners concerning
H. and every man in the room looked at COM
missioner MacLean. who leaned back In his
chair. and said slowly;
"I move that the superintendent be directed
10 comply with the terms OF the resolution OF
Friday, December Is. He was not asKeo u
make a defence Of Captain OCcnnor"
Have you any information to show that Cap
@ain O,Connor was guilty of neglect Of duty?"
nfr. Martin asked.
'If had | would not give 1t at this time
Gr. MacLean replied.
"Win you give such Information at any time!
81 will not answer that question now.
Commissioner McClave inquired II the Superln-
tendent had not in fact complied with the terms
of the resolution. and Mr.. MacLean said that the
Superintendent might not have understood the
resolution There was some discussion apOut
the meaning Of 1t, and Mr.. MacLean had the
resolution reaa o.
"Now." Mr. MacLean continued. ut appears
that the Superintendent has not made the IN
aury demanded in the resolution, but mas haue
u defence for OConnor.
Mr.. Martin said: II voted against the reso-
luton because l did not believe that Captain
O'Connor had been guilty OF neglect OF du,y.
I do not think now that he has neglected his
duty. or has received money from disorderly
houses. Therefore l asked If the COMMISSIONER
had any evidence to show such neglect.
Mr. MacLean smiled as he remarked: Ihis ls
the first mention Of money In this case;
"But it has been charged in the public press
and the public has been led to believe that
money was received" Mr.. Martin said hotiy.
II am not worrying about what Is SAID IN the
public press" was the sarcastic rejoinder
Mr.. MARTIN BECOMES ANGRY
Mr.. Martins face flushed with anger. and he
fairly glared at Mr. MacLean as he said' eh"-
phatically
"you are worrying about 1t just as much as
anybody here is worrying about IL, anu io' Ju'l
as much reason. certainly as much as l am
shall not vote to place Captain " No''no' o''
trial unless know that somebody Is "iii'iie ~
show that he has been guilty OF some'hi''s
1T appears that the Supcrintendeh' mas O."
swered the resolution, and by faiiihs ~ '''''"
charges he has declared that Captain OConnor
has not been guilty Of neglect Of duty, salo
Commissioner Sheehan. 49,, o
Mr.. McClave reviewed the superintendent H. |
port at some length and SAID ne thou5n' as @
SUPERINTENDENT was truthful man. ne was
not willing to vote TO place Captain " Connot
on trial, he said unless It could be shown una, .na'
stvafr
'Jn that case" said Mr.. Martin, 'both tne
captain and the Superintendent must be piace'
on trial. -, NJ
That is raising another question, saio M
Man directed the SupeIlI-