New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-09-27
BYRNES TAKES A NEW STAND
HE GIVES ORDERS IN DEFIANCE OF THE
49, BOARDS REVOLUTION.
POLICEMEN MUST ENFORCE THE EAClsH LA"
AND MUST WEAR PLAIN CLOTHES IF Me-
EssARY-PRoBABILITY THAT THE
COMMISSIONERS WILL NOT
OPPOSE HIM.

Police Superintendent Byrnes has set ABOUT GU"
forcing the Excise law in this city IN deha"ce u e."
resolution by the Police Board. in MS Eece"'
port 10 the Commissioners he told them '"a' "
tectives who had been watching the liquor s'oi''
had discovered over 5000 violations OF inc ''No'9
law within three months, and that the ID" 80
not be enforced by policemen in uniform ne "'M
the Commissioners to rescind the OBNOXIOUS feso'"
.or b,ch forbade policemen in plain clothes 10 get
evidence The Commissioners failed to act on MS
recommendation. On Monday the Superlh'e"''
called the inspectors and captains pelore NM a.
gave orders TO make raids on all OF 'ie "4UV
storer In which liGuor was sold AFTER d. H. ~,
day He cautioned them not 10 give warning OF MS
orders in advance and told them TO send men III
plain clothes to get evidence before MAKING inv ar
rests He also gave orders TO the Ceh""' O
detectives t. get evidence against lauor stores III
several Of the precincts without the knowledge OF
the captains.
MANY ARRESTS MADE.
The result was unusual activity by the ponce III
many OF the precincts at a m. yesterday Inc re-
turns received at the Central Office yesterday
showed that seventyn nine arrests FOR Violation OF 'e
Excise law made In the early morning i'ou'
The prisoners arraigned In the police courts anu
were held In bail TO await action by the Grand july!
Through the liquor stores yesterday the word was
passed that the police would enforce the ia" i'''
. after and that the stores would haVe 10 pe NeP'
closed on Sunday and between the hours OF a. H.
and a. m. on other days
arrested
On Tuesday and yesterday also by order OF inc
Superintendent who had called their attention 10 'he
recent assaults made by beggars In the streets. III
the Eleventh Precinc; alone 1O3 Migrants were ar
rested,
THE SUPERINTENDENT EXPLAINS
The sudden activity Of the police in the enforce
ment Of the Excise law caused stir at the Cen'ra
ONCE yesterday. and the officials there wohue.eu
what would happen when Commissioners MARI"
from Democratic
Convention. Superintendent Byrnes, in answer - ="
inquiries. explained his action as follows
Board Of Police has paid no attention TO my reG i
sequences ] am determined that the law shall De
tons observed by my mem now feel il incumbent
upon me to take such steps as win result ben rs s
looms should be closed I have given orders 70
dence against the saioon-keepers in their districts
zens dress for the purpose. have taken th's c''o"
upon my own responsibility
SOME COMMENTS ON THE ACTION
Police Commissioner Kerwin. when ne was asKed
If the superintendent action would be considereo
a defiance of the Police Board said: 81 do not thnK
that there need be any friction between the super
intendent and the Commissioners to the enforce
the Conc. .ssoners to stand by the Supernt endent
in strict and impartial enforcement Of the law
that it was the duty Of the Superintendent. as the
executive head of the police force to enforce 'ne
law
Even in defiance of resolution by the Police
Board?" the Commissioner was asked.
Il not a member Of the Police Board WheH
that resolution was passed. he replied; ana -, Ol
course / >arnor say wha, the intention Of The
resolution. 1t is plain 20 me that the EXCISE Jaw
cannot be enforced in this city by policemen IN uni
form. The police should not tempt people TO break
the law II. order to make arrests They should hot
fail 10 gee the proper evidence however, when they
have reason to know that the law is being violated
What Is wanted is a proper enforcement OF .-.e law
The Rev. DR.. Parkhurst said al meeting ID
West Thirty-ninth-st. Monday evening"
IF Superintendent Byrnes would step 10 me FROM,
and say he trying enforce the law. and II
the Commissioners stood in the way he was going
10 publish the fact 10 the community. and II the
community thought he meant what ne SAD. the re-
spouse would be thrilling. But If he does not 90
that pretty sOon he will have lost his opnor
Last evening DR. Parkhursi said: The course
which Superin. sndent Byrnes has now adopted IS
the only consistent course for him TO take am not
saving that the Excise laws just what they ought
70 be- but While they are or the statute books it is
the duty Of the police TO enforce them.
John " GoT Of counsel for the Lexow Com
mittee said: II am glad that Mr.. Byrnes has taken
cnch stand and | think his action Will be APP
pauded 1t is not to be thought Of that the Police
Eoard will try discipline him for disobeying a
resolution which they ought to have rescinded Be
Sides the two Republican Commissioners Will doubt
less stand BY him in the enforcement OF the law.