Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-12-30
SUPERINTENDENT BYRHES RESIGNS,
Ne Tells How Gould and Vanderbilt Made
Fortune for Him-Mr. Gons
Farewell.

Win you ic6oitAbS yNea
to the captains in the election Of 1897?
There was serious difference OF opin-
ion."
The witness said that President Martin
came to a meeting Of the captains and
made speech to the men regarding their
election duties. II did not like what he
said, as thought / had explained myself
sufficiently. He spoke in regard to the
Federal Offices"
IF Mr.. Martin said you invited him
to the meeting, would he say what was
true?'
HE would say what was true"
"Can you tell US why the police re-
manned passive In the elections Of 1882
II believe something Of the kind was
brought before the board. but l don't
know what was done"
ORDER WITHOUT CLUBS.
"You found you could enforce order
without the use OF clubsY'
Eyes, SIR
"And policemen can enforce order with
out the use of clubs?'
They can, sir"
do you say the Polio. Department at
the present time is In good or bad con-
dition?'
at is in bad condition"
"And can you, as superintendent. effect
any change for the better at present.
mo, sir. II man was not strong
man as superintendent, his office would be
a nonentity."
"And IL he Is a strong man, he Is con-
stantly fighting with the boardT
That's my case"
The Superintendent then said the Super
intendent of Police should have charge
Of the dsciplining Of the police.
did you knowingly oppose DR.. Park
hurst when he was trying to suppress
disorderly houses in the Eleventh Pre-
cinct?"
II never opposed anybody trying to sup
press dsorderly houses"
Mr.. Golf then asked the Superintendent
how 1t was that the five special officers
he had sent to the Eleventh Precinct
TO get evidence against disorderly houses
did not report a single house, while the
agents of DR.. Parkhurst secured evidence
which convicted five keepers OF disorderly
houses He asked the Superintendent II
that did not show inefficiency on his part.
YES In that case" he replied
Until legislative remedies come to the
Police Department, its present condition
is deplorable?"
1T is. SIR"
BYRNES'S RESIGNATION.
Superintendent Byrnes then made his
startling statement. II feel assured
said he, that the commissioners wanted
TO get rid Of me, and l wanted TO retire,
but l refraned, from a sense of duty
to the citizens of New York. The views
Of the commissioners do not agree with
mine. Whatever the incoming Mayor ana
other authorities want to do, / will not
interfere with them. 1 have been thirty
two years in the department, and am
willing to retire"
The Superintendent then handed Mr.
Golf a letter which he had sent 10 Mayor
elect Strong on December 10. 1894. 1t ran
as follows:
Dear Sir: 1 appreciate as fully as any
man can the tremendous responsibilities
that will come upon you when you as
sumo the duties OF Mayor and undertake
the reform of the various departments
of the city government l desire not 10
be an embarrassment In anything you
propose TO do with the Police Depart
ment. On the contrary, i wish to ala
YOU in any way that / can. assume
you are now considering what action you
are going to take at the outset OF your
administration, and what Legislation VIII
be required to make such action pracu-
cable. l. therefore, now place In your
hands my request to be retired from the
post of Superintendent, to be used by
you or not any time after the hisI u
January, as you see nj.
LET me further say that you may be
entirely free to command my services.
advice, and information at any time In
regard to the affairs of the Police De-
nartment. with which have been so long
connected.
.'Your obedlent servant.
"THOMAS BYRNES."
The reading of the letter caused a SEN
sation In court.
The big Superintendent sat back In his
chair smilingly as Mr.. Golf read his let
ter of resignation.
Then there was another long discussion
as to the police force. the Superintendent
giving il as his opinion that 1t was nee
esary to reorganize 1t. This closed the
story of the Superintendent. and the
hearing Of the Lexow Committee was
practically at an end.
BYRNESS FORTUNE.
Preceding his sensational climax, Mr..
Byrnes underwent searching examina-
ton as to how much he Is worth and
how he acquired his fortune. He ad-
mltted that he Is now worth in real
estate and personal property $4,000. all.
excepting a few thousand dollars. ac-
quired in stock speculat'ons conducted
by his friends Jay Gould had made
$3.50. 900 for him. and since Jay Gould's
death his son George had added SS,VVO
to ByrneS's wealth. he started from a
small beginning. and from his savings
tnH Vanderbilt had
invested 5000 for Byrnes and returned
5000.
Byrnes had gained Jay Gould's good
will by Kidding him Of writer OF threat
ening letters. Gould rendered Byrnes a
gift OF money, which was declined.
Shortly afterwards Gould offered to buy
stocks and hold them for Byrnes. and
Byrnes gave Gould $4,000 to invest.
Thenceforward Byrness wealth grew
constantly, as long as he did not himself
NEEDLE in the business. He said that
when he undertook to dabble in stocks
upon his own Judgment he lost money.
He is at present large holder OF shares.
The Goulds, however were not the only
people who had befriended him. but
Byrnes declined to name any others.
OPPORTUNITIES.
He said: 81 had opportunities as Super
intendent of Police for earning the graft
tude Of men who could give me valuable
information on stocks"
lis II not strange that. where you sim
ply performed your duty as a police
official. such remarkable results should
follow?'
"No, SIR"
Questioned as to DR.. Parkhurst. Byrnes
said: II have nothing but friendly feel
ings for DR.. Parkhurst and his society.
although he has bounded me In every
possible way. Dr. Parkhurst has created
81 public spirit In the city. without which
the existing reforms could not have been
effected"
lis 1t fact that but for the efforts Of
DIR. Parkhurst and the committee the cor
ruption would have still existed?"
~ could not have stayed it,
Had you sufficient power?"
mo. sir"
The Superintendent said he could not
detail men without the consent Of the
commissioners.
MCLAUGHLIN AND RYAN.
Inspector Mclaughlin was also exam
ined as TO his gains From his adInis-
sions. Mr.. Goff figured out that McLaugh-
lin IL worth sl2S.0o0 but Mclaughlin dis
puted the correctness Of this conclusion.
making the amount 100000. Mclaughlin
stated that he had made $4,000 out OF a
patenf which le had t,tfrcha sed Jointly