The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-12-30
Made His SS5O,OOO Mainly Through the
GOuldS' Assistance.
RESIGNED TO HAYOR.ELECT STRONG.
He Could Not Detect Corruption In the Po-
lice Force Because He Was Hsmpered
by the Board-Ciosing Speeches.

rendered his resignation from the police
force. The announcement came a the
conclusion Of a series of questions by Mr..
Gon as 10 disagreement between Mr..
Byrres and the Police EOard. Mr.. Con
asked:
Have there been any occasions in
W,dch any of the Police Commissioners
interfcred with you regarding your orders
10 the captains in the election Of 1872
There was a serious difference OF Opin-
len"
The witness said tnat President Martin
came TO TIE meeting of the captains and
made 4 speech 10 the men regarding their
election duties, did not ike what he
said. as / thought had explained myself
sufficiently. He spoke in regard 10 the
Federal officers"
IF Mr.. Martin said you invited him to
the meeting would he say what was
tIuo?'
"He would say what was true"
"Can you tell us why the police re-
mained passive in the elections OF 1S93?'
q believe something of the kind was
brought before the board but | don't
know what was done"
You found you could enforce order
without tho use Of clubs?'
yes, sir"
and can policemen enforce order with
out the use of clubs?'
They can, sir"
"Do you say the Police Department at
the present time is in a good or bad con-
dition?"
1T is in 4 bad condition.
Al WAR WITH THE BOARD.
"And can you, as superintendent effect
any charge for the better at present.
"No, sir; if man was not a strong
man as a superintendent his Office would
be a nOnentity."
and if he Is a strong man he is con-
stantly fighting ,sith the Doard?'
That's my case"
The Superintendent. then said that the
Superintendent of Police should have
charge Of the disciplinng of the police
did you knowingly oppose DR. Park
hurst when he was trying to suppress dis
orderly houses in the Eleventh precinct? ?'
II never opposed anybody trying tp sup
press diSordcrly houses
Mr.. Goff then a-ked the Superintendent
how it was that the live special officers
he had sent TO the Eleventh precinct tu
got evidence against diSOrderly houses
did not report q sirgle house, while the
agents of Dr. Parkhurst secured evidence
which convicted five keepcra of disorder
ly houses. lie asked the Superintendent
If that did not show inehciency on his
part
YES, m that case" ne replied.
"Cntl legislative remedies come TO the
poice department, the present condition
IS dcplorablc.'
"It is. sir"
Superintendent ByWs then made this
startling statement.
Of teel assured" said IA. that the com.
mlssioners wanted co fc, rid Of me- and
l wanted 10 "etire; but i refrained. from
sense of duty 10 the citizens Of New
York. The views oi the commissioners
do not agree wlL mine Whatever m,
iucoming Mayof and authoritics want "a
DO, / viii uoT interfere with them.
have been thifty-tWo years iu the depart.
mcut, and am willing 10 retire.
BYBNEs' LETTER or RESIGNATION.
The Superintendent then handed Mr.
Con a letter which Ee had sent 10 Mayor.
elect Strong on December l3. 1891. 1t ran
as follows:
Dear Sir appreciate a. fully as any
man can the tremendous responsibilities
that VIII como upon you when YOU as.
sumo the duties of Mayor and undertake
the reform of The various departments
of the city government. / desire not TO
be an embarrassment in anything you
propose to do with the police department.
On the contrary. | wish TO aid YOU IN
any way that / can. ! assume You are
now considering what action Eou
are going TO take IS 10 thC outset Of your
administration, and what legislation vii
be required to make such action practica
Bile. l therefore now place in your hands
my request 10 be retired from the post
OF Superint andent. to be used py you on
not. any time after the first of January
as you see fit.
Let me further say that YOU may be
entirely free 10 command my services,
advice and information at any, time in
regard to the affairs OF the police depart.
ment. with which / have been 80 long
connected.
Your obcdent servant,
THOMAS BNRNES
The reading Of the letter caused a seu-
satiou in court. Tie biz Supcr.utcndcn, ,
sat back in his chair smiltnsly. "a Mr.
Goff read his letter OF resignation. There
was another long discussion as 10 the
police force. the Superintendent giving /
as his opinion that it was necessary 10
reorganize 1t.
This closed the story of the Superin-
tendent. and the hearing Of the LeA0W
Committee was practically at an end
THE GouL1's MADE HIN EIcH.
Preceding this sensational climax, Nr.
Byrnes underwent searching eNaulnd-
tiou aS TO how much he Is worth ana now
ne acquired his fortune. lie admitted
that he is now worth in real estate ana
personaI property $4,000 all excepting
few thousand dollars. acquired ia stock
spocuiations conducted hS his friends.
Jaw Gould had made $2Jo"p ,0r him, and
since Jay Goulds death his son George
had added 5000 10 EyGacs' wealth. lie
started from a small beginning. from nus
savings ana Il small inheritance. Wander
bilt haa invested $21W Tor Byrncs and
returned S6.N1
Ryrues had gained jay Goulds Eood
will 10y Kidding him of a writer ot threat
onnE letters. Mr. Gould rendered BNrncs
q gift of money which WAS decilncd'
Shortly afterwards Mr.. Gould offered 10
buy stocks and hold them for Eyine'
aud Byrnc> save Gould $1,000 To invest.
Thenccforth Byrnes' wealth grew con-
stantly ~ long as he did not himself ucd-
die In business. He said that when ne un-
deriook 10 dabble in stocks upon MS own
judgment ho lost money. He is at present
IL large holder of shares. The GouIdS'
however we're not the only people VINO
had befrended him, but Mr.. Byrnes de-
clined 10 name any others lie sald's
II had opportunities as superintendent
of Police for earning the gratitude oi
men who could give me valuable ihiorih"-
ilon on stocks
lis ii not strange where you Simply per
formed your duty as police oinciai' sum
results should ioio"
no, sir "
KIND WORDS FOR PARKHURsT