New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-22
Gail BYRNES.

Tn unfinished statements which purport 10 re-
feet the views of members of the LeXow 'om-
mittee we have lately noticed several intiha'io"s
that they were reluctant to summon Supern
tondont Rvrnes TO the wtncssStand. lest the!
should find themselves unable Ito make much
an, of him" The suggestion is that the super
;,,en1ont * 4 very shrcwd man. who couldn't
Ina "cornered" We should not like 10 believe
that talk of this sort fairly porlrayS the com
mttee.s conception Of its duty and It's attitude
toward the public department which II HIS
been Investigating with great dilgchc'' ear
nestness and skill during the last Ten months
The committee appointed 10 ascertain ''''
truth about certain branches OF the m"ni''P'i
government and 10 report the fac's 10 inc 81"
ate with such recommendations as II hnsh' S''
fiji 70 make II is not conducting Il prosecution
but an inquiry 1t has disclosed a s'h'rai '"N"
ton and specific crimes which not only Warrant
but demand resoute action in the courts "''
that is not Il function If the committee US
prcscnt duty Is 10 investigate. II Is uhu'r no
obligation to put anybody in corner. II 'h'
facts corner any one. a. they nave aH'a"! '"'
ncrcd MANY, that result l. not reAlHa'i"h VI
any legitimate desire or motive. bui me h''"''''
necessary and useful consequence 81 fearless
and faithful search.
Dread Of an aniclimaN. whether lnSlir'u ~
vanity or bv ovcrsonsiivrnrsS ia crlO''Sh''
which really amounts 10 about the sam" 'hlns'
is no excuse for ncslccting To put Supcrih'ehh'n
Rvrnes on the stand. He * certainly coliip'-
ton, witness undoubtedly the most competent
witness living 1t is the plain and imperative
du,v of The committee To eXamin" nm th"r-
ouchly and vigorously for the purpose ot III
ducnr him voluntarily or Involuntary. 10 com
municotc his comprehensive and accurate KnoWl-
odge of tbe department which he commands.
~, ,,,nu,i,toe has no business and should have
no wish TO put him in corner. II he Sho"'u
mn, himself i'm a corner 1t would he the duty "f
,bo committee and It's counsel 10 utilize his dis
comG,ure merely for the sake Of elicltins the
whole truth. If 10 the undispued claims when
his expcrirncc. sagacity and talents for com
m,nd have established he is able 10 add the
nroof Of answering honesty there is not Il
reputable citizen Of New-l ofk WHO VIII ""' man
II with profound satisfaction.
But neither il that the province OF the com
mittce though it would be Il welcome conse-
ouence Of the committees labors. These Sen
ators were n,s commissioned either 10 condemn
or 70 vlndicate any individual, but TO inv"sti-
]
still remain hidden and which neth 10 p'
brought 10 light. In The pursuit OF them The
committee j. under an imperative Obhgati"i
10 employ every reasonable means Of exposure
The men who know only "A part have testih'u
in long succession. II is time to examine 'h'
men who know ALTO examine them without
trace of malice but without a suspicion or FAVOR
Mr. Golf has been compelled. In the course oil
this exploration. to treat recalctrant ana per
iured witnesses in a manner which would have
been abominably cruel TO honest men. ana
similar necessity may cOnsrain INN 10 adop
a similar course hereafter. II once or twice h'
has abused his power. great allowance must o'
made for the effect Of their incorrlgibility 6poi
his mind and temper. We do not believe ina
no and the committee have intended 10 MAKE
an understandable Use Of their authority; but We
confess 10 some solicitu1e lest they may D'
mislcd into giving ground for the abhorrcnt sns
picion that they are capable Of bctrayng theii
trust Such Il suspicion once aroused would De
hard TO allay and such Il suspicion would inevi
tably be suggested by failure 10 summon Tho
man who knows most about the subject iindci
| investigation
Put Superintendent Byrncs on The witness
I stand.