New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-07-17

n good man. / know him personally, ana ieeI
administration of the affairs OF tho department
We will endeavor to do what should be done 10
make the department efficient
THE NEW COMMISSIONERS CAREER.
GENERAL KERwIN's BRILLIANT WAR RECORD
SUCCESS AS INTERNAL REVENUE COLLECTOR.
The new Police Commissioner is a soldier. who
made a DISTINGUISHED record during the civil war,
and who by his bravery and military SIKH rose
from private 10 the rank Of Brigader-Generai.
General Kerwin Is tall. handsome man. OF dig
nifed and commanding appearance. looking every
inch the soldier The marked individuality Of the
man is shown IN his clean-shaven face. chseled
in lines of nrmness. bright and deep-searchng eyes
OF gray Roman nose strong chin and mouth. re-
voaling his tender and sympathetic qualities.
In politics General KerVin has always been q
stanch and uncompromisng Republican. lie has
been a powerful factor in reorsanizing and build
ing UP the party in this county. He had long been
impressed with the urgent necessity Of thorough
reform in local Republican politics. The exciu-
siva policy OF the old machine leaders. who had
run the various district organizations as l'tle pr-
vate cotories IN the interest Of individuals ana not
OF the party always had in General Kerwin de-
termined opponent. He has been and IS strong
advocate OF removing all needless and vcxa,ious
obstacles In the way Of those honestly desiring TO
enter the Republican ranks. The wisdom OF THIS
policy is strikingy illustrated In the case 81 his
own district, the XXVIIIth. where hundreds OF
former Democrats now within the Republican
fold and among the most active and jealous work
ers IN the party lie has almost completely wreste1
tho XXVIIlth long n stronghold Of the enemy.
from the Democratic grasp and In the special "lec
tion last January made possible IN" success OF II
Republican candidate for Congressman In the per
son Of Lemuel Ely Quigg. In the Anti-Machine
movement which has effected radical reform
in local Republican politics and given New-fork
for the first time in years an honest. Ngilant
thoroughly progressive and aggressive Republican
organization. General Kerwln has been a strong
factor His was the first OF the regular district
organizations TO Join the movement. ana the
XXVIIIth may be relied upon 10 give a good ac-
coun, OF Itself at the next election.
Though General K1rwn has been for a quarter OF
a century an active worker In the Republican cause
1t was not until the Presidential campaign OF 1881
that his brillian. qualities as political worker ana
organizer won general recognition. His strong APP
peals published in the columns OF The Tablet and
addressed particularly 10 Irish-AmTicah
Democrats won thousands Of converts to Repub-
icanisn. It In no small degree through his ef-
forts that what had been known az the solid
.Irsh- Democratic vote" whose existence was re-
proach TO the intelligence OF the American peo
pie was broken up for good. This gratifying result
was hailed by all patriotic Americans az one OF the
most important political developments since the war
General Kerwin performed IN that campaign. both
as a Journalist and an organizer than James q
Blaine himself. who gave many evidences OF his
great regard for the General. In every political
campaign since lsS4-municpal. State and National
General Kcrwln has been active and aggressive
worker giving freely his time. labor and money In
furthering the interests of the Republican party
Michael Kerwin born In County Wexford. Ire
land. on August 10. 1881 At an early age he was
brought 10 America by his parents. who settled In
Philadelphia. There he educated and grew up
to manhood In his youth he learned the business
OF photographic printing and among his fellows was
noted for his studious habits;
Long before young Kerwn had reached mans
estate his military proclivities began to assert them
selves He was a member for several years OF a
knowledge OF military organization and duties
Three days after President Lncolns call for troops.
y o as private in the 2iih Regiment.
which formed a portion of General Patterson's
Very outset Of his military career his GOODNESS and
daring were signaily atssted IT was known that
side of the Potomac. but II was OF Importance 10
the Union leader to ascertain WIN some degree OF
rebel troops For this highly perilous duty Private
fully realizing that detection by the enemy meant
death. Nothing daunted however, he assumed the
through the enemys camp which he found near
Martinsburg. and after making an estimate Of the
tons. returned and reported to General Nesley,
then in command Of the brigade TO which he be-
Ionged. In September OF the same year. after hav-
ing been discharged at the expiration OF his first
term he was commissioned captain In the 18th
cavalry In the following July he raised TO
the rank OF major. In June. 1853 while Milroys
being hard pressed by Lees Army. 1ajor Kerwin
did good service in checking the advance OF the
enemy. After leaving the valley the 18th was at
fached 10 the Army OF the Potomac. and Major
KerwIn was made colonel and took command OF the
reciment on October IL Colonel Kerwin signal
dstincion by the part he took In checkmatinR Lees
win with his own regiment In conjunction with the
an cavalry combated the head Of Ewelis col
umns for six long hours. thus giving time for
Meade 10 recross the RappahsnnOck and get his
army into position TO Illustrate the bold design OF
The rebel General. Kerwin's gallant stand. Of
course involved the sacrifice Of many men. but the
fnfV1 Is, Colonei fcrwin led his forces under Gen
eral sheridan In the latters operations Win the
Army OF the Potomac. ~
II is worthy OF mention that Colonel kerTin had
ionc been fired with a secret ambition 10 restore
10 liberty the many thousands OF Union soldiers
who were eating out their hearts and being slowly
tortured 10 death In LIBBY Prison ms iondly
Cherished desire was famed into fever heat during
the In front OF Petersburg. Previous TO
the firing of the mine. when Grant hoped 10 make
a breach In the ensmy's works sufficiently wide TO
admit his troops and capture the city. n diversion
was made on the north side OF the James River.
with view 10 drawing OF the eneIny's Forces from
the intrenchmelts around Peter1ourg The % and
part OF the 9Th Corps commanded by Generals Han
cock and Birney. together with the cavalry, Were
detailed to make this feint The enemy was en-
road leading 10 Richmond, and In the first engage
ment General J. Irving Gregg commanding the
brigade In which Kerwin's regiment served. was
wounded, and Kerwn. being the ranking officer. was
to furnish long desired opportunity to crafty his
cherished ambition TO attack Richmond and release
ths nrisoners there confined. lie formed his brigade