New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-26
THEY LOOK TO MR.. BYRNES.
CONFIDENCE IN HIS ABILITY.
MEMBERS OF THE FORCE THINK HE is
THE MAN TO REORGANIZE IT.

FAITH IN HIS INTEGRITY-To BE
WITNESS BEFORE THE LExow
COMMITTEE SUBPoENAs
FOR CAPTAINS
II was evident from the talk among policemen
yesterday that the testimony Of Superintendent
Byrnes before the Lexow Committee is being
looked forward to with great anxiety by many
members of the force. BY the rank and file Of the
department Mr.. Byrnes has been regarded as the
best executive officer who has held the reins Of
police power since the day of the famous Super
intendent Kennedy. The manner in which Mr.
Byrnes conducted the Detective Bureau before
he became superintendent won the confidence of
policemen In the precincts, and since he has been
superintendent their admiration for his ability
has been increased. Since Commissioners Martin
and Sheehan. Inspectors Williams, McAvoy and
Mclaughlin and score OF captains Of the force
not 10 speak OF many sergeants and eX-detectives
have been most seriously and crminally impli-
Gated by testimony before the committee the or
dinary policemen have been looking to Superin-
tendent Byrnes the who may be able
10 reorganize the force under new system.
Superintendent Byrnes." said one intelligent
member Of the force yesterday has been op-
posed by most OF the Commissioners Inspectors
and Captains ever since he was appointed to his
present office. The opposition has been secret as
a rule but the OF the force have understood
81 all along. and the public have been able to
q little Of il now and then. | believe that the
Superintendent is a clean man. and has not been
mixed UP in any of the corruption which has
nearly killed the department. Certainly the
ders of the, Superintendent, far the
know have been for the strict enforcement Of law
right along 1t is the general belief OF the men,
bers of the force that the Superintendent will be
the man to reorganiZe the department sound
foo.ing'
CONFIDENCE IN SUPERINTENDENT BYRNEs.
Other policemen expressed substantially the
same views. and none found ready to say
that the Superintendent was believed TO he impl-
Gated in the slightest degree in the corruption
which has been laid bare by the testimony before
the committee That the Superintendent. as
witness. may be compelled to imphcate further
come Of the officials of the department who are
already discredi;ei in the estimation Of the force.
as we'll in the mind of the general public is not
FOR moment doubted. 1t is believed that Super
lntendent Byrnes will be fearless witness even
although he may not relish telling some truths
about the conduct Of certain Commissioners and
subordinates in the department with whom he has
been long associated He will also be obliged to
bring to the notice Of the committee some impor-
lie, and they are expected to make strong case
against officials who have been opposed to the en-
forcemen, Of law in the city.
Superintendent Byrnes served yesterday
with a subpoena directing him TO produce before
the committee many records Of his office includ-
ing orders which he had given and reports which
he had received relative to the enforcement OF
law and the discipline of the force. There is
little doubt that the records will go far to cor
roborate the testimony Of Captain Schmittberger
against Commissioners Martin and Sheehan. In
spectors Williams and McAvoy. Captains Price
and Martens and other members Of the depart
ment.
SCHMITTBERGER TO BE SURRENDERED.
Captain Schmttberger In his home at
No. 115 East SiXty-first-st yesterday. and his
wife said he still too Ill to talk to newspaper
men. She had heard report that James H.
Bresn Of the Gilsey House. who was on the
CAPTAINS bond had sent word to the District
Attorneys Office that he wished to withdraw
from all responsibility in schmittbergers case
No message had been received from the District
attorney On the subject, however, and Mrs
Schrnittberger thought that there would be no
trouble In finding another bondsman since her
husband had received the pledge OF immunity as
q witness before the committee.
Mr. Breslin said he had sent his request 70 the
D.strict-Attorney on Monday afternoon. He had
acted solely his owr impulse. he said When
he consented to 20 on Schmittbergers bond, he
said he thought the captain was an hohoraoie
man. but he had use for a 'squealer
John Roster another OF the captain oohus-
men said he had not made up his nina 10 get
of the captains bond AT the Once OF id ,hd Ds he
learned as 10 the probable action in SchinitlDer-
gers case, but II is not at all unlikely 'hat ihe
Indictment against Schmittberger VIII be dis-
missed soon.
MR. GOFT-S BUSY CHRISTMAS
Senator Lexow was at his home in NyacK
sesterday enjoying his Christmas with his fam
fy. John ". Goff. counsel for the Lexow COM
mittee did not go to his Office but went 10
church with his family and then ate his dinner
in his home IN West One-hundred-a d-and-fourth-st.
He was busy there later examining some records
OF the police force in preparation for the eN-
animation Of Superintendent Byrnes anu o'nei
high police officials. He declined 10 teh tne IT. ar
porters who went TO see him whether the Supei-
intendent would be the first witness TO TESTIFY
before the committee to-day. When asked II the
examination Of police officials c9uld DE ii'iS"eu
befOr- the end OF the week he said:
The committee may not be able to give more
than three days OF this week TO open sessions.
% be taken after January ~ he was asked
"No" ne replied: I'VE have all we can 90 70 get
through with what We have In hand.
"Do YOU know Of the reported deal by "hich
Ex-senator Platt's influence may be used TO save
Commissioners Martin and Sheehan and IN.
epector Williams from being implicated further'
Il know nothing OF IT..
Mr. JEROME FEARS NO "DoAL.
W. Travers Jerome one Of Mr. GoHs ASSIST
ants. said he did not believe 1t was possioie 10
rave the Tammany Police Commissioners even
II deal had planned. as nobody wouio
have the power to protect them. They TAX 100
much" he said "and help to convict theih-
selves Mr. Martin made a statement ABOUT
Sadie West which practically corroborateo me me
testimony OF Captain Schmittberger about ms
being obliged TO send policeman 70 apoioss pae,. 81
10 the woman Mr. Sheehan produced copy OF
the letter which he had sent 10 the captain 10