The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-01-01
IN A STATE OF TURMOIL
The New York Police Depart
THE LExOW EXPOSURES
Supt. Byrnes' Resignation The Topic
OF Discussion. He Declines
to Talk. May be at the
Head of the Reorgan-
lied Department.
by Southern Associated Press.

New York, December 3l.--The
one topic of discussion at
police headquarters to dny aud
IN police circles generally, was
Superintendent Byrnes' action
in placing his application for
retirement from the force in the
hands Of Mayor. elect Siroug. Mr..
Byrnes' announcement of the Police
Board and the charges that he was
hampered i'll the performance OF his
duties by the commissioners, also
caused considerable talk. Every.
body is wondering now what will
be the outcome OF the present state
of affairs in this department.
lie declined to say whether or
not, as Is understood. his letter to
the Mayor contained formal ap-
plication for retirement to the Po.
lice Board, to be forwarded to TINT
body or not, us MIR. Strong pleases.
The Superintendent came down to
his Office at the usual hour TODAY.
He received during the forenoon
many callers who came to extend
their good wishes, and all expressed
the hope that he would continue to
he the uporlntendent of the force
when 1t Is reorgauized.
Among those who cnlle6 were Col.
Murphy and ex Captain Greer, un
der whom Mr.. Byrnes performed
his first duty as patrolman IN 1S6i.
Capt. Greer WAS retired IN 1870. He
snid he wanted to see Mr.. Bvrnes
continued ut the head of the do
pnrtment. The Superintendent was
asked whether he had anything
more to soy concerning his letter to
the Mayor elect and his reasons for
Wishing to retire. He would not
further discuss the matter. He
stated:
II have said all concerning this
matter that intend to say for the
present. My letter is IN MIR.
otroDg's hands aud | have given my
reasons for the action have taken.
Nhen the proper time comes | may
have something more to add to W Int
L Lave already stated, but for the
present | have nothing more to
say"
In police circles the universal
- Soo'ou 10 thnt Ahi. bN tUes VIII
be Mt the head Of the reorganized
police force.
The question has been raised as
to whether or not the police board
would retire MIR. Byrnes in the
event that Mayor elect Strong
should decide to forward his eppli.
cation to the commissioners, Ibe
board has refused to retire able
bodied officers. Under the twenty
year law Mr.. Byrnes Is entitled to a
pension of $4,000 per annum. 1T is
believed there will be no change in
the heads OF .he department until
May lst. Meme of the Inspectors
who were at headquarters this morn
ing cared to discuss the step taken
by then chief.
lhe department at present is in a
state OF turmoil over the eXposures
before the Lexow committee aud
me sensation caused by Mr.. Byrnes'
offer to retire.
Charles Stewart Smith. chairman
OF tue Committee on Municipal Re
form Of the Chamber OF Commerce.
viii report ut u meeting of that bo6 v
on January ju, making specific
charges ognlnst several city deuart.
meats. ana Will present resolution
asking for Legislative Investigation.
lie chamber wants uli the cily de
parimenls To have an examination
similar to that which the Police De
nartment was subjected by the
LeAow Committee. The plan is to
continue the Lexow Committee with
mn power to look into the other
city departments, and TO have them
submit their report to the Leeisla
'ute, VINO Will, II III hoped, inaugu
rate the necessary reforms.