The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-01-03
DR.. rA.knunsr NOE SATISFIED.

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The New York legislature met yes
teisiay. The Lexow conlplittee, which
for months past has been engaged In
investigating the police department of
New York city. completed its labors
last Saturday. and will now prepare
It's report and submit It to the legssla-
tnre. Attorney Golf. who as prosecutor
has conducted the investigation before
the COMMITTEES has taken office as
recorder OF New York The investiga-
ton is for the present. at least, termi-
mated 1t has disclosed state OF af-
fairs which. but for the conclusive evil
dence brought before the committee,
would have been spurned as incredible
by vast majority of the people OF the
city. state and country.
In the disclosures men high In ONCE
have been implicated. two OF the police
commissioners and the inspector have
been shown as having direct con-
nection with and knowledge of
the system of blackniail and ex-
tortion that has prevailed through
out the department. Some of the
proceeds Of these larcenies have
been traced directly into their hands.
They stand pilioried and in peril of in
dictment by a grand jury. One police
captain has been tried and convicted.
Two have turned infornler and saved
themselves. Other officers are to be
prosecuted, and an extra court has
been provided for that purpose.
The chief executive officer, Superin-
sendent Byrnes. occupies a peculiar no.
sitton with respect to the committee,
the investigation and the TESTIMONY.
He has not escaped slight smirching.
but 1t has not been shown that he
shared in the proceeds or has been
aware OF the crimes committed under
his eyes and by officers within his d.
rect supervision. As to Mr. Ryrnes.
thus far the Scotch verdict mot
proven" has been rendered. There is
complaint that investigation OF the SUI
perlntendeat's possible connection with
the rottenness OF the department has
been purDosely discouraged and de-
slayed: that testimony leading up 10
him has been suppressed 1t certainly
has an ugly look. and the average man
will fad II difficult to comprehend how
an organized system Of hiackrnail could
exist and he effective without hts
knowledge. taeit permission or direct
connieance
&a ri
be allowed 10 rest with the investlgs-
ton Just ended. DIR. parkhurss i'm n
communication published In this pa
per yesterday. gives voice 20 a senti-
rnent which certainly exists In the
minds OF these who have read the testi-
uony brought cut by the committee.
While not charging or intimaflng that
the committee willeugy or corrunaIv
shielded the superintendent, DR.. Park
hurst s:sslntains that by accepting his
proffered aid in procuring Testimony.
they put themselves practically under
obligations 20 protect him. ard in 6,
doing made n serious mistake. The Pub
lie will agree with the society In it's
statement that presumpslons are
against the superintendent. 'wher-
ever, they say. ''they--the I.exow COM
nsttee~-haye stuck TO their work the,
have found roe, aud whether Ryrnes Il
rotten or not he has aeen In rot for
tissssy-ssie years. ard has been the ex-
ecusive head 81 70. for the last two
wars
The superintendent has rendered his
resignation 80 the rev mayor and v3th
IL an offer ~ his serx Ices In Tyssrgan-
ixIaS tire police force. There viii ~
10 osiectlon GA the part ~ the Society
for the Prevention os Crime mr. she
Coed Government Ssclcty To tAs ae-
cersance OF the ressgnatian Il VIII Dc
wsssxynsc. But II Is evident that bah
Of those societies hare little confidence
IN the integrity ~ Superintendent;
Ryrres. and viii seriously oniect 10 his
assistance IN rntsee esc~ga naxatsan. II
Is. nscwxoves.. probable that the ersl ~
the inquest sH<e pcisce MASTERS has gsos
teen reached BY the adjournment os
the I~exaT Committee. An effort Is "a
he Fssasi@ for fFs Continuance under leg
ssaAfsve authority. as Aercsofcre. Il d
also apEsreet that the exE-saares rsaxse
have served ~ awaken saseres. in
ether dep~S .ssseass OF tAe u1alrzpa.