New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-28
PLATT AND BYRNES.

WHY THE LATTER Is SAID TO BE DISAPPOINTED
OVER THE SUPPRESSION OF THE SUPPLE
MENTARY GREATER NETWORK BILLS.
The failure Of the bill advocated by majority az
the Board OF Police Commissioners for clipping the
wings OF the Chief o. Police and transferring the
powers Of assignment appointment, etc. vested In
him by law to the Police Board IL the basis OF
story which being told yesterday and which
had It's origin in the alleged compact made In the
campaign OF 1894 between Thomas c. Patt and
Thomas Byrnes. then Superintendent Of Police. As
Election Day Of that year approached fears were en-
tertalned both by Republicans and Reformers that
Tammany Hall. by means OF its welknown methods
for working the police force would be able to main
tain It's domination OF the polling booths and repeat
the fraud and intimidation by which the Tammany
leaders could secure an enormous Illegal vote ~as
they had beer doing for five six years previously
Mr. Plat Mr.. Byrnes. 1t is said. and made
an agreement with him that resulted In breaking up
the Tammany scheme, which had worked to sucn
perfection In former elections Under Tammany
rue II the custom 10 send policemen OF all
grade, to Gle ,tion districts where they could use
their power aid the Tammany captains In stuffing
the ballot boxes and rolling up a big Tammany vote
Acting under the law that Commissioners Roosevelt
and Andrews want changed. Byrnes scattered me
minions OF Tammany on the police force TO districts
where they knew nobody and they became useless as
political factors
Mr. Patt promised Superintendent Byrnes In pay
ment for this service he should not be disturbed
by the Incoming Strong administration. and that
whatever might have been Byrness past sins or
omission and commission while he was carrying out
the behests Of Croker. they should be forgiven.
But NJ. Plat unable 10 make good MS
end OF the agreement. No sooner had President
Roosevelt and his colleagues assumed contro or
the department, than they proceeded TO take the
scalp OF Byrnes. Piatt could do nothing TO save
/ his friend He was obliged to content himself with
a vow that Byrnes should be restored 70 his OLD
place as head OF the police force II he should
have he power bring II about. Since the Greater
New-York has begun &c wear the appearance OF
reality Mr.. Byrnes's hopes, II is understood, nave
been rising rapidly. There Is little doubt that he
has been telling his close friends that he expects
10 orgerizs the police force 81 the new metropolis.
The bill for which President Roosevelt and his
fellow commissioners. except Mr.. Parker. have
been laboring at Albany TO reduce the CHIEF 5
powers has not been received with the favor they
hoped and they looked for aid to pull IT out OF the
m.re Not many days ago, i Is alleged Mr.; Roose-
Plat and asked the latter TO permit the bill to
become law. -,
The answer reported from Mr.. Plat blasted all
OF Roosevets hopper Of the bill.
YOU turned down Byrnes although you knew
that had promised that he should be retained In
consideration OF his services In the campaign that
made Morton Governor and Strong Mayor. can
not help men that strike at my friends and you
must look elsewhere for assistance for your bill
II was said yesterday that one Of the most dis
appointed men In New-York at the falling through
OF the supplemental Greater New-iork legislation
was ex-Chief Byrnes