The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-02-24
NEW DETECTIVES NAMED.
DETECTIVES sCULLY AND BARRETr
REDUCED TO THE RANKS.


JuIius stark and John J. Murphy Pro-
noted to Fill the Vacancies-The
order for the Change Issued Yes
terday by Mayor Myers Upon the
Reguest of Superintendent Screw
and Political Atmosphere Consid-
erabIy-Detective Shea the Only
Member of the Old Force Left.
The predicted change in the detective
branch of the police department, which
wae forecast in yesterdays Morning News,
me to pass. Detectives Scu.ly and Bar
rett who have for several years had the
privilege of chasing thieves and burglars
through clues furnished by the pawnshops
and otherwise, Are now back in the ranks
Detective Shea, who was also in dis
favor because of'his association with the
two ex-detectives in their alleged breaches
of discipline, still retains his place, and
now ranks as the senior detective of the
force. The two vacancies were filed by
the promotion of Acting Detective Julius
Stark and of Patrolman John j. Murphy.
Myers yesterday morning by request of
Slpt Screven. The Mayor was not sur
prised to receive a letter from the su-
periutendent requesting for the good of
the service and the efficiency of the de-
partment that Detectives Sculiy and Bar
rett be reduced TO The ranks, and that
officers Stark and Murphy be appointed in
40 taxr
issued by the Mayor.
"Supt. Screven is the head of the police
department" said Mayor Myers, in dis
cussing the matter. Il hold him response
BILE for the good conduct of his depart
ment, and 1 expect him to know best how
TO accomplish results. If he feels that it
is necessary, in order to secure satisfac-
tory service, that changes be made, L am
not disposed TO question his reasons for
doing SO.
Mayor Myers said that he was aware
that the service rendered by the detec-
tives had been the cause of considerable
criticism for some time and he was not
surprised al the superintendent in making
the recommendations which he did. 1t
was entirely in his province to do so, he
said.
Shortly after the trial in which the
three detectives were let off with light
fines by the Mayor upon charges prefer
red against them by the su-
perintendent, Mayor Myers stated
that, while the evidence produced
had not sustained the more serious
charges made, if the superintendent were
dissa tisfied with the services of the de-
tectives, he had only to recommend their
reduction to ranks and to name Others
in their places and he would regard such
a recommendation as practically obligu>
tory upon him. This hint was enough for
the superintendent and he did not hesi-
tate to avail himself of it.
The change in the detective force has
had the effect of clearing the official and
political atmosphere considerably. After
the failure of the Mayor 20 sustain the
superintendent in his charges against the
detectives, the superintendent was left in
rather awkward position, with a detec-
tive force on his hands from which he
could expect little effective cooperation
after what had .transpired. The SUPER
intendents friends also. INDUCED in con-
sdera Bile adverse criticism of the Mayors
action, and there were threats and MUIR
murings of new political deals which
might result from this state of affairs.
Yesterdays deal put a new face on af-
fairs, and leaves Supt. Screven in con-
troll of the situation, so far as his de-
partment is concerned, with full liberty TO
&c ahead and direct the work of his de-
partment as he deems best.
There is a difference of 80 a month in
the pay of detectives and patrolmen, but
the real attraction of the former position
is in the larger privileges and greater
freedom of action which it permits. De-
tective Stark has acted In this capacity
for the greater part of the last three years
and has done some very effective work.
Policeman Murphy, who is promoted, is re-
Sarded as one of the brightest men of
the force and may be expected to do good
work. The police regulations only pro-
vide for three detectives, but the super
intendent has the privilege of detailing
men as he may see fit to act in this ca
pacity. If any acting detectives are ap-
pointed 1t is likely that Policemen God
bod and F. T. Wall, who have done good
work in this line before, will be selected.
Sculy and Barrett, who have been put
back in the ranks, have been members of
the detective force for several years, and
II Is but just to them to say that in this
capacity they have done a great deal OF
excellent work. During the last several
months, however. there has been consd-
cradle criticism of their conduct and this,
doubtless, had a great deal TO do in bring
ing about the breach with the superin-
tendent and their consequent reduction to
ranks.
Superintendent Screven said last night
mat he had not received the order of the
Mayor making the changes stated and de-
chned to discuss his action.