New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-06-16
O'REILLY SHUTS THEM Up.
VIGILANCE CLOSES SALOONS
THROUGHOUT HIS PRECINCT.
THE VETERAN DROPS IN UNEXPECTEDLY
ON SOME CAROUsERs AS THEY ARE
THREATENING HIM

There was nothing theatrical yesterday about
the enforcement of the excise law In the Fifth
Precinct. where Captain Miles O'RefIy presided.
Although conscious that the eve OF the COM
n1unity was on him. the veteran captain did not
attempt any theatrical raid but stuck closely
to the enforcement OF the law through rigorous
patroIing
Saloons without hotel license must be closed
from u o'clock Saturday night to , o'clock Mon
day morning See that this law is enforced
Allow no gaming of any sort to he carried on:
keep the corners clear so far possible. I be
lieve you men will do your duty. II there is any
complaint it is up TO me and I will stand for the
blame and the prosecution. Let each officer do
his duty and rest assured that I will stand be-
hind him
These were the words Of advice and command
that the men OF the precinct received from their
commander al each rolIcaU and it was with
these words in mind that they went out on their
tours of duty conscious that their captain was
behind them, and that they had no further re
sponsibility than 10 do mans duty. 10 arrest
malefaCtors 10 preserve order. and 10 fall back
upon their captain in Of trouble
THE CAPTAIN OUT AT A. NJ
At 4. m. Captain O'Reilly was out investi-
eating the situation in his precinct walking
through blind and dark alleys in company with
detectives tIeyIlo4uS L4di AAS eI'4'1 AiS'. 4'SN
ening TO the oaths and boasts of those who defed
his power and doubted his honesty. and care
fully mapping out his campaign against the
disorderly and unlawful elements Of his pre-
cinct.
I do not call that hard or unusual" said the
| captain TO a Tribune reporter. when asked
| whether he did not feel wearied from, his early
vigfIs. That is what agreed to do when took
my oath as a police officer That is what I eX
pect 10 do-rny duty"
This spirit Of responsibility and Of determine
ton to perform duty was infectious. The men,
as they listened to their chief at the three roll
calls, caught the inspiration. One could see by
their faces that they felt the call and the sup
port of their commander. The burden of the
| excise law was suddenly shifted from the indi-
vidual patrolman TO the captain who said ID his
men:
DO your duty and I will stand the blame
TO yourselves for the enforcement of the law;
look TO me for the projection you may need as
result Of your actions"
Retiring at t o'clock, Captain O'Reilly was on
duty again at O'Clock. his word of direction
was the watchword Of the day, and the district
understood There was no bluff The word
| went out quietly, but authoritatively that the
law as it was written should be enforced. and it
was If the district not dry. only the
Raines law hotels mCistened IT.
A saloon No. "a Olive--st. which attempted
to do business quickly came to grief and the
with serving beer to a patrolman in uniform,
were quickly carried to the station under arrest.
HEARD THEM DENOUNCE HIM.
At No. % Batavia-st. fifteen men in the base
nent were singing loudly and denouncing the
police, and Captain O'Reilly particularly. From
an open window threats could be heard. the men
promising Ito do" the police if they We're inter
rupted After studying the situation carefully
Captain O'Reilly and Detectives Reynolds.
Murphy and Distner lit candles and made a
detour of the place They entered a narrow
passageway and completely surprised the occu-
pants. Il am Captain O'Re>lly." said that indi-
vldual' and Understand that you people are
looking for trouble The crowd did not stop to
think about what they had threatened to do. but
fed in every direction An almost empty beer
key the table in the centre of the room.
I have been through my district, and l can't
complain. Captain OReilly's summary Of
the situation As for the people who are trv-
ing to evade the law. both those who caught
and those who escape. before winter comes they
will understand the situation, 1 have a fine
a finer lot of men? I believe they are doing
their duty. and whatever blame comes is for me.
I told them so. and 1 meant it The courts Will
sustain me in this position. l am indebted to
the press for what they have done. l mean to
stand by my words and TO assume the RESPONSE
bility. The district is satisfactory; I have no
word of complaint.
SALOONS EXPOSED THEIR BARS.
Right under the shadow of the station ia a.
saloon but its doors were closed. The order of
the ca ptain that saloons should expose their
bars was obeyed. little girl armed with a.
pitcher sought obtain refreshment at a ia
miliar stand and failed. She didn't get the beer
and she couldn't understand the reason bur she
was in the minority. for it was generally I'M
derstood that Captain Miles O'Reilly constituted
the sole and sufficient reason.
"Wot the Cap says goes said old sergea Mt
who accompanied his chief from BROOKLYN
Hes on the level aud he means wot he says
Evidently the district took Captain O'ReilIy
at his word for the Fifth Precinct was closed
yesterday closed not merely in the statement
of the captain. but effectually closed
Enforce the law equally, favor one" With
this aduonition duty became easy and patrol