Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 January 1895 — SUIT. BYRNES RESIGNS. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

SUIT. BYRNES RESIGNS.

The Famous New York Chief ol Police Steps Down. Dr. Parkhurst Charges a “Deal” Between the Lexow Committee and the Superintendent—New Phaaea of the Great Inquisition. The Lexow investigation at New York, came to an end, Saturday evening. Superintendent Byrnes was the star witness of the last session. At the end of his examination, he handed a letter to Chair* man Lexow, stating that it was a copy of a letter sent to Mayor-elect Strong. ij was as follows: Dear Sir—l appreciate as fully as any man can the tremendous responsibility that will come upon you when you assume the duties of mayor and undertake the reform of the various departments of the city government. I desire not to be an obstacle or an embarrassment to you in anything that you may propose to do with the police department. On the contrary] I wish to aid you in any way that I can. j

assume that you are now considering what action you ought to take at the outset of your administration and what legislation will be required to make such action practical. I therefore now place in your hands my request to be retired from the post ol superintendent, to be used by you at any time after the first of January as you set fit. And let nie further say that you may be entirely free to command my services, advice and information at any time in regard terthe affairs of the police department. with which I have been so long connected. Your obedient servant, Thomas Byrnes. Mr. Byrnes has been continuously connected with the police department of New York in various capacities for thlrty-twc years. Rev. Dr. Parkhurst, Monday, gave tc the press a lengthy statement concerning the resignation of Superintendent Byrnes. Be reviewed the course of the Lexow committee from beginning' to end, and tald that the investigation had been thorough until the crisis—the examination ol Kupt. Byrnes—was reached, wjien it was apparent that an effort to shield the Superintendent had been made for reasons bMk known to the Lexow committee. Dr. Parkhurst proceeded at great length to e;p-ain the equivocal positions of Mr - HyfUes and the committee, and practically charged the Superintendent with being responsible for all the short comings and corruption that had been unearthed by the protracted investigation of the Lexow SeuftCe Committee. Dr. Parkhurst insin-

uates in bls statement that there was a “deal” between Sept. Byrnes and the committee jecausc Byrnes aided the an-ti-Tammar, y forces at the Novembei election, and he thinks Byrnes was saved from exposure on account of his services against Tair.many. Chairman f<exowof the committee was ihown the letter of Dr. Parkhurst, and <aid that ho had expected such charges roin Dr. Par«*.itirst. because the commitee had done Its work so thoroughly that ■’arkhurst wee id have nothing to do in die future bit preach the gospel. His oc:upation as a threat reformer was gone, in short Parkhurst was jealous. As fai is the commijtce’s attitude toward ths Superintendent was concerned, Mr. Goff 'aid he would rave something to say in tJi<* future. Ex-Senator Platt was interviewed at VVilkesbarre. Pi-.., pn the Parkhurst letter ind said that ti e Rev. Doctor was honest but visionary, end was suffering from a -nollen head at this time. Tn reference tc So pt. Byrnes’ resignation, Mr. Platt said: “I do not believe Mayor Strong will 'accept it. Byrnes is to valuable a man tc lose, and when the department is reorganized tie will be at the head of it, I think.”

SUPERINTENDENT BYRNES.

[?] REV. C. H. PARKHURST.