New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-02-17
TILE CITY CHAMPION.

| The next time MIR. A. Onkey nan IL ioImilly
installed "a Mayor of NewYolk-tor we take
il for granted that he has not had MS snare
yet-it would be a good plan for him to get
nm n great Lord Mayors show, such as they
have in London, with a gilt coach, sword
beorer. and no end of powdered lackeys, state
dinner at the City Hall, and procession down
the Bowery. Above all things he must have
Man in AImor, as typical champion OF the
riobts of private citizens and the privileges
and mmunities of the corporation. For TINS
champion he will not have far to seek. DIT.
William NJ Tweed is obviously the most suita-
BILE person. He would look very handsome IN
armOr, and his conduct in relation to the
assessments for widening Broadway has already
made him more eminent as municipal de-
fender and taxpayers champion than even the
| Citizens, Association. 1t would be agreeable
to our citizens to see him publicly recognized
in this CAPACITY, while the spectacle OF the
Boss. clad in complete mail, with lance III rest
and visor down, would add dignity and
snlendor even 10 a show in which Mayor Hall
was the central figure. Our readers know
something about the great assessment job
Most of the property upon which dam
ages were to be awarded was first
acquired, directly or indirectly, by the
Ring Commissioners, appointed by Judge
Cardozo, then made enormous awards for the
buildings to be destroyed and land occupied
in widening the street The owners OF prop
erty which the Ring had not been able to
secure were compelled or induced to assign
| their claims to County Auditor Watson, and
when these claims were paid it was understood
that the Ring would divide very pretty pile
of plumber. The sudden death Of Mr. Watson
before the scheme could be carried out threw
everything into confusion. In the settlement
of his estate these assignments would have to
be explained and the Ring would lose every
thing Mr.. Frear fastened to introduce into
the Assembly bill to repeal the Broadway
| Widening act and wipe ont the whole transac-
ton. 1t was discovered, however, or at least
apprehended, that repeating act would he
| invalid, since the awards and assessments had
| already been confirmed by the Supreme Court ;
and unless some new device could be found
the taxpayers must submit to the swindle,
while at the same time the Ring would lose a
large share of their profits.
1t is at this moment that Mr. Tweed APP
pears as the champion of honesty and reform.
He gravey stated in the Senate that he knew
nothing about the case himself, until his
"attcntion was called to it by the public press"
but he was now grieved to say that the awards
were subjects of much complaint, and ought
| to be overhauled. Consequently he presented
a bill authorizing the Supreme Court to revise
and rcsoind the action hitherto taken, and to
appoint new Commissioners. The first section
of the bill empowered the General Term of the
| First Judicial Department to revise and annul,
on appeal, the confirmation by the Special
| Term of the report of the Commissioners of
Estimate and Assessment; the second and
third defined certain rules Of proceeding; the
fourth authorized the Mayor Aldermen, and
Commonalty, disregarding any appeal which
may have been made to the General Term, to
proceed by motion to annul before any of
the Supreme Court Judges of the First Depart
ment, either at Special Term or Chambers; pro-
vided that no Judge should be disqualified to
act by reason of being personally interested in
the result; and allowed the new Commissioners
to assess any property in the city for the cost
of the proposed widening. instead of restrict
ing them, as before, to property above Four
feminist. Thus the old iniquity could be
covered up by Judge Carsozo in Room 10, y
and a new one organized on the same general
principles, but with more generous Opportuni-
ties. No awkward secrets would get out, and
the Judges interested in the awards could
Judge their own eases without any trouble.
Such an extraordinary bill was sure to be
fought by honest Democrats; but Mr.. Tweed
seems to have been equal to all emergencies
so far. When it came up in Committee of the
Whole, Mr.. Tweed, the presiding officer of the
Senate pro tenn, called the trusty Democrat
Morgan to the chair. An indignant opposition
to the fourth section was manifested on both
sides of the House, and Mr.. Chapman moved
to strike it out. The motion was put to the
vote. There were several Yeas against sim
gle Nay. Mr.. Morgan Immediately declared
the motion lost, and then ruled q call for q
count out of order This being DONE the Sem
ate went out of Committee, and Mr.. Genet, by
a bit of sharp parliamentary practice, sue
ceeded in forcing the bill on to third read
ing TO pass it, every Democratic vote in the
Senate was required. One member of the party,
Mr.. Hardenbergh, stoutly refused to vote for the
infamous clause permitting a Judge to act in
a cause in which he was personally interested,
and this was at last expuDged on the motion
of Mr.. Tweed himself The bill then passed
by a strict party vote, and is now before the
Assembly. It's fate in that body is hardly
doubtful. 81 can tell gentlemen" exclaimed
the Boss, in Wednesdays debate, "that New
york intends to have, ana will have, what she
wants, and we think we can carry this bill"
The bill is 80 worded that Mr.. Tweed and
one of his Judges can practically settle the
whole matter themselves. The report of the
Commissioners can be annulled at chambers
by any Judge whom Mr.. Tweed may dcsg-
nate for that purpose; a new Commission, in