The New York herald., 1871-11-14
EX.CONCRESSMAN BERGEN ON THE SITUA-
TON.

Being desrous OF obtaining as complete photo
graph OF public sentiment among prominent men
upon the situation IN Brooklyn as possible, under
the excitement prevailing there at present the
'electionn and other alleged frauds writer for the
HERALD had an interview yesterday with ex-Con-
gressman Tunis G. Bergen, "a native and to the
manner born,n whose llneal descent dates back 200
years on Long Island.
"What are your opinions, Mr.. Bergen, upon the
situation IN Brooklyn at PRESENT."
~ should say affairs generally are decidedly
MIXED, that there has been considerable noise
made, and that 1t won't amount to much after all.
You see. this reform business an old story. When
was in the Board Of Supervisors there was, be-
lieve. some little stealing going on among certain
ring OF the members. cry for reform was raised
before the next election and 1t had the efect de-
sired. All the reformers were elected, and they
stole twice much as the old ring whose place they
had taken. It Is the man that must make the ofnce
honest and not the ONCE the man. Let the law be
what 1t w1 II the ofIlcal Is inclined to steal he win
nnd shavlnQs' enough for him. 1t is the same
In private instltution-in bank, II the directors
honest, the clerks either stcal though
Our system OF government IS wrong. both parties
nre e ss 70 ,Sr s ac we m exema
payers, and they, having nothing at stake, make
night against property, and amass oil they can of
for inst ance in the State OF Nortn Carolina the
black man has q majority, and votes himself into
Office. When he gets there he makes war on The
properly OF the white taxpayer. The result OF
this outrage is too patent 70 require recount
ing to anybody See Bill Tweed, worth his
many millions OF dollars. Why, when he went into
office few years ago he was Comparatively poor
man. But he was powerful in the battle against
property ana wrestcd the lions share OF 1t for him.
self.v
suppose we give women tho right Of franch Use,
Mr.. Bergen, would that help in any degree, think
you TO correct the balance Of the scales OF Justice
towards all men 7"
''No, sir: don't believe it could be productive OF
any improvements, and Will tell you why. Respecta.
bic lcmales--adies and the middle class--wOuld not
dare TO go near the polls IN large cities for fear OF
being nsulled and roughly treated, while the lower
order OF women, the 'social evilistsu would
usurp the privilege, In such view, then, naught
but evil could come Of women voting. While mer-
chant princes and taxpayers stand aloOf IRON the
primaries which are the root OF political evils In
New YORK and brooklyn, the class OF men who viii
geS into Office Will not improve. Where reside, aJ
only four taxpayers, While there were seventy-nve
workmcn and rouahs, who paid no taxes These
sort of people, then, come to the primaries, choose
their delegates To conventions and these delegates
In turn nominate one oil their own number to Office.
The only chance for the republican party TO come to
the surface politically In Kings county IL upon such
an occasion as the present. when Juror OF excite.
mcpt prevails which enables them to take the tide
nj the turn and sail IN on it.n
.sDo you think there are many men who have
grown rich In ONCE In Bro0klynaYe there any mil
iiounalres among themW
ii have never heard OF any. ] think thera IN