New-York tribune., 1871-11-06
RROOHLYN.

Ring which we are trying to break up In
New-York. It's sphere Of operations has been
smaller than Mr.. Tweed's, but it has made the
best of its opportunities, and run up debt
of between thirty and thirty-fVe millions
with rapidity that would have done credit
to Tammany itself. The frauds of the Water
Board, which we were recently the means OF
exposing, the frauds in stationery and print
ing which were 80 gross that a certain con-
tractor had to acknowledge the Overcharge
and reduce his demand, the frauds in supplies
for the Jail, which led to the resignation OF
the Jail Committee of the Board OF Superv1-
sors, are among the latest achievements OF
this corrupt organization. 1t made the Board
of Supervisors 80 notorious that the Leg1sla-
tufe was on the point of sweeping that Dody
out of existence. The Board was saved, how
ever, by compromise; the place OF SuperVi-
sor-at-Large was created, with the understand
ing that it should be conferred upon some cit
izen of undoubted integrity and high character,
who was to exercise O veto power over the pro-
ceedings Of the Board. The first inoumbentwa
to be appointed by the County Judge, County
Clerk, and County Treasurer, to serve until
January, 1872; and thereafter the place was
to be filed by election. To the indignation
of the reformers of all parties, the Supervisor
at-Large appointed under this law last March
was William j. Osborne, then President of the
Board-a man generally held responsible for
the worst frauds and extravaganza of the
very body upon which he was expected to act
as check, deeply implicated with the swind-
ling Jail Committee, and as much part OF
the Ring as Mr. Tweed Is q member Of the
band of Tammany thieves. Mr.. Osborne's
record was so bad that the papers Of his own
party called his appointment. "a farce" The
Brooklyn Eagle, in an article entitled "a Hair
"of the Dog that Bit U.s." denounced the
County Judge, Clerk, and Treasurer in un-
measured terms for making such an out
rageous choice. at seems Incredible" said
Tho Eagle, "but Is the fact, these three gen.
"tlemen have actually selected the Chairman
"of the Board, the designstor of its Commit
"tees, the member who had not even the poor
excuse of personal profit to plead for Its
manifold jobs, who erred through simple
weakness where others were proftably
wicked. The Board plus Mr.. Osborne as
Chairman has done almost invariably wrong;
chow is it going to be any better plus him as
"vetoeri This selection is the negation of
reform; it Is the open defiance Of universal
public sentiment; it is blunder for Mr..
"Troy, the outgoing Judge; it is q scandal
"for Mr.. Herman, the newly-elected County
"Clerk and above ALL it is o stain on the
hitherto unblotted record Of the County
Treasurer"
Mr.. Osborne, about whom the local Demo-
cratic organ used this plain language last
Spring, is now the Democratic candidate for
the same Office Of Supervisor Com
ment upon such scandalous nomination
seems superfuous. The place is one of the
greatest Importance to the local interests of
Brooklyn, and if there Is to be any reform In
the finances it must be filed by resolute and
thoroughly honest man, free from corrupt
affiliations. II the Democrats, as body, sup
port Osborne's nomination, they will avow
themselves the party Of fraud.
Against Osborne, the Republicans have
named Mr.. Dwight johnson, now Supervisor
of the Third Ward. He has been member
of the Board for five years, and during that
time has made high reputation for economy,
honesty, and independence. He has been q
conspicuous opponent OF all the jobs which
have been introduced into the Board. He was
80 well known as an enemy Of every species
of fraud and extravaganza that Mr.. Osborne,
when Chairman, practically excluded him from
all committee business. For this action the
Democratic Eagle called Osborne sharply to
account, and, while complimenting Mr.. john
son very highly for his liability" and "vigi-
"lance," used the following significant Ian
guage:
"Itis evident that Messrs Harman and Johnson were
not left on the active Committees political grounds,
for on the Committees several manageable Repub-
lcans fare very we'll Tho new Chairman Of the Board
of Supervisors straight out party man, but he cannot
servo his party by pursuing which the public
will attribute to Spite or stil tsss roriAy moHpes"
Now with this testimony as to the merits OF
the two candidates, which will the friends Of
Reform preferf .,