The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-07
BROOKLYN CITY GOVERNMENT.
Organization of the Board of Alder
men fer the Year 1873.
The Ring Heavily Assaulted by ON Independent
Democratic Alderman-John NJ Clancy
Elected President of the Board and w.
c. De Witt Corporation Counsel.

The Brooklyn Board OF Aldermen reorganiZed for
the year 1873 yesterday afternoon At three
O'Clock the doors were open and u rush was made
by the spectators for eligible sites in The Council
Chamber The apartment was shortly after crowded
in every part, and the business was commenced.
Mayor Powell, who occupied the chair, called the
meeting to order. Mr.. O'Reilly, of the Twelfth
ward, nominated Alderman Clancy, of the Fifth
ward, for chairman of the Board Alderman Tay-
lOr, of the Thirteenth ward nominated Alderman
Richardson, OF the Twenty1rst ward, for the chair
manship of the Board.
Alderman WILEY then arose and opened a
sCATHING SPEECH AGAINST THE "RING,"
against the men who pronounced themselves DEM
ocrats, whereas their only aim was that they might
thrust their arms into the treasury up to
the shoulder. In the great city of Brooklyn
dishonest officials had extraordinary opportunities
for avoiding criticism of their acts and punishment
of their crimes. The masses OF the people were
occupied daily with their own legitimate pursuits.
Hence the dishonest officials grew defiant in disre-
gard Of decency and integrity, un til In time their
audacity was equal to the formation OF corrupt
combination, which left no safety for the public
GORGINo THE HUNGRY MIscREANTs.
Had the people known One-half Of the criminal
ere this have overwhelmed them at the ballot box
and arragned them at the bar of justice for the
THE EAST RIVER BRIDGE
Alderman Wiley sad that the veil Of secrecy
was drawn over the expenditures OF money and
the light OF day excluded from every transaction
the entire cost was considered a moderate salary
ing the purchase and Sales necessary to the con-
struction OF the bridge; aud when committee OF
citizens began to push their Inquiries into the
people sp were asked to applaud the generosity Of
THIS King Of as Ring Y tarnng $4,000 Of
ing hipseu with sl25,ooO in cash for
one years services. little further Investigation
sNT Setween he en who conToes
and those who controlled the sawni which fur
nished the lumber used In Its construction: In
lumber was the Identical "John SMITH who sold
it. lie could not multiply relating to the bridge.
but 1t was known that the peoples money had been
expended in u shamerully clandcstine manner,
without proper restraint Of law, ana with effort
to conceal Oil transactions, which warrant the
gravest suspicious that the 'ring has acted in the
bridge management with more than ordinary
audacity in defrauding the people.
was commenced without the shadow Of necessity,
the water supply al the time being more than
the Ring against a bidder of much greater rcspOn-
sibility than himself.
THE wALLABouT IMPROVEMENT
has been another ring, WHICH, Alderman Wiley
states, will some day be exposed in all its unsghty
corruption, and another page OF the legitimate
ring history VIII be written. Every stone and
block in the pavements of our streets has been
made to do duty in extracting pence from pockets
OF taxpayers and transferring them to the pockets
OF the 'ring." Even
THE PARK Is THE FOOTBALL
OF this corrupt caba and pays tribute to political
knavery at the expense OF honest government.
All the public improvements are controlled by the
"ring"
The Office Of Corporation Counsel, the Alderman
continued has been for four years IN the hands of
u man who became the ready and willing tool to
impose. His ONCE has come to be known and re.
Parded as the most obnoxious OF any in the coun-
try. The fear OF what his successor might do by
way oil exposures has rallied the ring with all its
resources, TO force his re-eIecton. No higher duty
wonld devOlve upon the Board Of Aldermen during
the coming year than that OF investigating public
affairs and the conduct Of public officials. Alder
man Wiley declared that he would aim at official
and party publication, and II the democratic party
must go INTO minority 1t may be
WRITTEN UPON IT'S TOMBSTONE
"Died OF too much Boss Mclaughlin, King
Kingsley, &c., OF the Brooklyn ring" He should
cast his vote against any candidate who comes
there with the ring collar about his neck The
ring may triumph in the organization Of the Board, /
bit the fight should go on.
The 'ring satellites Interrupted Alderman
Wiley during the delivery Of his speech, OF which
the foregoing is an abstract and cries Of Orderl-
resounded The Chair called the Alderman to Or
der and told him to take his seat, as his remarks
were altogether out of order. The manuscript OF
the speech, which was written, was, however,
handed to the press.
A vote by ballot was then taken for the Presi-
dency OF the Board with the following result -
Jonn M. Clancy, 7; William Richardson, o; Thomas
Rodman, 2; blank, total numper OF votes cast,
Fl. Clancy was declared duly elected. For COrpO-
ration Counsel w. C. DE witt received .l3 votes,
Joshua Van Colt 9, r. I. Wood O. p. Tormey was
re-eleeted Keeper OF the City Hall.