New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-11-01
THE BROOKLYN Reform STRUGGLE

SYMPATHY EXPRESSED FOR TRIBUNE ErFoRT-AN
ATTACK UPON TIIE PRIVILEGES OF THE PRESS
DENOUNCED.
A most pleasing and gratifying testimonial
of the by the citizens OF Brooklyn OF the
course of THE TRIBUNE In it's persistent denunciaton
ana exposure Of the Brooklyn Ring, rendered 10
its City Editor. Mr.. w. +. G. shanks last evening. The
Kings County Reform Association at their last meeting
considering thatMr Shanks after the harsh treatment
he had received while assisting in his position subor
dinate OF THE TRIBUNE In the.work OF reform begun
by them, resolved that some public recognition was
proper Accordingly that Committee, with several of
the lpromnent members iof the Committee of One
Hundred the democratic Union Reform Association,
and other Citizens with the Regiment Band. pro-
ceeded last evening to the residence Of mr. Shanks in
Ninth ST., Brooklyn Among those who were present
Col Julian Allen, George ID. harrington, L. T.
Backhouse, Col A. c. Davis, Harvey Harrington L. L.
Gilbert, r. II. iChittenden, A. NJ Stillwe Col I. L..
Mercer A. II. Bull, L. Parsloe, and w A. Colt.
Arriving at their destination. about o. they
ceved by Mr. shadks, and ushered into the parlors,
whore Col Julian fallen. Chairman of the Committee.
explained the object OF ther.vist.as follows:
Mr. sHANKs We are here this evening, in accordance
you upon your return for short visit to your home
In the question of to-day there are two
Of the people "nd GsS prSs tSo o6eS
organized enemy and the attempt 10 deprive
the free press. Only in Russia, the country from which
came, can such treatment be found you have re-
ton called the Brooklyn Ring. Every honest citizen
viii stand by YOU for you have shown yourself to be in
the right. in the cause OF the peoples rights.
The band, under the leadership of George A. Conner
then gave music after which Col. Allen introduced
r. H. Chittenden, Secretary. of the Committee Of Fifty
who spoke as follows:
Mr.. sHASKs: In expressngiOur sympathy for the in
jury you have received at the hands OF the ministers of
the law, and Jour appreciation OF the manly courage
and fdehty which have sustained you during a
ject Of our presence is TO demonstrate devotion
to principles dear to the heart OF every Amercan-
personal liberty rand freedom OF the press.
Taking for authority the Constitution of these
United states Iwehbelieve your Imprisonment to be
days Of free and independent ancestors would have
sounded tho political doat ns of its
arehieal England judges are permitted to m l
not even Ta@mSHy legislature under the tweed dy
nasty had the courage to follow the English precedent
Tammany Ring dared not do in the City Of NewY0rk.
the little Tammany Ring has boldly done in Brooklyn
arrest and imprisonment OF citizen by judicial order
is not unusual But your Imprisonment Sir, Is justly
press the last desperate attempt Of the Brooklyn Ring
intimdate the friends of honest municipal government
has been engaged in life and death struggle with the
Brooklyn Ring. BY, Brooklyn Ring mean few eiti-
Gems, Democrats and Republicans, who controlled their
selected the candidates. for whom we should Vote Gre
aed in our midst irresponsible boards and commissions
and have imposed upon our taxpayers burdens that
can hardly be borne For yeats the ReformeIS found no
their cause. Tho organs Of the Ring, supported in
great measure by moneys from the public treasury.
and thereupOn Tidcned and misrepresented them
Greeley. espoused their cause, and. after, The
scnry through the efforts OF fearless aud PUBLIC spir
tied citizen began the publication OF the DIS
graceful record OF the Ring. AS burglars first
exhnGush the light dS sgd attempt attempt the s t6s
Brooklyn Ring has sought to exngush the light Of an
nous frauds. whether THE TRIBUNE has lbeled any
citizen OF Brooklyn Is not question for us to determine
sufficient for to know that you, the representa-
tive of THE TRIBUNE, the advocate OF honest govern
ment being charged with contempt for not violating
your parole honor denied opportunity 10 obtain
counsel, and committed to prison upon commitment
void upon its face. That the Dstrct-Attorney should
have had the hardhood to have submitted 20 the court
as his true return 70 the writ OF habeas
We are not uDmindfu of the fact that the magistrate
who processes TO have been 6eed by THE TRIBUNE mas
not CHOSEN to submit his cause to jury Are we not
therefore justified in believing that his object is 10 H.
tatonl We believe Sir that 1t IS not dhleult 70 draw
the line which divides license from liberty OF the press
nues to be her exponent In It's advocacy OF the cause
OF Municipal Reform and we shall not walt Tor victory
Mr. shanks replied briefly in substance as follows:
lam very glad for the opportunity to thank the men
who have been fighting In this reform for their ndorse
ment OF my course in this unwarrantabe ana egaI I'M
tn myse tbnk that this you are GpOdns
something than a newspaper, but q great prln-
chile believe that all of you also recognize that HE
TRIBUNE q speak this with personal and professional
pride was the first newspaper TO light the
Corruption IN this city,, and 10 second the
movement which your Committee began Ihe
newspaper is something more than collector OF
news and Instructor of public opinions 1t is also cons
tnted guardian Of public freedom and reform associ1
fiops like yours ia all times been glad 10 make ch
alliances In fact, such movement would be able
10 succeed were IL not for the press.
Mr. Shanks concluded by thanking the Committee for
their kindness calling upon him with such an expires
sion Of their approval. Upon the conclusion OF Mr.
acknowledgements T. d. Gilbert addressed him as follows:
We have come 70 offer to you sympathy and con-
been made the victim OF enraged aud baed Ogarchy,
and cOngrauatlon that Justice Of the Supreme Court
mas been found whO while he has . respect for the
Court of Over and TermiDer OF Kings County, also has
respect for personal liberty In your person. Sir we
think that personal liberty" has been trfed with,
tbe independent press" menaced and political re-
form assaulted IN far, Sir, as you have sought TO
sbserye the interests of TRUTH honesty and political
reform and by fearless and manly course, the sacred
nights Of citizenship beg leave TO assure you OF our
hearty sympathy and pledge to you our cordial support
and cooperation.
Col Allen then related instance Of his experience
with grand jury after which collation. was served
Several toasts were given and responded 10 by E. d.
Rackhouse Col A c. Davis George Is. Harrington ana
Others Later the evening serenade was gwen Ia
front Of the house, upon the conclusion Oh which the
company separated.