New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-09-23
THE NEW BROOKLYN DEVELOPMENTS.

"
The Ring in Brooklyn, as we have had re-
peated occasion to say, Is duplex orgahiza-
ton, embracing both Republicans and Demo
Gratis The latter half of the swlndllng
concern has lately lost some OF It's most active
members in Sprague and Rodman and McLaugh-
lin and a number of other Treasury pilferers.
The consequence is that their masters,
McCue Kingsley, Mclaughlin and Fowler, have
been not a little demoralized, and have en-
deavored to find consolation in seclusion.
Now, Mr.. Sheriff Williams of the Republican
side of the house comes down like Col.
Scott's coon, and admits the frauds charged
against him and his subordinates. Mr..
Tracy and Mr.. Jourdan, the Republican cOun-
terparts of Kingsley and Mclaughlin, who
run the Republican Ring, will now find it In
cumbent on them to account for their re-
sponsibility in putting Mr.. Williams where Ire
could consent to or conniye at, or overlook
these frauds.
Mr. Williams as a Republican candidate was
elected by the Democratic Ring. There was
an intrigue, an alliance of the Ring men to
defeat the Democratic candidate who could
not be used, that Mr.. Williams (who could
be) might get in. This was pOliti-
cal bargain well known to have
been arranged by the Ring men and
carried out by the corrupt organizations of
the two parties which they control. 1t is one
of those facts difficult to prove because only the
politicians who made the bargain were wit
nesses to it, but the assertion is also one I'M
necessary to be substantated, because no.
body doubts what Is notorious in Brook
Ign political circles. Mr.. Cunningham,
the Democratic candidate, was q pop
ular man, powerful in the Democratic
Committee, and he forced his nomination on
the unwilling Ring. Mr.. Williams was not
popular personally, and yet he was elected by
a large majority of votes. Mr.. Cunningham
was :" sold out" Mr.. Williams "bOught in;n
and it is just now discovered that he had to
pay something besides the patronage of his
office. He had to divide its profits somewhere,
and he made up for losses by Overcharges
against the county.
1t is of some present importance to know
precisely who have been Mr.. Williams's
hackers and abettors, and that he and they
be punished. 1t is of less Importance to the
whole people, however, than that the Ring
which dictated his election should be held to
strict accountability for putting forward
such man. The Ring has filled
Brooklyn offices with such men. 1t
put Sprague and ROdman in the Treas
ury; Mclaughlin in the Fire Commission ::
Britton in the District Attorneys office McCue
on the bench of the City Court. There are
others whom we might name, and who will
be ferreted out before long. While we have
little faith in the prosecution which Britton
will institute, for he is himself under I'M
tried charges as grave as any he JIG
called upon to prosecute, we have great
confidence in that scrutiny which the
people will make into the character of future
candidates if an independent press will fully
and faithfully expose the corrupt officers whom
the Ring has heretofore elected That is the
way to rescue Brooklyn. Already the agta-
ton we have begun there has broken I'D the
schemes to put such men as the ridiculous Mr..
Ropes forward. The Ring is forced to look
around for candidates of character and ability
or be beaten. We believe the people can
hope for more than this. An independent
movement will win, if wisely directed, and
the Reformers ought to set to work in
stantly to organize it. There comes a time
in the history of every people when money
has no avail in elections. This Fall the peo-
pie of Brooklyn are aroused to that state of
feeling when Ring dictations and party or
CARNATIONS are unheeded. Then is the OBJ
port unity of Reform