New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-12-21
BROOKLYN'S HOPE DEFERRED
FURTHER DELAY IN THE RING SUITS
ARRESTS AND ATTACHMENTS ABASDONED--rHE RE-

TION-rHE RING LIKELY TO ACT ON THE OP-
FENsVE-REPORTs or COUNTER suTTs-NR.
BLISS POSITION.
Service of papers in the Brooklyn Ring suits
has again deferred by inquiries into the re-poDsi
billy Of the Taxpayers Association for initiating SUITE
1t was at one time determined TO make srrcsts II
q certain affidavit could be obtaineo, aud, In
any event. TO attach the property Of the do
PENDANTS. Both purposes have now been aban-
doned, and neither arrests nor attachments
will be made II found that In order 10 attach prop
ery the Taxpayers Association would he required 70
become plaintiffs in the .uits and give security for the
costs OF the actions The lowest estimates made the sum
ncerssary for this security $4,000 This responsibility
the Taxpayers Association declined TO assume But tho
chief for declining to make attachments was THAI
that process made the Taxpayers tho plaintiffs, end
liable to damages for malicious prosecution in case Of
failure OF IN. suits Tic people will be tho plaintiff. ~
the actions be brought in the pane Of The State.
Lumors Of counter actions by Kingsley Keeney and
by A. NJ Bliss against the Taxpayers Association were
rife in Brooklyn Saturday and Sunday the friends OF
the former alleging that the suits the resnt Of
conspiracy begun originally by Harvey burlington and
Demas Barnes, the Others Of the Committee Of Tax
payers beins afterward drawn into IT, They lege that
both the sboyenamed citizens disappointed candL
dates for the Democratic nomination for Mayor and thst
they actuated by revengeful motives. Mr.. Earring
ton, when asked about the NATTER declared that he had
acted I'm the matter only for the general good, hal no
malicious motives whatever, and In fact had not been
particularly active IN the matter From persons inter-
ested both sides It finally understood that the
theory Of conspiracy was about as foliows:
The taxpayers In the beginning distrusted Mr.. De
Witt Corporation Counsel, and desired to have some
other person prosecute the Ring Mayorelect Schroeder
urged the Committee OF the Association TO defer action
until hc into office JAM /, when Lac promised
that the suits should be vigorously prosecuted by Mr. De
Witt The taxpayers decided however to go forward,
and made their application to the AtorneyGenera In
order the friends Of the King TO make the state
the plaintiff and thus avoid the responsibility Of begu-
Mug suits in their own name. The Rings defenders
claim further To have proof Mr. Parsons actually
paid $500 by the Tax payers Association 10 examine the
papers, make only erpare inquiry into the evidence,
and this partial showing advise tie Attorney
to bring the suits in the Of the people OF the State
Ii is asserted by the persons OF the
looked upon the Ring, but not Understood
speak authoravey that the lawyers retained for the
defense have given 1t their opinion that this e0nst
tntes conspiracy. They assert further that u wac
through the personal representations Of Mr. Barnes and
Mr.. Harrington that the Attorneyienera was induced
propose and the Tax Association 70 accept Mr.
ParsOns who Is the private attorney Of both gentlemen
The Ring leaders claim thai the members of the Tax
payers Association either were deceived into making
this arrangement were parties 10 IT, but which they
have 10 means OF determining The Taxpayers deny
every allegation OF the kind Mr. Harrington held that
the Associate in party to the suit When
asked f. +. Baekhouse, Samuel Hutchinson, Nathaniel
Cothren Mr. Woolworth and himself who constitute the
Subcommittee OF Five OF the Taxpayer Association,
we've made the plaintiffs aud required to give bonds,
he said that the State only the plaintiff In
ton conspiracy for damages for malicious prose-
cuon the malice must he proven, ana 10 was Wen known
that the Taxpayers Association had been aeuated only
by help citizens OF Brooklyn "a relief from
taxation for the benefit of corrupt oieiss Mr. Earring.
ton denied his activity responsibility In the matter.
IN aIa olear hat Mr.
pay the preliminary report to the Attorney General
from either Nj. Barnes Mr. Harrington, bet from Mr..
Backhouse
Mr. Kingsley, when asked about any countercharges
and suits against the Taxpayer Association. answered
In his usual slow and guarded manner intiins'mg that
he had ythng say the subject lie would not tell n
TO THE TRIBUNE. " You have brought suit against tho
City OF Brooklyn for a large sum ~ 4" Yes but that's
matter OF record" And de- you contemplate suits
against any OF the taxpayers T. Oh that's another
matter" The lawyers Of Mr. Kngslcy were equally reth
cent Rumors they had been before the Grand Jury
r,a:iye TO conspiracy charges were found have
more substantial basis than the declaration OF one OF
adherents that they ought to indct Them, mean
ing, Of course, the taxpayers.
IMPLEADlNG A. NJ. BIIaS.
Friend. OF Congressman Bliss have urged upon the
Taxpayers Association the impolcy Of mpeadmg him
with the Others but thus far without sicess 10 was
represented to them Mr.. Bliss minority in the
Water Board, that lac persistentiy voted against the
Hampstead Reservoir scheme and finally resigned when
h. saw that the majority were determined to carry
through tie scheme aud tina: as far the Jbirdaye
sewer 10 concerned the record shows that the only actoy
him which furtherd scheme the offer Of reso-
luton 10 dismiss the st contractor Oh tile application
OF majority Of the residents in the district who alleged
uipsb. delay the part Of tue contractor Tie tax
payers on III, other maud, while admitting that they
have 10 other proof against Mr. Bliss than This record
claim that they had 10 include him In tae snit
because no was . Republican,, and To omit him
would give color for the charge by the other
members Of the Board that the light 10
a purely political one. Tie fact that Mr.. Bliss was
elected to Congress as Democrat and Liberal and took
part In the Democratic caucus. was urged as an ofsetD
tits argument The taxpayers claim also 70 think thas
Mr. Bliss knows all about operations In the Board ana
that to brins suit Is the best way 10 make hh TELL Inc
friends OF Mr. Dss this insult. declare That
s Knows nothing OF any corrupt coGsvn and Say that
to begin his career in Congress by turning
stae' evidence in municipal matters would make
Mr. Bliss as useless one OF HIS colleagues
OF Pacific Mali fame. His friends say that implcaded
IL will he because certain Of the Taxpayer Committee
nave been stuffed" by his into the belief THAI
hc knows all the corruption in Brooklyn and that
instead OF remaining on defensive to be- sued with
men with whom he never had other than Official and
political relations he will bring suits against certain VI
his acusers and force their proof Many OF the TAX
payers Association, such Is cA-Mayor Booth, hanuei
Hutchinson u. c. CrOnD. A. G. Davis, and Others, think
that Az error is being made by impledng Mr. Bss put
the C.mite. vi Five appear resolved upon ihs action