New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-12-08
rue yrV BRyDGE PRESIDENT.

TIE NEW BRIDGE PRESIDENT.
Mr.. William C.. Kingsley, of Brooklyn is q
conspicuous candidate for the place LEFT vacant
ot the heal of the Bridge organization by the
death of Henry C. Murphy. 1t will I've best TOT
the nnterprise and most to the honor OF the TWO
cities on which the burden of this great Work
rests that he I've defeated. The choice OF Ms'
KINGSLEY for this chair would not be a credit
to New York or 10 BROOKLYN. Nor that only. IL
would be distinctly disgrace to both cities
II would not be for good morals nor for puollc
decency so to I'll the empty seat. Mr.. Kings.
lev has been the very centre of every scandal
that has clustered about this undertaking, and
the number of them has been legion. The birth
of the scheme was from the monstIous union Oh
the New York and Brooklyn rings.
Mr.. Kingsley was the chief prOcurer of that toni
and abominable alliance. In William Nj. IWeeu
he found n kindred soul. Once brought together
their minds moved with harmony That sho"eu
their similarity in moral makeup. From the out
rageous fraud of the fifteen per cent allowance
from the early abuses of the granite contracts,
tbrougb all the long, black years of waste, JOD-
herv and wrong through all the weary months
of mismanngement, extravaganza and delay,
Mr. KinOsley's has been the hand that gov
erned the machinery. In the secret meetings
of the Executive Committee which made ana
unma1c contracts. which determined now the
millions that have been lavished on this struc-
lure should be used with the least advantage 10
the two cities and the greatest gain to contract
ors and ciques, which put OH year after year
the date of completion in order that this CO.
Inssol iob should remain source of revenue to
tbcso who had grown rich on it and power in
the politics of Brooklyn to those who had
crown strong by means of tin all these
meetings Mr.. Kingsleys voice was the most
potential. That Executive Committee handled
the simple and crednlOus trustees at its Will
until Brooklyn elected Mayor Who knew not
Kingsley. BY arrogance and Bullying at times,
by whecdling and cajolery at other times, by
plausible explanations which explained nothing,
bv fair promises that were never kept, by all tho
tricks and devices which cOnsumInate natural
shrewdness sharpened by years of friction
with the keenest politicians of two great cities
could supply, this committee held the board OF
trustees in the hollow of its hand. The com
mittee controlled the board. Mr.. Kingsley
controlled the committee. At last we are
nearing the completion of the work. The real
estate speculations the rapid transit cOmolna-
tons the political intrigues and the private
Jobs which have kept New FORK and Brooklyn
for so many years out of the possession ana
use of the great span on which their millions
have been heaped, are at last wearing out.
Next wear the bridge will be finished. But is
the man to whom more than any other belongs
the shame of all these delays, of all this waste.
of ali these jobs, to have the proud Office OF
handing over the completed structure to the
cities which he has deceived and obstructed
and bailled7 An investigation OF the manage
ment of the bridge has been begun. IL the man
vino more than any other should bear the
blame for the faults of that management now
to be promoted 10 the highest seat
Previous boards Of trustees of the Brooklyn
Bridge were successful ia bringing upon them
selves thick clouds of condemnation and CON
tempt The present board has number OF
excellent men in It, But it has also some
members whom braying IN mortar could not
relieve of their f0olishness. If the latter class
should prevail upon their fellows to put Mr..
Kingsley in Mr.. Murphy's seat, while an in
vestigat0n which so closely concerns Mr..
Kingsley is on foot this board will earn for it.
self an ample share of the public censure and
contempt which have been so literally be-
slowed on its predecessors. If there is any
post Of honor for Mr.. Kingsley at this time
which we must he allowed to dOubt-it is most
certainly the private station.