New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-11-29
known and appreciated the States destiny rs winter
resort u sure 10 be more and more developed
TALK ABOUT CITY POLITICS.
KEENAN,, THOMPSON AND JACOB SHARP
DISCUSSING PROPOSED BILLS AFFECTING MUNICH


DISCUSSING PROPOSED BILLS AFFECTING MuNiCi-
PAL DEPARTMENTS.
Patrick Keenan, and other OF John Keenans asso-
cates ridcuIe any suggestion that John Will return
from Canada and turn infomer against JACOB sharp
ale is not made OF that kind Of stuff, said one OF
them yesterday. Gle has plenty Of money, s2JO,Ooo
at least: and he can live comfortably In CANADA
until this thing blows over" The friends of Hubert
O. Thompson and his associates in control OF the
Democratic canvass in 1884 uneasy over the
reports about sharp's explanation as to what was
done with the money alleged TO have been raised to
corrupt the Aldermen. The Board was organized In
1884 in the interest Of Thompson and the County
Democracy. Thompson's term as Commissioner OF
Public Works expired that year and as the Aldermen
had the confirming power, his first care was to Sc
cure the control OF majority Of tho Board to pre-
vent Mayor Edison from filling his place. John
Keenan, was the agent who made the combination In
tho Board in Thompsons interest. Knowing that
Thompson had control of the majority Sharp ia said
10 have first gone TO him, and that his dealings were
with Keenan, through Thompson. II IL said That
sharp contributed large sums through Thompson for
use in the Democratic National Committee in 1884,
and that he will claim that the money he gave was
for the purpose Of elccting Cleveland. How to meet
this testimony IL pulling some OF thompson
friends. There is question that Thompson fur
nished money to the Democratic National Com
mitiee than any other member OF 1t, but how much
of it sharp's money and how much that Of Flynn,
Cunningham and other favored contractors is said to
he unknown 1t is common Talk among the pol
icians that the District Attorneys Office has been
trying TO shield Thompson In the trial Of the Alder
men. But 1t is reported that the defence is prepar
ing bring this matter and also TO try TO make IT
aprear that the Aldermen held meetings to consider
propositions from the Broadway Railroad Company
in which William c. Whitney and Others were IN
terested, and that these meetings misunderstood
TO have something to do with saarp's Broadway Sur
face Railroad Company. But 1t Sharps com
fbat
to be a sufficient answer to any testimony Of this
kind that may lie given by Sharp.
The presence In the city during the last two weeks
Of many members OF the Leg stature from the interior
Of the State. who came to talk over the election OF
a United States Senator, has been made use OF in
connection with proposed legislation affecting the
city. Many proposed amendments to the City Con
solidstion act have been discussed, and there Is
strong probability that some OF them will pass.
Among these is proposed by Senator
Reilly TO make the President Of the Department Of
Taxes and Assessments an elective officer. lie Is
now member of the Board OF Estimate, and on this
ground the Senator thinks that he should be elected
a. il virtually now gives the Mayor Two votes IN the
Board. The IamIlany members viii favor this DILL
and also Others 10 make the Corporation Counsel,
Commissioner OF Public Works AMI Cham Grain
elective. somo of the Republicans also favor these
bins If they we're passed GoSeInor Hiil, II Is
favor Of elective officers Thls would give the George
iall. 1t IS proposed to leave the power OF removal
with the Mayor, as at present. 1t Is held by the al
NOcates OF these bills that the Mayor would DO more
likely 10 hold these officials to strict accountability
If he did not appoint them
The term OF the Assessment Commission will ex
pire in December, and though an effort Will be made
10 extend IT, there apl to be small probability oil
success, Justice DOnOhue has already refused n
motion to that effect. Tho power lies with the
Supreme Court. One Of the Lilis under discussion
ntendeI to abolish the Board of Assessors and the
Board for the Revision and Correction OF Assess
ments and create Board which Will com
bine the powers now exercised by these TWO Doarus
and the Assessment Commission. The B0ar OF
Assessors is now a bureau in the Tax Department,
though il has legitimate connection with that de-
partmcnt. 1t only has authority TO apporton Wlthih
unescrlbed limits the amount Of assessment for
local imurOi The Boari Of Revision can cor
rect errors only 10y sending assessment list back
lower to make reductions only on lists confirmed
previous to 1880.
Another proposed measure which meets with gen,
era favor Is one to reconstruct the Department OF
Public Works. IL il now too large and unweldy for
effective administration. Mayor Grace, who has
studying the problem, tn nks that tho care Oh
the water supply OF city should be mtrustcd TO
a new department. and that the Bureau for the
collection of Water Rents should be transierreu 10
of the streets and roads in the annexed
district transferred from the Park Department TO the
Public Works, caving the Park Department to care
for the PARIS and the streets surrounding them,
which would be its legitimate work
There il also talk Of further legislation in regard
to the Aqueduct Commission. II Is proposed TO
make the Mayor a member of the Commission, and
10 make other changes, and provide that tho Com
missioners must not engage in other business.