New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-07-29
TALK OF THE TOWN.
as TO POLITICS AND STREET CARS.
IN WHICH THE SHADOWS GATHER DARKLY
AROITND MR.. MAURICE j. POWER


The Hon Maurice J. Power IS getting himself ready
for tumble he may not think that this is what he
IS doing. Maiestes who tumble usually rush on their
fate unknowing and unbelioving. Caesar dsrcgarded
the friendly hint that he would better stop home
during the Idcs Of March. Richard III laughed at
Margarets curse, and although the ghosts Of his
dered victims did for moment give his conscience
twist st he got It, told himself that SOFT he did
but dream, and started of for Bosworth in quite
cheerful humor Napoleon was in high feather at
Waterloo, and Leo tho morning OF the third
day at Gettysburg fully expecting spend the next
Sunday in Washington. So, you Sec Is not the ex-
perience of great that they know when their doom
Is at hand They are often cockiest Just before the
fatal hour and the Hon. Boss Of the County Democ
racy short OF sight than other less interes
Observers HIS only repetition Of the of Caesar
Richard and the rest
And yet think he realizes that the political horizon
IS dark He pooh-poohs the defec ton of Mr. Purroy
and Ed. Kearney. Well, what else can he dol He
must pooh-pooh IT, The cold fact remains that It has
been terrible blow TO him and his organization 1t
Is the beginning Of that physical disintegraton which is
sure 10 follow moral decay The only excuse for the eS
istencc Of the County Democracy gone when ceases
10 enjoy measure of public respect 1t sprang into
being rebukc against the boss rule and corruption
that alleged against Tammany Hail. 1t presents
the spectacle to-day Of being far bossrdden and
corrupt than the organization 10 undertook to destroy
The very evils 1t promised TO blot out rampant In
Its own camp 1t makes laugh TO read the mani
tcstoes It issued when 1t organized, in which
purity, democracy honesty and virtue cited
wa.chwords, and in which it promised in those signs
TO pulvcrize Tammany Now, enfeebled and disgraced
weighed down with boodlers, its honored leaders in
prison in exile malodorous with wretched scandals
and split up into angry factions It its knees before
the organization it going to blot ont, begging in
the of harmonys for share of the spells.
Maurice J. Power is not wholly responsible for this
rwka citM . De AtO fn 1a~~
the wicked conduct of Hubert o. Thompson and to
the diplomacy and cool judgment of Richard Croker
William Il. Grace, too, has had hand in IT, His
utterly selfish Vaccinations did much to help along
the discredit into which Thompson, keenan, and
the boodlng gang brought the County Democracy
during Mayor EdsOns term Of Office. GIaces two
years of maladroit trickery, by which he cunningly
designed to disguise himself as reformer and to
build up such power outside Of both factions
would compel them to pay homage TO him, had the
effect Of exposing the County Democracy's nfanlies
well his too artful game. 1t
hapless legacy that the death OF Thompson left to
Maurice J. Power and yet he might have developed
It to the highest advantage had he possessed any
genuine ability grounded on high moral purpose.
But his leadership has been characterized by nothing
except a logged peEistency In the commission
Of blunders. lie has of the personal attract
iveness that bound men 10 Thompson and enabled
him to achieve temporary successes. He has neither
intellectual moral force,-nothng. in fact, but
q certain crusty determination have his way
If It sinks the shp-which, indeed, 1t IS fast
doing There exists class Of men who possess a
certain stolid guinness which is often supposed to
indicate GOODNESS of judgment and certain blind
pertinacty which is a good counterfeit of rcsoiu-
ton and frmness Mr.. Power IS Of this class.
The quality Of his mental equipment is decidedly
Inferior but he adheres to its conclusions stoutly
as though he blest with a penetration which
enabled him to see through all the mists that in
terfered with ordinary sight. This stupid stubborn
ness reminds me of remark made once at a dinner
table where happened 10 be present 1t was in the
house of a gentleman whose dainty and
fined surroundings superlatvey exquisite
as make him almost a nuisance to HIS friends.
An offence to taste in hts mind was worse than
murder In his family vas
maiden aunt, past sixty years nf age.
distinguished for her dry, irresistible wit, and the
quickness with which it shot forth when anything
offered target Some exceedingly hot congomcra-
hon, forget what it placed before us,
and without waiting for it TO COOL she took mouth
ml queer sound escaped her and everybody
looked up Her cheeks were dlstended, her face was
red. aud in another moment 10 the amazement ana
modification her nephew. she dropped the scorch-
ing mouthful incontnently upon her plate My friend
looked his aunt aghGst. but picking up glass OF
wa5er she coolly remarked, some fools would have
swallowed that !"
Dsownng the epthot, but applying the ohserva-
ton, am constrained to say that Maurice J. Power,
having undertaken to swallow hot dumping, would
complete the job II he wrecked his ehtirc sys-
TEN doing II. He IS entitled TO all the credit that
attaches to this kind OF pertinaciy.
The condition Of the County Democracy renders 1t
too easy a prey TO expect any mercy from MI Rich
ard Croker. Despite the Presidents positive de-
mands that the factions shall effect local union
and postpone the settlement Of their differences I'M
I'll some less perlous season, the probabilities all
all fba lad
been sagaclous enough 10 make peace with Purroy
and Kearney had he consented to get down Of his
high horse and 10 drop the hot mosel Of pride he was
trying to swallow. he might have compelled Tam
many to make terms. But his only chance now is 10
accept whatever Mr. Croker consents to give ana the
Tammany leaders disposition is none too generous.
One thing is certan-the time has passed when any
compromise can be looked for the Mayoralty can
didatc Tammany's must be accepted, or cDe
issue 90 to the voters Who Tammany's candl-
date viii be is therefore Of the utmost Importance
have the best reasons for knowing that Mr. Croker
asked Dc Lanccy Nicoll TO accept the nomination
THIS, Of course, meant war to the knife with the
County Democracy. But Mr. Ncol was not attracted
by the proposition. He minated that he was poor
and needed to keep in the Constant practice Of his
profession He sagacously observed. too, that the
Mayors Office was funeral vault that It's occupant
was Inevitably called upon to make the attempt TO
serve either God or Mammon II he served God the
politicians made an end of him If Mammon the PEG
PIE had 10 further use for him. lie was right.
Look at the list Oakley Hall, Ely, Cooper. Edson,
Grace Hcwitt-dead men all so far as political avail
ability is concerned Oakley HaIl IS type Of those
who Mammon; where IS he today Hewitt
has made a brave effort to be good Mayor; what is
his reward7 Grace undertook TO serve both God
and Nammon and distrusted by the people and the
politicians In an equal degree. And yet he Is By no
willing to abandon the field. On the con
trsry, his dexterous fingers and agile brain as
hard at work as ever / fancy be realizes now that
Mr. Cleveland simply toyed with him for purpose,
and having accomplished the purpose, has definitely
abandoned him TO his fate. 1t ono
time generally understood that the President
wished Grace to be nominated for Governor.
That pretence IS now entirely abandoned His own
prize being now assured, Mr.. Cleveland is unwilling