New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-10-22
MAYOR CHAPIN'S DENOMINATION

Mavor Chapin has earned his denomination
by servility to the Boss and the gangs VINO
control Democratic policy in Brooklyn; and he
obtained it without struggle and with FAC
titiouS show of enthusiasm. When he hrst
caught sight of the Mayoraty as convenient
stepping-stone to the GovernorShip he had the
reputation of being reformer who would carry
out the non-partsan policy of Mayor Low, that
had been abandoned by Mayor Whitney. Mr..
Mclaughlin regarded his candidacy with suS-
picion for a while, but finally consented to has
first nomination, after taking an accurate meas
ure of the man. Soon after his election his
relation Of subordinatiOn to the chief manager
of the Democratic party was revealed by con-
spicuouSly bad appointments made at the dlc-
tation of the gangs. The Mayor has known
from the first that his political future hes IN
the hollow Of the BoSS'S hand, and he has
neither asserted his independence nor Tecog-
nized his obligations to the city. A Shevin-
lied administration is what Brooklyn has had
under Mayor Chaplin and it is what the town
will continue to have if he be reelected. The
recent partisan appointments to the Park Com
mission after the Mayor had violated his per-
sonal pledges TO a Republican Commissioner at
the dictation of Messls Mclaughlin and Shev-
lin demonstrate the precise character of his
relations to the powers behind the municipal
throne. 4 Democratic Mayor Who is ambl-
t;ous for future preferment, as Mayor Chaplin
undoubtedly is, cannot afford to be his own
master. If he resists the Boss, the signal will
be given to the nominating convention, and
successor will be named in his place. No such
signal has been raised this fall because the
NIavor has taken pains, while postunng as a
reformer and municipal fnancer, to give the
city nothing better than a Sheylinized admin
istj alton. His denomination has followed as
a matter of course.
There is another reason which has Influenced
MIR. Mclaughlin in regarding Mayor Chaplin 5
cand dacy for second term with unaffected
interest as well as cynical amusement The
Mayor has been useful man in proposing
various measures of municipal policy which in
volve heavy expenditures for public works
and unrivaIed opportunities for distributing
business and patronage for the good OF the
party. So Influential and successful has he
been in bringing his measures before the Legs
lature that his policy has received full sanction
from the opposite party, and the ground is now
We do not c1fticise Mayor Chaplin for pro-
posing these measures. Indeed, it is ndoubt-
edlv true that the comprehensive policy which
he has favored is urgently required by the
present needs and future interests of the city.
But it is a policy which ought not to be com
mitted to an administration that is controlled
by Mr. Mclaughlin and his associates. The
people Of Brooklyn will assume heavy re-
sponsbility at this time If they re-elect Mayor
Chaplin and arm his Shcylinized administration
with power to carry out these costly local i'm
provements The city needs now imperative
" a chief executive who will be his own
master and be responsible only to the moral
sense of the community which elects him.
Colonel Baird will be that type of Mayor The
present incumbent, if reelected, will continue
to be Mr.. McLaughn's deputy.