New-York tribune., 1889-10-29
PRACTICAL BROOKLYN QUESTIONS

MIR. Mclaughlin, when asked early in July
to explain the juggle over the Park appoint
ments, automatically suggested to an inquisi-
tive reporter that it would be well for him to
see the Mayor Of Brooklyn. Whereupon that
sterling Democratic journal, "The Eagle" re-
torted with the significant question: "Who is
the Mayor of BROOKLYN" As Mayor Chaplin
had been publicly charged with abandoning his
executive functions in consequence of the inn
Fortunate demands of James Shevlin, a gang
politician of the lowest grade, the relevancy of
that question could not be disputed For a
week, or longer, that excellent journal cOntin-
ued to probe the subject judicously contending
that if Shevlin were Mayor de facto it would be
as well for the Democratic party to nominate
him for the office, and TO endcavor to make him
Mayor de jure. At the same time it warned
it's party that a continuance of "Sheylinzed
administration" with Chapinized interpreta-
tion of things' was an anomaly that would i'm
peril the chances Of the local Democracy in the
autumn elections.
If the question "Who is the Msyor?n was
relevant when Mayor Chaplin had been in office
for eighteen months, it is even more pertinent
when he is seeking a second term. Nominal
didate for Mayor of Brooklyn; but if he be
elected, who will be Mayor of Brooklyn? Will
Shevn be the Mayor in disguise, as he was
admitted to be by "The Eagle' last July?
That is question which the citizens of Brook
yn should take under deliberate consideration
during the next eight days. With the nOmina
ton for the GovenorShp dangling before his
eyes-a nomination which can only go to him
with the unanimous consent of delegation
held in the hollow of McLaughlin's hand Mayor
Chaplin cannot be depended upon to resist the
malign influences Of ring tyranny and gang
intrigueS. He will continue if elected, to be
Mayor only in title. Shevlin will be the un-
elected but all powerful Mayor of the town.
The Eagle" last July declared that the
administration Of an emetc to Hades could not
throw up more deSpicable political quantity
than James Shevlin." Even while that power
full Democratic organ was denouncing him, he
was cloSeted with Mayor Chapin every day and
maintaining most intimate relations with "the
next candidate for Governor Those same
intimate relations will inevitably continue if
Mayor Chaplin be nOminally reelected and
Shevlin be armed with power of appointment
and general administrative functions. If the
people of Brooklyn are satisfied with this con-
dition Of affairs, they will re-elect Mr.. Chaplin
and thereby reappoint his working double.
Before deciding this question, they have a
right to know how much the Shevlinized adj
ministration is costing them. Ordinarily when
a candidate for Mayor seeks reelection, he SrO-
duceS the tax-rates for his two years of office
and allows the town an opportunity for testing
the practical efficiency of his economic policy.
This year the taX-rate has been withheld under
most suspicious circumstances. 1t is a matter
of common rumor that in spite of an enormous
increase in property valuations the rate will be
run up to S3-higher than it has been for a
dozen years. II this were not so, Mayor Cha
pins political managers would lose no time in
furnishing the public with conclusive evidence
Of municipal economy under his administration.
The fact that the tax-rate is held back con-
trary to precedents until the elections shall have
been held betokens unusually high taxation as
the result of two years of Sbevnized admin
stlaton. The people Of Brooklyn may tale it
for granted that the privilege of keeping Mr..
Chaplin in the field as candidate for Governor
and Shevln in the back entries of the Mayors
Office as the real ruler of the town is one that
costs a great deal of money. Their next tax
receipts will demonstrate that Chapinized
ShevliniSm is not "reform on the cheap"
n l,;a nt,ro1 o1nrI -naDh ho