New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-03-26
THE GRAND JURT'S PRESENTMENT.

What the city government inevitably comes
IN in tho clutches of associations organized for
the purpose of making money out of it is shown
70 an extent in the presentmcnt made ycstcr-
dav by the Grand Jury. Nothing that the
Grand jury saws will surprise anybody. 1t
shows that the Sheriff has been making about
$50. 900 a year, net, a large part, probably inc
larger part, being obtained unlawiully. Ncii'
why not? Nobody suppoSes that Iammahy
Hall elects Shcrffs for fun. stu less does
any one suppose that Tammany Shenn Is
going TO be honest. conscientious and faithful
n the nublic interest. He was put in Office TO
squeeze from the taxpayers and the public gen
orally inst rs much money rs he could possibly
squeeze for Tammany and himself, the only
qualification being that he must use enough
Judgment to escape being indicted for any crime
he might commit Other city Offices are hIied
mon the same understanding Municipal
oilicchoders, big and little, are expected to
steal whenever they get the chance and are
looked upon within the halls and organizations
as stupid fools if they don't
The Grand Jury's report. though made upon
facts asccraincd by their Independent inquiry
i really nothing but summary OF the evil
dcnce taken before the senate investigating
Committee 1t explains the Sheriff business
and his lawful sources OF income. II then
shows what he and his deputies get by eAor-
ton and bribery and how such methods are
carried into effect. II shows that operations
Of thi, sort are mainly conducted against the
husinoss unfoltunatos whose affairs. in process
Of settlement pass in trust through the Nncrih %
office In theory. Of course. the sheriff Is =
guardian. a protector of the rights OF both
debtor and creditor That is what the law
makes him and what he would be if he were
honest and faithful. But being put IN once
for the express purpose of plundeung all WI"
10 busiuc>S with il. he enjoys by these very
laws exceptional opportunities 10 carry ont ms
object He and his deputies become. under the
halls" insuilaiion. a band Of legal hycnaS. and
they plumber the property they were sworn 70
protect Just 50 far aS they think they can pun
der it without going TO prison.
This is the Grand Jurys story. II i nor
new. II is what everybody who keeps IN
formed concerning city affairs supposed to y"
the truth. And now. what Of il? How long
will any considerable body Of the public keep
+, in mind? Long enough 10 pass remedial
and corrective laws? Possibly; but We are
none too sure even OF that. Long enough to
90 70 the poll, and vote against the existence
! Of these organizations for pnndcr' Long
enough 10 carry on 4 sincere and sustained aS
tation against them? Long enough TO prose
cu,o sucb = war rs will destroy both TammanN
Hall and the County Democracy compelling a
return to the pure and simple political methods
in which each man has vote and each No''
an coual influence That j. what ought To-
be the case II might bee If the honorable ''nn
mcnt of the city chose 20 assert iiNci. ne
question is. not what 10 do with the Sh'rns OF
the Dock Commissioners. or the Aiderncn' hu'
how 10 dcmolish the vile system OF boss rue
which has caused all these iniamcS. ana when
will continue 70 cause them 50 long as II en-
dures II isa system which generates ihieIeN
because thieves are necessary 10 u. j. hFc>
on thunder. and cannot live without plundcr.
The present exposures therefore. are only an
incident. There arc plenty Of nests As foul a.
the Sheriff..