New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-09-20

LOCAL ISSUE or GREAT IMPORTANCE
Tho fight for the Mayoralty in the coming
contest in this city will be tho issue OF most
prominence; but it will not be the only one
of tremendous Importance. Popular excite
ment will be aroused over the race between
the MAYOR whom handicapped Tammany Hall
il compcllcd to vindicatc if it can. and any
onponcnt or opponents whom it is possible to
name against him with any show OF success
but vital interests of the citizens and taxpayers
are involved in the contest for the Controiler-
Shin Political interest will be directed chlcily
to the Mayoralty fight; the moral sentiment
of the people will be aroused by the ex'raor.
binary spectacle presented i'll the dlctation OF
Maypr Grants denomination by Boss VINO
was paid for former nominations IN Silts
drawn from the fat fees of an office previously
given him in like manner by the same
person. But taxpayers generally will he pro-
foundlv interested in the decision as to whether
or not Mr. Croker will elect Controller of
the civ willing to see him repaid for Mayor
Grants denomination out of public funds or
public Office fees.
II is notorious that Tammany Hall has been
most anxious to secure control OF the Finance
Departmcnt This anxiety is i'll concealed
under the claim that to secure it is to cripple
hopclessly its rival organization OF the county
Democracy but the real purpose is deeper than
this. and more dangerous to taxpayers than to
any mere rival faction. The Controller
shin TODAY is even more important to the
"Grant Ring" than it was TO the "Iwccd
Ring" 1t is now. as then, the Keystone whrh
NAV soldfy the political arch which the
"Grant Ring; is constructing. With as rockies,
disregard of its foundations rs III" wee"
Ring" displayed twenty years age" It's pos
session will give Tamnany Hall, not only ID"
large patronage ut the disposal OF tne various
burcauS of the Finance Department. but VIII
break down the last and only barrier to I'M
limited and cXtravagant expenditures III inc
BOARD of Public Works and other departments
in whose present organization ana management
the public have little confidence
The Controller of the city of \ow-lork is
much more powerful official than he was III IN"
"Tweed Ring" days. He is alone AT once the
auditing and disburSing officer OF the ely. lie
has to consult and is rcspon,ible to no one f"I
the payments Of claims which he decides upon.
lie NAV or may not ask the advice OF IN" '"r-
poratnn Counsel, and h. may. even al = 'ah!h"
il DISREGARD his coEiisc> altogether. IH!N
great power has been vested for three years IN
the hands Of political opponent "i ~" mayor
and CORPORATION Counsel. and Wiih"ii proving
an ob,truc,ioni>; to public business hc has been
barrier to Tammany cXtIaIa"ancr.
Give Tammany control OF tins important
office and this protection is blok"n DOWN. -nch
| q danycrO,,, issue has not been presented TO
this people since ConnoIvS election a. Con-
| troller And il is no answer that lamIh;iI
does not propose to elect a dishonest Con
! trollcr like Connolly. The question Is rather
can Mr. Croker and Tammany Mayor and Il
Tammany Controller, however honestly dis
posed they may be- restrain the iavcno'l> crowd
which has fastened itself upon the faction?
Sweeney couldn't do it i'll his day, and We djn I
believe Croker can in his time.
| In the selection of ticket or tickets to OPP
nose Tammany Hall sight should not be lost
of this paramount issue Of the local CAM al"n.
A STUPID young official who shares his fees with
the political manipulation who made him what
he is politically can do no mischief half 50
great as that which Controller could per
petrate if too weak ~ resist the attacks always
being made on the city treasury. We need
| faithful watchdog of the treasury and 1t Is
| best not to select him from the pack which ii
NAV be reasonably feared will be eager 10 prey
upon the finances if they are placed within
| reach. Let us be sure of a Watchdog from
some other kennel than 9ammany Hail One
such was enough twenty years ago