New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-05-19
RIPLEY ROPES DEAD.
A SKETCH OF HIS LONG, USEFUL AND HON
ORABLE CAREER.

Ripley Ropes age seventy, died at his home NO.
40 Picrrepontst, Brooklyn, yesterday alUerIooh' a'
Q O'Clock from heart failure. lie mad nech IN eNeer
lent health for the last fifty years unth nay D. wno
he attacked By the disease when caused MS
No definite arrangements have been mane ior "io
funeral Int the burial will be at salem, pass
Mr. Ropes was born in Salem, his family being ono
of those identified with the early growth OF New
England institutions. lie was the youngest OF hVo
brothers. From ten 10 fifteen ne ac'eo d. 0as'.e
for Salem newspaper, and then learned d uDu.'
Afterward he went South where he engaged IN ousf
ness for time, but returned 10 saleH wiio'o
he lived until 1868. He at one time acting mayor
Of his native town and held various o'ier o'''0'
during his life there.
Mr. Ropes came to Brooklyn at the age OF forty
three, and engaged in the South American trade IN
New-Yorl with his brother. Reuben W. ropes III
which the firm is stil interested in 1917 Whe'
the municipal reform movement began In brooNS"'
Mr. Ropes elected Alderman by the Kepuol'''.,'
OF the First Ward. lie paid strict attention 10 P"o"
affairs disregarded party lines and pene'ed ''"'
municipal matters should be settled without partisan
sb,n His course commended itself 10 both parties
and he was reelected In 1874. The Aldermen a'
that time also served as Supervisors and Mr. ROPES
was brought into direct contact with the auars Vi
both city and county. lie was the hepupho''.
candidate for Controller in 1876, but was oeieateu
by william Burrill. resolution was onered aV 'no
close of his second term in the Common Counch Oh
that year, by Demas Strong which expressed ing
esteem and appreciation Of his associates.
Mr.. Ropes was appointed member OF the sta'e
BOARD Of Commissioners Public Charities In 1877 oy
Governor Lucus Robinson, 10 fill an unexpired TERM
and was appointed by Governor Cornell, III 1901 III
a fun term. In this Office he was able 10 40 ''iu''
good work for Kings County, where nc fouhd 'o u.'
desirable system of outdoor relief prevalent A".
sum Of 100000 set aside annually by the Doatu
OF Estimate to relieve the necessities OF the poor III"
CITY was divided into four districts at that time eaeh
with bureau of clerks who drew "a day each 'ie
year around, although each worked only seventy days
By this system most of the provisions and coal went
to those who did not need Them
At Mr. Ropes's suggestion the Board had onehalt
OF this amount stricken off IN one year. ana had "e
remaining $4,000 stricken from the appropriations
for the following year. In this way vicious sysVe'i
was abolished, which had caused needless expense VI
100000 to the taxpayers Of Kings County IN nVe
years At least 81 900 has been saved to the
county in the last twelve years by Mr.. Ropess acuoh
Much also accomplished by him in the way Oh
reform in the care of the county charges in the Aims
house. Charity Hospital and County Insane Asylum
Under the Board Of seven Commissioners mucn money
was squandercd, and the inmates of these Institutions
were treated in outrageous manner. These abuses
were so ventilated by Mr. Ropes that the names OF the
Commissioners became reproach in the county. BY
new law their number reduced to three, and their
appontment was vested in the supervisor large.
Those guilty of corrupt practices were brought to trial
Int escaped punishment by taking advantage OF legal
techncaty BY these reform methods the expenses OF
CARRYING on the charities Of the county were reduced
fully one-half Mr. Ropes continued TO look after the
Unfortunate persons in The county institutions, though
his term as State Charities Commissioner expired last
year. ,., - Al. ,,,,,or b,
cand date for Mayor OF Brooklyn, at a mass meeting
I'm the rink at which Mr.. Beccher made an eloquent
speech. lie accepted the nomination and the lou,,g
Republican Club promised him its support. Inc lie,
publican nominating convention could not be INDUCED
10 make Mr. Ropes its candidate however, ana Genea
Tracy was nominated by il. There were also Two
Democratic candidates in the field. An effort was
made to unite the divided Republicans by those
who believed in partisanship in municipal aftars
and Mr. Ropes induced seth Low to consent 70
become candidate, on condition that both General
Tracy and he should withdraw. AS a result OF TINS
withdrawal Mayor Low elected.
Mr. Ropes aided the new Mayor in every way and
became Commissioner of City Works He was at the
time at the head of the Brooklyn Trust Company:
which he had succeeded in placing In good financial
condition, and at first hesated 10 add to his laoora
He accepted the office, however and remained In y
until the end of Mr.. Lows first term lie introduced
many reforms in the department and succeeded In
cutting down expenses greatly. Mr.. Low desired him
10 remain during his second term, but Mr.. Ropes
services were needed by the trust company, and nc
returned to IL and had since been at its head