New-York tribune., 1890-06-05
v1rOR CHAPIN UN4ASKED.

Navor Chapin's diScredtable course IN ap-
oin+;re Jacob Worth an Election Commis-
s;oror ;s eyplicabe on the theory that he Is a
candidate for Governor at the election OF next
wear. MIR. Mclaughlin has il in his power 10
=, ,ro,v the weight of the united Kings County
dolopation in favor Of that nomination. Mr.
Mclaughlin desired the appointment OF hr'
Worth. and it was made without reference 10
the wishes of the Republican General Com-
mittee or TO his qualifications and hthesS ior
the responsible duty OF directing the enforce
ment of the new election laws. Mayor Chap'h
i serving his second term at the City Hal, ana
doos NOT desire 10 be reelected. His ambition
j. now centred upon the Goyernorship' ana
Mr.. McLauChlinS active cooperation Is essen
tial 10 his hopes OF future prcferment. Ac-
cordinclv. he appoints a Mclaughlin Repub-
lican 10 a commission whore three Democrats
are needed to nullify the operations oi haIio'
reform and the new election laws
II has been easy for Mayor Chapin 10 ailo"
Mr. NcLauchin 10 have his way in this mat
ter because he has learned by experience that
compliancc with the DEGREES OF ho>NiSm does
not seem to injure his political reputation.
During his first term in the Mayor Once ne
submiSsivcly took his orders from the lhng oi
thc Kings County Democracy when he alp"lh'-
cd MIR. Ennis 10 the Fire Commission ana re-
Organized the Park Commission; ana MS SUD
servience 10 the worst elements OF MS paf'!
WAS condoned by the town when he was re
elected by an increased majority. Ills al
mirrors many Of them Republicans, were ready
with their excuses. and apparently there was
mo abatement of public confidence in his IN
tcprity and in the sincerity OF his professions
as municipal rcformcr. The plea was offered
that As 4 party man, he could not afford 10
antaronize the gang leaders, and that a certain
amount of "p1actica politics wa, indiSpen-
sable. His lack of independence, his scan
dalous appointments, and his betrayals OF pub
lie trust were CLOSED over as ulvIa' ohehceN'
lie undoubtedly assumed, when he appointed
Mclaughlin Commissioner OF Elections that
his conduct would again he condoncd by an III
dulpcnt public with equal feXibility.
Navor Chapin may have left out Of his cal
culations. however. the important fact that IN"
neople of Brooklyn and of this state are
aroused TO the necessity Of purifying the SyS-
TEN Of elections. The Balot-Rctorm Act has
becn passed after an arduous struggle III several
successive Legislatures. and two other election
lovs have been enacted for securing an ac-
curate registration Of voters and the suppress
sion of bribery and corrupt practices. Inc
citizens Of this State are very much IN earnest
over this matter, and Brooklyn Is the last town
in which systematic attempts to manipulate
the reform laws and TO prevent the object OF
notification of the ballot will be tolerated.
When Mayor Chaplin appointed Mr. Worth a.
Mr.. McLaughlins and Governor Hills Repuh-
ican ally on the Election Commission he DIS
closed the inconsistency of his professions and
his lack of sympathy with practical reforms
and clean and wholesome politics. That was
an outrage upon public morals which Will not
readily be forgiven in Brooklyn, and 1t VIII
bo denounced throughout the state when the
next Governor is to be elected.