New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-10-21
szIIL THIS BE TAMMANY TOWN

Il il doubtful IL the sober, orderly, law
abiding citizens of New-York fully realize what
would be the results of Tsmmany triumph
rort month At no time since the evil ascend.
ency of the Tweed Ring have all the great
offices and all the important departments been
wholly in the grip Of one political faction.
There is so wide diversity in length OF terms
and in dates when terms end, that In past
wears only part OF the administration has been
changed by the results of each election. When
a Tammany Mayor has come in he has found
himself restrained and kept in check by ad-
verse votes of political opponents in the Board
of Estimate and Apportionment, in the Sink
iue.Fund Commission, and In others OF the
boards, departments and commissions through
which so largely he exercises the powers con-
ferred upon him. When the Mayor was an
independent Democrat as was Mayor Have
never, or q County Democrat, as was Edward
Cooper, he was able to carry out plans which
he wished to make effectual chiefly through the
force of public sentiment behind him, which
might move his associates or these boards and
commissions, and the heads Of departments
who were not appointed by him, to yield o re-
luctant assent to his suggestions. Since the
Tweed period New-York has been at no time
entirely helpless and PROSTATE at the feet OF
axy partisan body. But If the Tammany ticket
is successful in November, the FOrteenth-st.
bosses will have this town absolutely at their
mercy.
Until Mayor Grant made the Police Board
partisan the Mayor Of the city had little more
influence or power in that department than any
priyate citizen had. Every one knows that the
machinery of the District Attorneys office, the
Police Department and the Police Courts may
he used as q most potent engip/ for grinding
out votes in enormous numbers for the faction
which may control those great agencies. ms
ia true also of the Excise Board. 1t is an
axiom in government that strong, viglant,
earnest minority is the most useful and
valuable of restraints upon an aggressive I'M
scrupnlous, tyrannical majority. II the voters
of New-Yorlx decide next month to give ram
many the District-AttOrney office and almost
every other seat of authority in the town IN
addition to the offices which it now holds, they
will be bringing upon themselves damage and
iniury that they will have lasting cause to de-
More. With Tammany firmly intrenched in
the Mayoralty in the District-Attorney ship, in
tbe Boards of Police, Excise, Docks. Parks and
Taxes, in the Schools and in the Fire Depart
ment. in the Board of Estimate and Apportlon-
ment, in the Department of Public Works, and
in every nook and corner every part and parcel
of the metropolis, then we shall suffer from an
era of oppression, injustice, extravaganza,
pr0digaty and outrage that will make the
country and the world stare aghast.
Tammanys present attitude before the spols
of this rich capital is like that OF Lord Cllve
in the treasure houses of India. The bosses
are astonished at their own moderation. But
if Tammany captures the District Attorney s
office and the few remaining fortresses that
have 30 far resisted its assaults, then, In
deed, will the sacking and the footing begin.
vote for Tammany on the first Tuesday OF
November means approval of the shameful past
and unbounded license to plumber for the
future. On the other hand, if Mr. Scott and
all the candidates on the union ticket are
elected the ravages of the Tammany freebcot-
ers will be kept within moderate bounds
Mayor and a District Attorney opposed to ram
many can do much to lessen its capacity for
mischief. while the President Of the Board OF
Aldermen, like the Mayor, has vote in the
Board of Estimate and Appointment, which
decides upon every city expenditure. victory
of the union candidates would result in the
purgation of many of the important depart
ments. Out would 60 the hosts OF Beezebub
that now hold high revel there. We might in
time even get rid of the barkecpers III the
Registers office.