New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-02-02
wuATBROOKLYN TALKS OF.
,eAp1SG TOPICS OF INTEREST IN NEW
vopK,s BIG NEIGHBoR ON LONG ISLAND.

- nm what is popularity known the Mayors
ah,rct has been generally anticipated that public
,n,erest In the matter has al time risen TO high
oint In fact the only point in connection with the
announcement OF the heads Of departments for the
coming two years to which attention has been specially
drccted has been the Police Department. and the
ouestion whether not Mayor Chaplin would yield
70 the demand of the Democratic politicians who con-
stitute the gang" for the removal Of Commissioner
Rel. While Mr.. Bell has not always pursued course
that entitled him 10 general approval his attempts 70
resist the pressure of the politicians on his depart
ment have the whole been exceedingly commend
able, and his management of the ponce
business has been efficient and saus-
factory. But by his course he made numerous
enemies, who determined if possible TO make an emu
Of his official existence Vigorous efforts IN ms pc
half were made by people who admired Mr. peti
course, but the politicians proved too powerful ior
the Mayor TO resist. Part OF the opposition 10 ION"
missioner Bell from the fact that ne was ap-
pointed as the successor of the late Thomas CarroH'
who g prime favorite with the gang ana "hoSo
displacement by Mayor Chaplin two years ago IL was
very hard for them to forgive forget In sense
they have taken their revenge on Carros successor
The new Police Commissioner. Mr. Hayden mas soou
reputation, although he is practically without cNpel
ence in public life, having served as PARK OOhihils
soner for the last six mOnthsan eXpernce t&t WouIu
not appear specially TO fit him for taking charge OF
the personal friend of the Mayor and with the tacit II
not open, understanding that he must not follow in
the footsteps OF Mr. Bell That he will be more
pliahle tool the hands Of the politicians who make
demands on the Police Department may be taken for
granted and friend Of tPe Mayors, and con-
cened for the latters political future, he will be GER
tain to do nothing that will interfere in the slightest
with the accomplishment Of Mr.. Chapin's designs,
through the grace and favor of Boss' Mclaughlin and
the men " work hand in hand with him.
Mr.. Chaplin has subjected himself to further severe
criticism in the retention of Fire Commissioner Ennis.
whose unftncss for the Office which he has held for
four years has been repeatedly proved. Ennis was
forced upon the Mayor two years ago as relic OF
the Whitney administration by the INSCRIPTIONS
gang and the same influence has prevented him
from being removed in the meantime. in spite OF his
lad record and the charges made against him. Now
it that he is to be kept in Office two years
longer. Mr.. Chapin's subserviency to the bad in
huences which dominate Kings County Democratic
politics. shown I'm such matter as this, Is deeply
deplored by his sincere friends and well-wsherS
Ennis certainly has done him great amount of harm
with intelligent people. and he will do him no credit
in the future. Furthermore, there is great reason 70
believe that the Mayor has not pursued the wisest
in keeping Commissioners Platt at the head OF
the Department of Buildings. Several recent occur
rences have cast diScredit this branch of the city
government especially the falling of the church wall
ThrOopave.. the collapse of building in Myrtle
ave, the violation of the law in running the bay
windows of a big nat-house the Heights over the
sidewalk. That the inspectors Of the Department are
lax and inefficient is not open to doubt, and it is
serted by good judges that Commissioner Plat, who
is advanced in years. does not keep abreast of modern
methods in building recognize the need of greater
than required TO insure safety thirty forty
years ago.
The difference between the methods pursued by
Mayor Chaplin and Mayor Low in making the ap
pointmentS at the beginning of their second terms is
somewhat striking. Mr. Chaplin named MS heads of
departments In three patches, more than week
eapsing between the first lot and the last Mr.. Low
following the law which requires the appointments to
be made by February announced his second cabinet
on that date. Mr.. Chaplin made only one change. Mr.
Low made four. Police Commissioner Jourdan was re
tired and Colonel John N Partridge who had been Fire
Commissioner for two years, took his place Ripley
Ropes, at his own request laid down the duties of
City Works Commissioner, and w. II. Fleeman ap-
pointed to the place having served City Treasurer
for the two preceding years In the Fire Department
Richard H. PoillOn, who had been Deputy Commits
sioner, promoted to Colonel Partridges place. and
A. d. wheelock was likewise promoted in the office Of
the City Treasurer Four years ago, now, the re-
tirement Of the Police Commissioner provoked much
comment; il was then understood that Mayor Low re
fused TO retain General Jourdan in the Police Depart
ment unless the latter gave up his private business
The demolition of the building in wlloughby-st. in
which Kerrigans auctionrooms are situated will com
pei Boss Mclaughlin once moro to :" move on In
The last ten or fifteen years he has made his head
quarters in various places, good part of the time in
public Offices over which his henchmen presided and
number of removals have been necessary in that time
for a variety Of From 866 to 1876 he spent
a cOOd deal Of ime in he If afa
Veeder. There he might be found during most of the
business hours OF the day, and thence issued his
orders and DEGREES When Mr.. Veeder went out of
Office the Boss moved into the Office of his brother
in law, County Auditor Fitzgerald. Subsequently he
took up his abiding place in the Office of the COrOners
and thus furnished frequent occasion for the remark
that he sitting upon the corpse Of the Democratic
party. For number of years now the auction-roOms
in WiIoughbyst. have furnished him with convenient
resting and doubtless he will regret the necessity
that calls for another change 1t is said that the
future may be provided for by having Kerrican's
aucon-rooms transferred TO the basement of the new
Democratic headquarters. the Thomas Jefferson Build
ing. which would certainly be convenient for McLaug
lin, as he would go with his old friend permanent
fixture of the place.
The new rule at the Brooklyn Library requiring
subscribers to give their names to attendant on
entering the readingroom appears TO work well. The
purpose is to make that the readingroom is not
used by persons who have no right there. Such a
regulation plainly needed, since the papers and
magazines have been used TO a considerable extent
by those who not subscribers. This was mani
fest injustice TO the subscribers and imposition on
the part OF the outsiders, who used the reading
and It's contents without paying for the privilege The
first day the notice requesting visitors to mention their
names to the attendant at the door was posted some
forty or fifty persons came in as usual read the
placard and turned away and since then there has
been complete cessation of the nuisance of long
standing. Not single subscriber has vet complained
of the regulation. 1t was manifestly innossibIe
for the attendant at the desk to know personally all
those who were properly entitled to the privileges Of
the reading groom, and some Of the regular corners
would keep coming in spite Of frequently repeaed
warnings and hints that in order to the room they
should become subscribers There was one case a
.anrc in ,rhic