New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-03-15

Sit down. Mr.. O'Meagher-there. near the win
dow. where you can get that Jersey view. Fine,
isn't it? You were asking, minute ago.
whether I had been long in politics No,
haven't. When | was elected TO the State Sem
! ate last fall tasted the joys of office for the
first time, and for the last, too, maybe.
Shouldn't wonder" the Boss replied. shortly.
/" if you 90 to doing such foolish things as you
done yesterday. Now. whisht a Bit" he continued.
as tie young Senator began to speak. You're
a young fellow just starting out in politics.
I'm oldish, and I've seen a good deal They say
you want to make a name for yourself. That's
good. | like that. I've helped many young
man, and | can help you. But you're not start
ing right You're getting everybody down on
you. See?'
NO." replied the Senator: mot yet
What this city wants. replied the Boss, is
Home Rule We don't want dctaton from
Albany. We don't want them countrymen COM
ing down here and making q fuss. We don't
want no investigations. Now look-a-here, you
take my word for it, we don't want 'cm-see p
Mr.. OMeagher had been addressing these remarks,
apparently, to the Jersey view. But, as he closed
them, he also closed his left eye and the other
he bent in a most convincing way upon Mr. Van
TaSscl
no." replied the Senator; not yet
Then Mr.. O'Mcagher closed both his eyes and
drew his fingers over them.
Il am told" said Van TasSel. that the Public
Works Department is shockingly corrupt ! am
told that its accounts are dishonesty kept; that
its principal contractors Tammany politicians.
and that they get two or three times the money
that their work is worth. | told that several
hundred men are kept on the Departments pay
rolls whose services the city neither requires nor
IL. 81, ei,,l-
holes the waste of money in the Public Works in
fully 30 per cent of its appropriation. If these
things are they should be exposed
Mr. ONlcagher looked at the young Senator
with all the keenness of which he was capable
and for which he was justly noted. He was en-
dcavOring to make up his mind whether Van
Tassel's remarks due to his youth or to sheer
Hypocrisy. That there could be any other motive
for them did not occur TO Mr.. O'AIeaghcr's mind.
Finally he said Senator, you mean all right,
but you're badly advised You're on the wrong
scent And then again. if these things amt
true they don't need to be exposed. and if they
are they can't be- | know all about this in
vcstigatiOn. It's got up by some pious folks who
don't think they're getting their fair share of
contracts ana things. and they're working their
spite OF through YOU. Now you don't want 10
get into no combine like that Irll only ruin
you and put ne 10 heap . trouble that's all.
| never done you no harm, and | don't want to.
er see
No. replied the Senator not yet"
Then there's something ails your cyesl' said
Mr.. - Alcau her. sharply.
NO, said Van Easel, they're all right The
INVESTIGATIONS going on, and If it hurts anybody
he'd better stand aside.
Has 1t ever occurred to you." inquired
o Meaghcr. that You was in danger of finding
out morc'n yOu wanted to Know"
That couldn't be want 10 know il all
You're brave young man,-hraVer n YOU
think II you knowed how brave. you'd have
d chill
Perhaps but doubt it. However. if 7 must
have the chill. Tammany shall shake too. in
sympathy. You sac. Alr. OMeagher. I'm in
Earnest
oh. Yes. | see that. and | really likes 10 see a
ago about things being corrupt has a good deal o
truth IN it. There's lots that's bad goes on in
the city gum Eve often noticed it, Seems
Il pity. and seems as if il Oughtnt to be. ! used
10 try to stop it, but the corrupt elements as
the newspapers call 'cm. was always too many fer
me. I'm glad you've come a long 10 help and I've
stand by you and Just see how much corruption
can he exposed when everybody lends n hand
Bnt II YOU should Suddenly realize that You've
got more You want. don't blame me- 30 long"
Ahd dropping his hat over his head. Mr. ONIeagber
hurried OF
In execution Mr.. O'Mcaghcr was prominently
swift lie mad learned IN his early struggles II
become the Champion Pugist of the World that
The swift and heavy smuggling did the work He
Tie lammany Departments. He omitted none
lie issued variety of orders, and on the next
Monday he called at each department 10 see how
t9r they had been ohcvcd. Here he praised: There
he blamed; but everywhere ne issued more orders
ihen on Tuesday and on Wednesday ne made the
tour again, receiving buShcl OF reports, letters
and other documents. With these in satchcl
he boarded q cab and hurried uptown TO a famous
hoStcTY with closely guarded and convenient
back room. Here. as if by accident, although it
was not he came upon the Hon. Dick Bumper. an
eminent practical politician of the County Dcmoc-
Hello said Mr.. OMcaghcr, "p'raps I'm in
tudinG."
Not at ALL. said Mr. Bumper. well knowing
and knowing that ONIcaghcr well knew thai each
was there for the especial purpose of meeting the
other
Didn't s'posc you got so far uptown at this
time o. day. said the Boss checrilv
don't generally; but | got through early
this afternoon
We'll. let's have small bottle was Just
wondering whether mightn't stumble acrost some
o you folks
Were numerous enough to occasionally"
was thinking how numerous you was Just
now. Ihcrc~-how'S that for good wine Fact is.
there's whole lot more of you fellows than had
any notion of at all
Mr. Bumper thought he recognized something
sinister in this remark, and concluded he'd keep
quiet until its true hearing had been revealed
There's been census of you fellows took late
ly. aud you'd bc surprised 10 know the totals
Mr. Bumper still held his peace He had a
talent for saying nothing a. the right time
They say this is Tammany guv'ment,' Mr..
ONcdgher went on. But it's not It's non
partisan It's Civil Service reform. It's run on
the principle OF loving Your enemies and doing
good to them that spitcfully uses you-sre?"
Mr. Bumper Smied-not because he felt mirth-
full, hut because he had to do something, and it
seemed To he as easy 10 smile anything else.
This is all due - me- said Mr.. OMeaghcr,
complaccntly. " Ever since I've been in politics
I've tried 10 persuade our people to 90 for the non
partisan Civil Service idea
Really" said Mr. Bumper. "You surprise
me hadn't heard
But | didn't know myself how far the thing
Lad cone untl | began to count up. Just look
there Mr. ONraghcr drew from his satchc n
roll OF manuscripts. They contained the names
of persons in the municipal service in each de-
pariIncnt who were County Democracy men.
the date of their appointments the amounts
of their salaries. the nature of the service they
rendered, and the names of the persons on whose