New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-09-10

Meanwhile for the head Of the State ticket the Dem
ocratic majority had been steadily increasing, from
1874 for Hill for Governor In 1855 to 17077 for COOK
for Secretary OF state In 1887 and finally to 2Oj27
for Frank Rice in 1880 for the Office; thus show
ing that Mr. Fassetts gains we're by part Of
general drift but are 10 be ascrbed to his growing
personal popularity among the people OF his district.
In 1880 Mr. Fassett was chosen president pro tempore
Of the Senate in place Of Henry Il. Low, deceased.
From the day when hc first took his seat in that
body all tho force, all the skin and all the tact with
which Tature has literally endowed him have been
used in the support and defence OF good government
and for the overthrow Of bad government The
acknowledged tools no less than the drugged slaves of
the Tammany ring and the Brooklyn ring were not
slow In coming TO regard the young man from Che
mung as "the enemy A man, whom they could
neither cajoc nor corrupt, "ratte" with outcry
overcome in fence to the astute and expert
cnced politicians that the collar, standing or
turned down. of Croker or OF Mclaughlin a If not
novel sight 1t was offensive and dangerous, as
presently appeared.
Their worst forebodngs were realized when, in
March, 1890 the special committee to investigate the
affairs of cities commonly known the Fassett COM
mlttee, after its chairman and originator, began its
work The very name of investigation had como to
be a thing to smile at, but there was little smiling at
the Wigwam when under Mr.. Fassett's maSterfu prep
araOn and searching questions the rottenness Of the
new Aqueduct and the old Aqueduct Commission was
dragged light, to the of the contractors and
the dismay OF the Commissioners, the former losing
their money and their claims,' the latter their snug
berths. Nor did the Mayor do much smiling, nor yet
the Chamberlan-we speak now of the Hon." Hugh j.
Grant and the Hon. Richard Croker and incidentally
of little Miss Florence Croker, goddaughter" Of tho
first and holder for the second. The anathemas
Of Tammany should be the litany OF the taxpayers.
Tammany had in those dark days private c0mmlna-
ton service wherein earh special and particular curse
ended with Fasset:," of the evil being that had
found them ont. Mr. FaSsett's services In the senate
eliminated with his brilliant resourcefu and deter
mined vndcaton Of the Republican position during the
deadlock of the last session.
When at the close OF last July Mr. Erharlt resigned
his place as Collector Of the Port OF New-forK the
President at telegraphed to Mr. Fassett at his
home at EImira Offering him the place Thus twice
within few weeks have the public been treated to the
rare spectacle Of the Office seeking the man." Mr.
Fasset at once accepted the wholly unsOught honor,
took Of his coat literally as well fguratlvely, and
set TO work with his usual tact and vgor to show that
may 'be the best Of Collectors without becoming
the worst OF Republicans. ~ -
the Cooper Institute January 16 1890, Mr. FaSsett re-
veaed himself 70 The people OF this city for the man
he is Among many telling hits he said:
There is wrong condition that confronts us we
know what Is the trouble. We the remedy and We
desire to have it. (Cheers) We can lave it We VIII
have IT, 1t Is matter Of American pluck and American
will (Chacr51 nave Deen introduced 10 9Ou ~
practical politician. Qaughtar) wish every American
citizen Of twcntyonc years and upward were practical
politician prolonged checrs) II there is anything
wrong In public government If there IS anything rotten In
the administration city governments or State govern
man IL Is because all American citizens are not practical
politicians ChcCrs The first duty OF an American man
Is to be an American politician Chcers) You have no
business to claim right TO be protected in the possession
Of dollars worth Of property hours security under
your own roof unless you willing 70 devote some OF
your time some Of your brains to the pepeuaon OF
some OF our institutions What right have you TO demand
Of Governor Il that he shall sign ballot reform o
when you have elected him after he has once vetoed t
tremendous cheerng)
The fault is entirely with practical politicians mo
fault IS with yol American citizens. rolling in wealth.
abounalnr comfort who do take Interest enough 70
attend fundamental clements Of political he You
do not 20 primaries the caucus@s You co not
attend nominating conventions. II IL is stormy day you
toast your shns the roside instead Of going 70 the
pals This is Gods universe. and the rgnt prevails
INST the wrong wherever asserts itself (eheers) ana
II there IS anything in any OF our Institutions see
b IL core you the first that you yourselves are
blanelcss. Cheors)
Mr. Fassett was secretary Of the Republican Ma
.tonaI Committee in 1888. lie IS uustee on hOeh-
st University ana OF Cook Academy secretary OF ele
board of trl,t tees Of Elmla Female Co!eGe ana INC
proprietor Of The Emlra Advertiser