New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-10-30
TAMMANY'S BULLYING.
TWO EXCISE INSPECTORS THROWN OUT.

COMM ssIoNERs KOCH AND FITZPATRICK READY
TOOLS OF A TYRANT Boss
Another striking example of the bulldozing
tactics adopted by Tammany Hall toward those
of its subjects who dare to exercise an American
freedom Of opinion has just been furnished by
the two commissioners who were put on the EN
else Board for the express purpose OF protecting
the Tammany liquor dealers that have pull
The Excise Board is composed of Alexander
Mealim, an independent Democrat, aud Edward
j. Fitzpatrick and Joseph Koch, who, by virtue
of their appointment, are delivered over, Dody
and soul, TO Boss" Croker. About two years
ago, David Hrsch, a prominent member OF the
SteclSler Association appointed General In
spector of Excise at salary Of $500 AT the
same time, Samuel Rauch also member of the
Steckler Association, received an inspectors po-
sition at a salary of $1,000.
When the Stecklers seeded from Tammany
Hall. Hirsch and Rauch went out with them.
Then the trouble began. When George f.
Roesch was nominated by Tammany Hall for
Senator of the With District. Hirsch and Rauch,
following their leaders, warmly opposed him and
gave and are giving all their support to John A.
Dinkel, the Republican candidate. Then the
trouble began Messrs Hirsch and Rauch
Quickly found that they had got TO work stormy
passage. BY thousand petty tyrannies and an
noyances, thoroughly familiar 10 those who have
any experience of the inner workings Of Tammany
Fall. they were made TO understand that their
presence in the department was no longer desir-
able. At the opening of the campaign they were
asked by the Commissioners in round, set terms
whether they were willing to vote and work for
Roesch. Both men gave fat-footed negative.
Then. according to the story told yesterday to
The Tribune reporter, and now going the round
of the political associations in the city, Commits
sioners Fitzpatrick and Koch set TO work to drive
the inspectors out of their positions.
Hirsch and Rauch told that unless they
consented 10 re-enter the fold they would III
evitably he compelled TO resign from the service
Of the Excise Department. Roesch, it is said.
called at the excise office several times and vainly
tried to induce Hirsch and ,Rauch TO re-enlst in
the Tammany army Then he demanded their
removal From this system of petty intimidation
Commissioner Meakim held aloof. The dirty work
was left entirely to Commissioners Fitzpatrick
and Koch. AT meeting Of the Board held last
week, Commissioner Fitzpatrick announced that
he was ready to vote for the dismissal of the
two recalcitrant inspectors. Commissioner Koch
said ditto TO Fitzpatrick. Commissioner Meakim
suggested the postponement of the question. and
after hot discussion carried his point
The climax came on Tuesday when the two
inspectors were called before the Board and
received the alternative of submission or resigna-
ton. In reply Hirsch and Roesch promptly hand
ed in their designations and left the room.
The promptness and decision of the response
probably astonished the Tammany Hall Commits
sioners Bristlng with anger, Koch jumped to
his feet and proposed that the designations OF the
two men be accepted Immediately, the effect of
which would be to deprive them of the months
salary TO which they are entitled. Commissioner
coid md
like q man and let the men have their money!
Commissioner Fitzpatrick less truculent than his
partner sided with Commissioner Meakim, and it
was resolved that the designations should take
effect tomorrow, October 81
The entire Hebrew population of the With Sen
ate District has been reused into burning indigna-
ton by this action of the Commissioners. Now
it is almost certain that the entire Hebrew vote
will go 10 Dinkel.
Commissioner Fitzpatrick with amazing frank
ness, admitted the substantial truth of this story
In O. talk with q Tribune reporter last night add
ing: These men resigned, and it well that
they did so, because if they had continued 10
work against us / should have removed them from
office. | am Democrat, first and last. If |. as
Excise Commissioner appointed by Democratic
administration, find that an inspector is using his
official place and influence TO intmidate liquor
sellers against MS, / would do my best TO remove
him"
" Had you any evidence that these men We're
using their official places In that way?" asked
The reporter.
We had heard of it," replied Mr.. Fitzpatrick
Had you any positive testimony on the poiut? >"
We'll, we had heard of it, These men were
appointed on the influence of the Stecklers. They
came into Office as Democrats, under Demo
cratic administration. If they had chosen TO
keep out of politics, there would nave been no
complaint But we found that they were work
ing with our enemies and using the Office given
10 them By the Democratic party as an influence
on the side of the Republican candidate. re-
peat that il they had persisted in that course L
should have removed them
Suppose that these men out OF Office hours
Invested for the time being o. their official
places-chOse to exercise the right of every Ameri-
can citizen TO work and vote for the candidate
whom, on personal grounds he deems to he the
best fitted for the Office, do you mean TO say that
such action would justify their REMOVAL"
Iertaniy 40; v Od course tseS an nave WeSc Ig
would be the last man TO oppose that But when
an officer leagues himself with our political enc
mics and canvasscs against us he'll go OUT
IL IS reported that these men were asked 10
work for Senator ROescE, with the alternative
OF dismissal.
replied Mr.. Fitzpatrick. "Of course if we have
Democratic officers we expect them to do what
they can for the party. If they don't they are
enemies.
You had no other reason for forcing their
resignation ," asked the reporter.
mo. There was nothing else against them that
Know Of" replied Mr.. Fitzpatrick They
were good average inspectors" Continuing, he
said: " am not sure of the exact day which
their destinations were sent in. don't Know OF
their having been called before the board and
asked for their resignat tons. If such thing hap
pened, | don't know anything about it, SO far
as | can remember, there is no truth in the story
that Commissioner Koch wanted TO make their
designations immediate that President Meakim
interviewed. l wouldn't reply TO any statements
Of that kind unless / knew your authority