New-York tribune., 1891-05-17
POLITICAL AND PERSONAL.
PUBLIC MEN AND AFFAIRS.
THE FIELD OF CANDIDATES OF THE
PRATT INSTITUTE.

PRATT INSTITUTE.
Political activity so far as the Republican General
Committee is concerned, will be suspended until
the fall. With a subcommittee appointed to consider
the most important affair to up for consideration
this year. namely, the best method OF securing mu-
nicipa reform, II felt that the main BODY OF dee
gates representing the party need not meet Whie
the bylaws provide for meetings on the second Tues
day of each month II has always been customary 10
dispense with meetings in July and August save In
Presidential years. but this year the June meeting VIII
also be omitted. Unless the Executive committee
also decides 10 adjourn, it VIII meet each month IN
It's councils subjects be considered with more
freedom than in the meetings Of the General COM
mttee to which the public admitted. one din
Guilty has been the weight given to the unguarded ut
terances Of irresponsible men as taken up ana DIS
cussed by opposition journals This was cieverly
avoided at the last meeting when the Endorsement OF
the policy Of Secretary Tracy unanimously adopted
and applauded and no opposition evoked In de-
bate When the matter was prematurely broached at
the April meeting by Franklin Woodruff. several spoke
in opposition. but after the full discussion in the Ex
ecutive Committee, that representative body voted
unanimously to approve the steps taken 10 introduce
improved service in the Navy Yard, for which ex-
amnatlons are now In progress.
The suggestions Of possible candidates for the Re-
publican nomination for Mayor in these columns last
Sunday the subject Of much comment in the
was received with much favorable consideration. and
II he should be put in the field against
Mayor Chaplin the result would doubtless be it
was in the water suits A prominent Re
publican said "The Democratic party must renom-
mate Mayor Chaplin, not only 10 vlndcate him, but
vndicate the party itself from the scandal attached
to the revelations in the water business It will be
a greater load for any other candidate to than
for the Mayor himself. And unless he is rehabll-
tated by reelection, his political future will be
seriously clouded. But It may be that he VIII see
his future rise securely before him If he goes
back to the Legislature as Senator from the dis
trict now represented by John c. Jacobs" The
name Of John Clafln, the wealthy drygOods merchant
and son Of Horace B. Cafln whom he succeeded, has
been suggested for Mayor Mr.. Clanin IS of
the type represented By Mayor Low, and might be
willing to sacrifice his business interests by accepting
a nomination for chief magistrate OF the city.
The name Of another active NewYor1 business
man that has been suggested is that Of Darwin r.
James, ex-Congressman. Mr.. James has had wide
experience In politics well in business and
would wisely and ably manage the affairs of the
city.
There is much popular interest in the disposition Of
the millions Of Charles Pratt. the wealthiesJ In
the city but his will has not yet been filed for pro
bate. great difference exists in regard 10 settling
mp estates The win OF 5. B. Chttenden was not
probated for several months after his death In a
offered for probate until after her husbands death,
which occurred several months after her life ended.
In another recent instance, that Of DR.. Samuel 7.
Spear his will offered for probate the day after
his DEATH and before the funeral Charles Arbuckle,
the coffee millionaire died lntestate and his brother,
John Arbuckle has Just secured letters OF admins
traitor upon his estate in Suffolk County, where he
held his home Mr.. Arbuckle owned property valued
at nearly 81 OOO,O 900 in Brooklyn, besides his IN
vestments elsewhere.
Mr. Pratt held the entire investment for the Pratt
Industrial Institute In his family. The trustees
at the time of his death himself and
his two sons Charles VI. and Frederic b. Pratt
When II incorporated In 1887, Clarence
Vose was associated with Mr. Pratt and his eldest
son as one Of the corporatos, but he resigned after
ward in favor OF Mr.. Pratt's second son. a large
amount OF property was decided 20 tie Institute By
Mt. Pratt for term of years. to end on Nay l. Is0a
and this property, valued at mOIe than SoOOO,OOO,
was exempt from taxation by the city. IN includes
vacant ground near the Institute the great Astral and
Inwo0d apartment houses and the Chelsea Jute Mills
in Greenpoint. The income from this property sup
ported the Institute. and II Mr. Pratt has beQueathed
il 10 the institution. its future is assured. II his
intention 70 deed IL all to the Institute next year.
In the last annual report reference made to
the fact that statement Of the finances Of tho
Institute had been made public and Mr. Pratt said
that he had had the accounts carefully made mp each
vear but he doubted the wisdom OF making
statement public. The income had not been tOne-
fourth Of the expenses brit the institution still
in all experimental state, and IL believed it could
be made largely selfsupportng. Tributes will be paid
to the worth and work of Mr.. Pr,tt in the Emmanuel
Baptist Church. which he founded. this afternoon.
one OF the bills that becnme laws while the Legis.
latu-e was In session provided for the appointment
OF two additional Police Justices. The city Is now
served By four magistrates who preside In police
courts and ever since the town Of New-Lots was
annexed and became the TwentJ Sixth Ward. IT has
been held that additional court OF this character
Uas needed in that part Of the city. Last year
hill to add two new peace magistrates failed To De
come a law The appointing authority is now con-
ferred ,lpon the Mayor. Controller and City Auditor
and is to be exercised between June and January l.
The two men most prominently mentioned for the
places are ex-Assembyman Henry Haggerty ann eX-
William Watson. The former Is Demo
crat and may be regarded as reasonably sure Oh
appointment as the appointing power IS soIdiy Demo
cratic hut Billy Watson has always passed Tor a
Republcan despite the fact that some persons have
rerarded him as an assistant Democrat and his
oppontment Is not so sure. Al any rate. 1t is not
likely that there win be any Police Justices until
after election. Mr.. Watson for member OF Assem-
blv last fall. but badly defeated ana ne thch
resigned from the Republican General Committee
His term a. Supervisor ended on December 3l' lsOO'
Little publicly heard Of him since save when
Mayor Chaplin dubbed him the ingalls, OF BrooKyh'
and last week when IL was reported that Dr. Powell
Of the Board Of Education. had publicly tweaked MS
nose because Of an insult 10 his wife by watson Inc
latter SAYS that it only piece Of drunken /
bravadO by Bowell but IT must have cost him much J
self lf-restrant not 10 wreak vengeance upon
the doughty Doctor and thus perhaps irretrevaby /
ruin his political future Mr. Watson lives IN the
Twenty-sxth Ward he hopes 10 preside over police
court In that part II the city, where he was once
Justice Of the peace.
Mayor Chaplin, Controller Jackson and City Auditor
Weber will also be called upon after June i To !
appont eight Bridge trustees 10 succeed Alden > !.
swan, seth L. Keeney, james Howell, Alfred C. |
Barnes John Mollenhauer, Reuben Reilly, Moses May
and George W. Anderson They have all held office
for two years and some of them much longer. 1t s