New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-05-27
TIE MAYOR IN A QUANDARY.

The controversy between Mayor Grant ana
Richard Croker over the appointment or John o.
Scannell to Fire Commissionership, however IL
NAV result. affords striking Illustration OF
Tammany motives and methods of government
The man in whose behalf the claim to valu-
able office is made is unqualified for the place
by common consent, and dlsquallneo Dy DaSe
procliyities and vile record. But in the opih-
ion of Croker and of those who flourish py
agreeing with him. this has nothing to do with
the case. Scanneh acquired and held Tor lam
MANY Hall in the last two municipal elections
numerous votes which were in danger OF beng
diverted in another direction, and he mas al
ready waited an inconvenent time for his re-
ward. He made contract and kept his part
of if and he intends with Cookers powerful
helm 70 have the transaction completed without
further delay.
But it is apparently not yet quite certain tha'
Crokers help will be powerful enough 10 pre-
vail over the Mayors Discrimination. FROM one
point of view it is singular that Mayor Grant
should hesitate to ratify a bargain made IN his
name and for his benefit. There is no pretence
that he is embarrassed by another claim equally
strong. and is celebrating which OF two prom
nyedicament has often disturbed a successful
candidate, but the Mayors obstinacy proceeds
from different source. AS we have more than
once remarked during the last winter Mr.. Grant
has put a higher value on his own capacities
and prospects since his reelection. lie has
d" set I'D for HIMSELF in a tentative manner, and
is not disposed to yield to Crokers dlctauon'
even though the Boss has returned from Europe
for the express purpose of enforcing his man
date The Mayor has higher ambitions than
he once had, or at least has acquired new views
of the way to crafty them. Some OF his aspra-
tions no doubt, are scarcely Ineligible TO the
average Tammany heeler, but they have taken
a strong hold on him. His father left him IN
easy circumstances, but his own shrewd and
lucky speculations, chiefly in real estate have
made him rich He has occasionally disclosed
a longing to associate with men and women OF
a different stamp from those with whom MS
early affiliations surrounded him. and he IS
eager to believe that he is about entering upon
a political career in which a different social
standing would be of great advantage to him.
With these hopes and purposes in view, the
obligation to appoint Scannell to conspicuous
office makes him uneasy and rebellious, the
more so because be knows that the obligation,
such as it is, exists lie is trying hard to con-
vince himself that it is not binding, but he is
aware that he is expected to live hp to the
rammany standard of fidelity to the rlng-a
creed which in a slightly different circle goes
by the name of honor among thieves. Though
be may not personally have signed the contract
with Scannell, he knows that the validity of the
signature is generally recognized in Tammany
Hall, and that the man who made it and him
has no doubt whatsoever on the subject His
situation is truly perplexng and disagreeable
and the more closely it is studied the more
amazing it appears that a majority of the cit
liens of New-York should deliberately and
cheeyfully lend themselves to the making and
ratification Of such bargains.