New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-05-10
WHAT BROOKLYN TALKS OF.
GIIMPSES OF MEN AND THINGS IN THE
CITY OF CHURCHES

BROOKLYN has tie last OF the notorious water
works scandal which occupied so much public attention
iu the course of the early weeks Of the year. No
oud have been asonished by the decision of the Court
~ Appeals, though Mayor Chaplin and the cy's expcn-
sve counsel (whose fees IL is fair to presume will all
be paid out of the cys treasury TO have thought
mat they had good chance of getting the findings of
the lower courts reversed Tho question ON which the
General Term and the court OF last resort based their
decisions raised by Justice Bartlett when he
tnued Mr. 1egers injunction pending the trial of the
main ISSUE 81 entertain grave doubt said Justice
bartlett In the closing part Of his opinion, "as TO
whether the power the part of the city officials to
purchase under the Annexation act did not end with
the termination of the period of two years during which
The city might have exercised the power of eminent
domain
All the decisions Of the courts before which this
water came were uniformly in favor Of the people
and against the officials elected by the people, but
who had proved recreant to their trust The only eX-
ception was that OF the sided decision Of Judge
Dykman, who undertook to dismiss the case. although
Mr. Gaynor the plaintiffs able counsel contended that
The case was not In any proper sense before MN al
all. This the ridiculous phase OF the matter
Mr. Gsynor evidently right, and Justice Dykman
~ evidently wrong Certainly the Justices penmpory
declaration that he would proceed to dismiss the suit
unless. Mr. Gaynor put In appearance by certain
dsv was without any effect at the tme and did not
have any bearing upon the subsequent proceedings
Unfortunaely-from point Of vew-the decisions OF
the General Term and the Court of Appeals prevent
any trial OF the merits Of the bargain concluded by the
Mayor, Controller and Auditor last December the
main object has, however, been successfully accom-
plished. The consnmmauon Of the purchase oil the
waterworks at an enormously excessive valuation has
been prevented The ground Of these decisions Is ta
by the terms Of the act whereby the town of NewLots
became part Of Brooklyn the purchase Of the water
works could only be made within a period of two
years The decision, of course, ends all prospect OF
securing the plant Of the water company without fur
Their legislation What will be done in that matter re-
mains to be seem Already it is urged that the LegiS
laurc ought TO pass law permitting the purchase 10
be made in order TO place the people OF the twenty
sixth Ward on the same footing in regard to water
supply as the rest Of the city. This result would ap
pear 10 be desirable Of accomplishment; but certainly
no one wants to see such power given to Mayor
Chaplin or any other city officials who would be In
cned TO pay extravagant price for the waterworks
uavor Cbanin however will not be an oficeholder
when the next Legislature convenes. The scandal In
which he became involved Will inevitably have an
important effect upon the next Mayoralty eiecuOh'
when by wise policy the Republicans ought 10 De
abe TO elect their candidate. The career OF MT
Chaplin proof positive that even the most respecoe
agrehead that the Democracy may put forward VIII
he only plant tool In the hands of the ring who have
o ,onp controlled the Democratic politics Of Brook
lyn Mr.. Chaplin processes to regret deeply the III
ability of the city, by reason OF the decision OF he
Court of Appeals to complete the purchase on which
he he'd set his heart. lie is really very much cast
down AZ he contemplates the probability that the
mobile Of East New-York must be dependent FOR forty
xoars u come upon water furnished by private com
many and says as he mentally folds his arms ana
heaves sigh: 50 far as the case concerns the Con
troller or Mr. Rutan 1.-THE Auditor whose term eApreu
On January II or myself can well AFFORD 10 IedNo IL
10 the sober reflection of the people, Inc mayor
xl,otkh a
fected upon IL most sObery, and they lave hao ho
d1iculty in making up their minds as to It's true cha
after and the true character Of the officials VINO tOoK
part in the job.
7. ,s not ofen that the flags upon the public build
,n,s arc placed al hulf-staT in token Of mourning al
The death of private citizen. This tribute was pau "
Charles Pratt and it surely was not undeserVeo Inc
loss TO BROOKLYN which his death has caused rseS u w
dimensions of q calamity. Already he hao zone Vels
much for the benefit of his fellowciuzehs, pu' tho'0
Intimate with him feel assured that if his lie had peeh
nro,o,cod ne would have done much more The Prat'
Iustitnte Is his enduring and asuhcient monument
and one which will stand for generations not ON! PVT
peiuatng his memory, but continual sour0o Vi -,
ina and benefaction to multitudes OF DOM seAo "a
Institute was a growth in Mr. PIa'ts hiinu' ~ o'
t rnrinp full panOpned from his busy BRAIN III US
my , tIo roonev which he had been so successful
a. accommodating he was resolved TO do that whch N''
most for the people whom he hoped to beheht INC e
prat institute Is not yet completed, though Deyonu
Doubt ample provision made by It's ionue tut orI
plans which he had IN mind, and ms executors VII
,, carry ont his wishes to the fullest extent pos
-, pr. az IN the other enterprises which ne Is
,nowu 10 have contemplated more or less denhlVelS
rrye doubts must be entertained. Mr. traits own
ideas had not been fully formulated regarding 'hese
Gov one reason because he did not feel that ne oCuU
give the time necessary to their cohlple'o ~ r
NOV. and also because he not fully convhceu IN
~ as met urgently demanded for the people Of
proot,vn Probably he looked forward to COCA many
aars Of life and to leisure for the full consideration u
me projects which he had in mind His DEAN Is .,
1T r,,stortune Of no common order No citizen Oh
prco,Ivn has ever done much for 1t III 80 ni''HS
ways, all wise
'. e sircplar how much public misapprehensioh eA-
"a. T., car1 N certain matters of legislation IN "hlch