New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-06-06
4 coon UOLDEE.

politcian of the last generation who beng III
the enjoyment Of the Office of Sheriff was
asked to resign by his friends III order that
they might promote him to higher place on
the State ticket, that after taking two days
IN consider The subject he returned answer
that he had made a careful study OF the Con
stituton and found nothing in it to prevent
his holding both Offices His ncighhorS some
how got the notion that the old gentleman was
greedy. and presently ended his political career
nv turning him down. He did make ms
take. of course But the mistake was only in
being in advance of his time. lie should have
lived in this period and in this State and beer
in relations with such politicians as David H.
Hill and Alfred c. Chaplin. Hill held the Offices
of Governor and United states senator at one
time. up to the last minute allowed by
the Constitution, and whatever criticisms were
cast upon him by his opponents, his party as
sociates saw nothing wrong or improper III II.
lie himself maintained that it was essential 10
the success Of the party, and by consequence. OF
course. to the welfare Of the whole cOun
fry. that he should hold fast to both places to
the very last. His party agreed with him.
They all said il was not from any greed for
Office, but purely out Of his socitudc for the
common veal.
And now here's another shining example
over in brooklyn Of willingness to bear un
usual official burdens in The interest of the pub
lie Mr.. Alfred c. Chaplin bends his back to
two very important Offices drawing a salary
for each with regularity and precision, and
assuring the public in cheerful, light hearted
way that he will stand by both with unwavcr-
ing devotion so long as there's dollar in either
the state or National treasury. Mr.. Chaplin
was formerly Mayor Of Brooklyn. Prior to that
he was State Controller. lie began quite early
to catch places Of that sort that were going
round seeking tho man. In his party men
never seek the office the Office always goes
round with lantern, a scoop-nct and n boat
hook trying to catch the man. Ii caught
Chaplin with uncommon ease, and has kept hold
of him ever since The Office Of Governor was
round looking for the man. about the time
his term of office as Mayor expired and came
very near catching him. Roswell Flower 60,
in the way, and the Office happened to catch
him instead of Chaplin. Then two Offices got
after Chaplin at the same time, to wit, the Office
of Mayor which sought him for another term.
and that of member Of Congress- which was
making a desperate effort to catch him. In the
confusion resulting thcrefrom Mr.. Body. who
had been elected TO Congress, caught by
the Mayoralty, and the seat in Congress left
vacant thereby fell upon Chaplin before he could
escape. So Body and Chaplin snapped places,
and payrolls.
Then there was Railroad Comnis>ionorship
vacant, and that Office, with salary of ~ 900,
went seeking "thc man. Governor Flower
IL -. q. Al II.
he struck was Chapin's. lie found that some
office or other had been seeking Chaplin ever
since he came Of age, and that. notwith standing
his shrinking disposition. he had been caught
so many times that his entire career was trace
able on the public payrolls. The Governor
found upon examination that there was moth
ing in the Constitution Of the state or the
United states or Chaplin himself to hinder his
being impressed into the Office Of Railroad
Commissioner and compelled to draw s.. 900 a
year lie accordingly appointed him. OF
course What else could he do? So Chapin
has been surrounded for some time by two
important offices, which he could not escape.
and with great self denial has been drawing
both salaries Somebody over in BROOKLYN.
some nconsequent and irrelevant person. raised
the question the other day whether Chapin
wouldn't resign something or other. Chapin
rose up at once to the suggestion and resigned
his place on the Judiciary Committee of the
House. Then some more persistent person
asked if he was not going to resign something
else. TO which Chaplin replied "Why. no /:
how can !? ] don't take any part in the pro-
ceedings OF the House, Of course, and don't
intend to- But ] answer on an average two
dozen letters day, and if / should resign il |
would put my constituents T. great incon- |
venience." So he stays. Holds ON to both |
places. not because he wants to. but because |
he must. 1t would Inconvenience his constit- |
uents il no should let 60.
What a Rood-natured fellow Chapin is. |