New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-01-23
IN TAMMANY'S GRASP.
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE RAPID
TRANSIT SITUATION.
POLITICAL AND BUSINESS RELATIoNsuPS-CoR
PoRATIoNs AND DEMOCRATIC CAMPAIGN
FrSDs-RIGHTs OF PROPERTY
OWNERS SACRIFICED.


FrSDs-MGHTs OF PROPERTY
OWNERS SACRIFICED.
Since the Rapid-Transit Commission startled
the city few weeks ago by practically announc-
ing that after all the problem Of rapid transit
must he solved by the Manhattan Elevated Rail
road Company, reflective citizens have been en-
amihing some of the relations existing between
that company and Tammany Hall. II is an in
tcresting subject, and one that grows more III
teresting the closer it is examined. As socn "a
the commissions decision was announced every
sensible man, of course, concluded that 4 deal
had been made That was evident. Gnt the
precise character OF the arrangement was, with
most people, o matter Of speculation II IL 50
still to large extent, but good deal Of Sht
has been thrown the subject within the last
few days. 1t is still impossible to give all the
facts, but this. however. Is not necessary The
essential features are all that are required, and
those which are not furnished by the public records
are given by men Of integrity. whose sources
OF information arc absolutely trustworthy 1t
is hardly necessary to say that this alliance of
the great elevated railway monopoly and the
great political monopoly is Of the most important
character The results Of il will he far-reachins,
involving as it does more public and private
has been effected in years.
NEW METHODS IN CAMPAIGNS.
Every student Of current political history must
have been impressed with the remarkable change
that has taken place OF late in the methods of con-
ducting Democratic campaigns in this State.
Formerly the State Democracy had TO rely entirely
upon the Democratic vote in New-York City to
elect :. State ticket. Brooklyn WAS debatabc
ground and all the rest OF the State, except a
few large cities, was Republican territory The
Democrat. conceded it, making effort to dis
putc the Republican supremacy, chiefly for the
reason that they had comparatively little money.
1t was almost Impossible for them to raise funds.
In 1885, when Hin ran against Davenport, the
Democratic State Committee became bankrupt
before the campaign was fairly begun. and had
Hill not taken charge OF the finances Of the conf
mittec in person and borrowed money on his per
sonal notes 20 John O'Brien, who was then buid-
ing the new aqueduct, there is no doubt that
Davenport would have triumphcd. The use
OF money in that campaign opcncd the eyes
Of the Democratic managers, and from that time
they have made their plans with due regard to the
financial requirements OF practical politics.
MunPHY's CONSPICUOUS SERVICES.
In the dcvising and the execution Of these
plane one man stands forth conspicuousy. HIS
name is Edward Murphy, jr., and he has Just
b~on elected United States Senator from this
State in place Of Frank Hiscock. Mr. Murphy is
a toerably fair politician hut his political ami
tics would never have sent him to tn" tnitci
States senate Neither would his genial quail
ties or his personal popularity Nor would his
wealth have been sufficient, for there were other
men As rich as he who nspircd TO the high honor
lie is not a member of the bar. Eor man o! great
| intellectual force, nor an orator. nor leader o
1ammany Hall. And yet he was able to heat
W Rourke Cochran, who Ind all these points in his
favor. How did he do it? Simply because nc
was and is a man who has succeeded IN lntroauc
ing practical business methods into politics 10 al
extent unparalleled in the history OF the Deino
cratic party OF this State lie has not Only hla'e
a fortune for himself ont OF politics, pnt lie ha'
taught his party friends how TO follow his exam
pie, and has probably done more to sweil 'h'
Democratic bank accounts than any other ind
vdual in this country. That Is the secret 0, lie
rowsr and that is the reason why he was able Il
hold Croker TO him against Cochran IN the recent
contest. Croker is a rich man, or will be, ana
| Nurphv il the man who enabled him TO get rich.
After Hills reelection as Governor in 1893
| Murphy became possessed with the ld"a 'hat pS
| PROPER management and substantial supply o
money the Legislature could be wresteo from '"'
Republcans. Hill thoroughly appreciated the
Troian's business abilities, and agreed with MN
Murphy at once set about tho work by culti'at
| ing the friendship Of the corporations Inns wa'
slow work. Tho idea of taking the rural dstric''
away from Republican control did not strike the
average hardhcadcd corporation representative a
feasible: but Murphy persisted, ard finally aitcl
a series Of temporary arrangements a deal wa'
made the results of which are now being presented
10 the public.
THE BARGAIN MADE.
That deal was made IN 1890. and was in sub
stance that In return for heavy campaign con
t,ibutions to the Democratic State campaign th'
yewYork and Brooklyn elevated railways which
bv the way. had pooled their issues in this mat
for should have as favorable legislation at Albany
,s could reasonably be expected. The railroai
| were not slow or modest in making their demands
One Of their first request, the passdg' oi VIVA
;s now known as the Mcknight bill This DlI
| was one OF the most outrageous pieces OF eslsii
| ti,n ever securel in this country; II diSrupte'
equity practice throughout the State and chahse
| the system that has been in vogue Tor centuries
| Eouity actions for sll time have been tr"d DE
| ;udcr without a jury, for tie reason th't VII
average jury cannot understand equity. Neari'
all the cases OF the propcrty-owners Tor dainaee
AGAINST the elevated railroads in this city ana II
BROOKLYN are equity cases. The elevated rdiiroa
people have always fought thesc cases bltter
and rcsorted to every means in their power 10 Pre-
vent the complainants from getting InSti'c' an
the purpose of the Mcknight bill was 10 max"
almost impossible for claimants to secure any
thing like Just verdicts Ii was an amcndmen
IN Section go OF the Code, and provided Una
equity cases should be tried by jury Inc o.
n;acauce Of this step was made more apparent b
the appointment at the same tlme o' '"e 'e''
hrotsd Barney Martin as Commissioner O
Jurors in this county.
The Mcknight bill was introduced at the coa
mand of Mr.. Murphy. Mcknight himself was a
Issemblyman from Troy, and under the compct
control of Murphy. Willie the measure was b'
fore the House Mcknight was taken i'll. and al