New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-01-09
THE BROOKLYN INDICTMENTS.

The Brooklyn Grand Jlny has done such ex-
cellent work in indicting supervisors, Alder
men, officials and contractors implicated IN the
Columbian scandal that it seems almost I'M
gracious t. critcise its action. But its failure
TO include Mayor BOody's name in the list OF
indictments is inexpicable and illogical. 1t
has brought into court a presentinent on the
most sweeping nature, declaring that the bllls
for the celebration were not only excessive ana
fraudulent, but also clearly Illegal In It's
Indictment neither the Common Council nor any
officials had the right or the power TO contract
those bills or to authorize their payment. But
Nayor Body signed the warrants for the pay
ment of these bills. Why, then, has not the
Grand Jury indicted him? If the Supervisors
Aldermen and other officials concerned i'll these
candalous transactions have violated the law
and exposed themselves TO criminal prosecu-
tion. we are at a loss TO understand how or why
the Mayor has been let off.
The Grand Jury certainly could not have
been influenced by the speciOus plea that 1t Is
net the duty of the Mayor to scrutlnize bills
before he signs warrants for their payment
The charter makes his signature a prerequisite
for pavment. No argument is required to prove
that the signing of warrant is purely cler-
cal or formal act. 1t is clearly tho responsio Die
duty of the Mayor to examine the bill and to
convince himself of its legality and essential
honesty before he attaches his signature to the
warrant If Brooklyn has Mayor who IS not
willing % take the time and trouble to scrut-
nize bills for public expenditure, but even as
>erts that he Is under no moral obligation to
do it, the Grand Jury has been very lenient
in not bringing him to account with sharp
turn The public will not be so lax in its judg-
ment. Such bills as those signed by the Mayor
for wine and for the reviewing stands were
fraudulent and illegal on their face. II he
signed them without knowing how rascally the
transactions were he was one of the most guile
less and credulous officials whom Brooklyn has
ever known
This scandal is one Of many unerring in
dications of the corruption and decentralization
60 mun;cnal government in BROOKLYN No
where else is assessed valuation higher or the
tax-rate more excessive than in that town ana
not perhaps in any other city is there 50 little
received in return for the burdens OF taxation.
The streets are always foul the paycments are
in the worst possible repair; Prospect Park Is
Systematically neglected the school accommo-
datlOnS are utterly inadequate inc pOII'c lOINc
is inefficient. and every branch of the civil
service is conducted with incapacity and laxlty.
The Fire Department is 50 badly administered
that the insurance interests have been com
PEELED to act in self defence. The Excise bust
ness is oyerrunning with scandals. The whole
town is at the mercy Of Ring and Gang.
The political game which has been success
fully worked year after year has been simple
one. 1t is that of placing in nomination for
the chief offices of responsibility very virtuous
and reputable gentlemen Of high social and
business standing, and then Of making use of
them when elected for the perpetuation of ex-
isting abuses and the promotion of scandalous
Jobs. That is game which ought by this
time to be nearly played out. Public sent-
ment is at last aroused If the District-At
torney considers it safe to play with the batch
of indictments which has been placed i'll his
hands rather than to make them the basis
Of determined and uncompromising prosecu
ton. he will be overwhelmed with popular
condemnation. A storm may be already brew
ing over the river which will sweep Ring and
Gang government with all its highly moral and
reputable figureheads out of existence.