New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-11-14
RPOOEITN 1ROTSED.

The mass meeting held in Brooklyn last even
ing was at once unique and impressive. Politi-
cal activity is ordinarily brought under re-
straint when canvass has been closed and
the people have rendered Il decision At the polls
Such a demonstration as was made last even
ing of the moral forces Of public opinion is al
most unprecedented. The crimes of Mckane
were denounced by Democrats and Republicans
alike. Popular Indignation swept away all
barriers and party lines. Brooklyns aroused
conscience spoke with no uncertain sound. war
Was declared under non-partisan standards
upon enemies of honest elections and rebels
against public law. campaign against law
breakers and election criminals was opened,
and staff was organized for directing hos'ili-
ties in the most systematic and aggressive way
This remarkable demonstration Is an earnest
of the permanent revival of conscience and pub
lie morality in Brooklyn.
The cOnspirators. who dcfc1 the Supreme
Court a week ago. were confident that they
would never he prosecuted. McKane had re-
belled once against Mclaughlin and had die
tatcd to him terms of peace The Gravcsend
Boss knew that he had nothing to fear from
the Brooklyn Boss; and through Mclaughlin
the political pull operated in Albany and Kept
the Governor under restraint. Mckane was
convinced that neither Sheriff Courtney nor the
District-Attorney would venture TO prosecute
him without authority from Mclaughlin: and
he had received as late as Saturday before
election assurances. which he regarded as Sa'is-
factory and conclusive, that the Brooklyn Boss
would not interfere with his plan of campaign.
McKanes blind faith in the political iniu-
cnccs of bCssism inspired his rebellion against
pubIic law. He fancicd that he was licensed
by his political partners and hackers In Brook
lyn and Albany to commit outragcs and crimes
with absolute impunity. 1t never entered his
thoughts that public opinion could be aroused
and bosssm paralyze1.
The mass-Inccting has accomplished the use
ful purpose Of serving notice upon all officials
responsible for the maintenance of public law
that the leaders of the Gravcscnd gang must
be prosecuted and sent TO jail 1t will not sulllcc
for the Attorney General or for the District
Attorney to make vain prctcncc OF inves'i-
eating the case and Of securing indictments
against McKanc Newton and his associates.
There have been ncrvclcss prosecutions OF the
officials indicted for the Columbian cclcbratixh
frauds. and nobody has been harmed by them.
The Brooklyn mass-mccting implies lack OF
faith in all the officials whose sworn duty IT
is TO vindicatc the dignity and authority of the
law. It denotes a rcsolutc public determine
ton to have the prosecutions conducted so Wig
orollsly and successfully that Il miscarriage OF
Justice will BE- impossible.
While the delay In following up Mckanc Is
cxaspcratng especially when the supreme
Court has ample resources for condcmning him
without Il jury trial to six months imprison'
mcnt it is only just to Mr.. Gaynor Mr.. hen'
nedy and other reform leaders in Brooklyn TO
remember that premature haste might involve
serious mistakes in method The injunction
granted by Judge Barnard was an unusual pro-
ccc(ing. since it was entirely OK partc and al
lowed McKanc's lawyer no opportunity for pre-
senting his side OF the case There are many
technical questions Of law 10 be considered,
many prcccdcnis to be critically examined The
dclibcrotion with which every stage Of the legal
campaign is to De planned Offers the strongest
assurance that the Gravcscnd scOundrc!s Will
get their deserts, and bosses as well as political
criminals punished with an 0utstrctchcd arm
and rendered Odious for a generation.