New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-08-06
WHAT BROOKLYN TALKS q
MIDSUMMER TOPICS IN WHICH EvERYB0nv
IS MORE OR LESS INTERESTED

Is MORE Ok LESS INTERESTED n
Mr.. Gaynor's letter to his friend Mr. Ziesa~
written Just as he was starting for Europe =
a document of more than ordinary interest Al
though not written for publication, Mr.. zier,s,
did well to give 1t to the newspapers Mr. Cav
nor's position is fully understood, althous<
in reality this letter merely repeats what he bs.
said in other forms other occasions. It is ~
course hard for some people to believe that
citizen can act from disinterested motives, but
there is no reason to doubt Mr.. Gaynor's entir.
sincerity He says with emphasis that he has had
no motive save to bring about intelligence hon.
esty manliness and fidelity to the people In the
nolitics and government of Brooklyn" That 4
70 saw he has not been engaged In the work that
has absorbed so much Of his time for the ast
two years-and which recently led to the post
nonement Of his departure for Europe for several
pweeks~for the sake of securing Office. any
other personal advantage Of that nature. Thers
ant candidate for Mayor but there is evidence
that this has been INDUCED in with his consent
and he has now definitely taken himself out OF The
field.
Such a candidacy would be of little account any.
way. unless Republican support were assured to
tho independent and of that there to be very
little chance indeed. the prevailing opinion Of Re.
publicans being that the only wise course is "a
nominate a candidate of the stamp of Seth Low In
the hope of securing for him the support Of those
Democrats who out of sympathy with the
methods of the Mclaughlin ring. and thus once
more establishing the government OF Brooklyn "a
a basis similar to that which rendered 1t so II.
lustrious ten years ago. Much praise for the con.
ditions then attained was given to the new char.
ter. The charter, however remains the same while
lowest point in ils history. The election this year
will not be complicated with State election Of
large Importance. and II the ring cannot be over.
thrown in 1898 it is hard to conceive OF time
when it can be- But there must be BE- no such folly
up by the Republicans two years ago WIN cam.
pagn run by an advertising agent ANOTHER Seth
/ 10 moi ilabl al
the conditions which made him first citizens can
can convention; but with a candidate who com.
mands the absolute confidence OF MS. fellow
gence, probity and tested business capacity,thers
is surely an excellent chance OF defeating MayM
by the ring.
1t is not the unexpected which has happened ID
the committee appointments made by the new
president OF the Board of Education. Mr.. Bouck
has rewarded his friends and done his best TO hu.
initiate the men who thought that he was not a Mt
person to place in that important office. Their
judgment appears to be vndicated by the first ons
cal action by which he has declared himself tn
politicians in the Board are now uppermost and ny
Without concern The best element has been IN.
tremendously turned down. ME- Bouck mas ~
no means shown the highest wisdom in his actioni
It would have been far more polite ior MN nc 70
display less OF the spirit OF revenge' or ths desIe
as his. 1t will not be long now before active steps
are taken to put into practice his IDEAS In refer
He has got even" with the members Of the Board
who opposed him. his next step YIN De 70 get
The Brooklyn Elevated Railroad Company Is talk
ing Of introducing electric motors as substitute
for steam locomotives evidently with the idea OF
doing something that Will enable II TO compete
more successfully with the trolley lines, which
have been drawing many Of its passengers away
from it. Whether there will be any advantage 10
such use of electricity remains to be seem the only
apparent purpose is to make a reduction in running
expenses without any reference to the convenience
and comfort of passengers. A good many people
seem prefer the trolley cars now. not because
of any special liking for them but because Of the
failure of the elevated companies TO consult their
passengers interests. and because OF the crowdng
Of n" elevated car fuiAg Inc huSy hours Oh tno
day ana III" dan-crDuS way IN when me trains
are run, particularly around the numerous curves
the Brooklyn system. The talk about cleo
tricity. however. may be only talk People nave
forgotten that three or four years ago the man.
ayers OF the Brooklyn elevated road announces ii,
tric lishts and actually gave IL out that they were
having the wires strung for that purpose In point
OF Illumination employed and though the lamps are
better than formerly-some OF them. at least-the
patrons of the road cannot but think that they
have been trifled with.
Postmaster Sullivan has not been studying the
postal needs OF Brooklyn without result. Within
the week one improvement of importance has been
introduced II is of considerable interest to
the people OF the city, since it insures
much prompter delivery OF letters de:
posted in the mail boxes, Heretofore, all NAH
collected in district and intended for another
had TO he sent to the general office thus consum:
ing a number OF hours. The method devised
by Mr.. sullivan provides for an exchange between
mon central point and transferring packages from
late in the evening 20 out by the first delivery in
the morning. To the great advantage or all con-
cernel.
II looks II there would never be an end TO official
scandals in Brooklyn. one of the newest relates
to the cost OF fitting up an old police station for
a police court. The estimated cost OF the work
was 5000 but when the bills all in the cost
will be not less than four times that amount. That
would be bad enough in itself. but the worst part
of II is that the work wa authorized
without any public competition. and bill
was got through the Legislature last winter, IN
the quietest imaginable way legalizng the ex.
penditure and thus getting the Aldermen's COM
mittee out of a most embarrassing situation No
such law would in all probability have been
Columbus celebration in october. That the Alder.
men violated the law Is clear. and there is no
by the Grand Jury. Meantime there is trouble in
Controller and City Auditor and no doubt an in.
vestgation will be made to determine whether the
are correct the Aldermen concerned are not there
by relieved OF responsibility for acting In defiance
of the law.
The work OF Improvement in the immediate VI.
"mitN OF TIE cry Han Is practically completed
bat no steps have yet been taken toward the re-
moval of the Beecher statue from a site that by
common consent is most inappropriate for the
r'r'u' nent memorial Of the famous prea cher. The
reason given for non-action by the Park Com.
missioner some time ago that he had no
money available for the purpose. The expense
would not be great. but am not aware that any
provision was made for II by the Board OF EST.
mate before II completed its work the budget.
The question of removal seemed TO be settled when
the Aldermen Unexpectedly took action directing
the transfer of the work to Prospect Park. but ID
reality that action seems TO have settled nothing.
1t Is noteworthy that In the appeal which he has
sent out in behalf of the Methodist Episcopal
Hospital. Superintendent Breckenridge calls It
'out of its name" the saying Is using the popu'