New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-04-15
GOVERNOR FLOUEK'S COMPROMISE.

Governor Flower, after taking tho part OF
the people of Brooklyn by vctoing the acts
passed in conformation of the officials responsible
for the Columbian celebration frauds, has now
gone to the rescue cf the politicians. Appar-
entity no has found a consciousness OF public
rectiudo meagre compensation Tor the In
convenience OF facing the continued hostility
of Hugh Mclaughlin. He recently opened ne
eo.iations with the Democratic Senators from
Kings County for a truce, and explained how
permanent peace could be secured. Two bills
based upon his suggestions have been promptly
introduced in tho Legislature and Will I'M
doubtcdly be enacted without delay. One pro-
vidcS for the appointment Ct a commission 70
audit the Columbian bills and the other lcca.lzcs
the expenditures. While these acts VIII eX-
plicitly disclaim interference with the criminal
prosecutions ordered by the Grand jury, their
bearing upon the GASES Of tho indicted officials
is obvious. The Governor and the Legislature
are practically uniting in successful attempt
TO invalidate the findings of the Grand jury
and to render them imperative.
The violations OF law, which are to be con
1oned by Governor Flower by this ignomlnlouS
surrender to the Brooklyn ring. are PLAIN Inc
charter provides that no contracts for public
work exceeding $3.50 in amount shall be en-
,crcd into without public advertising and en-
petition and also that TO claims against the
city shall be paid unless the bills have been
rendered in itcmzed accounts and properly
audited. The Columbian cont.a"ts were made
without due alvcltisom NJ. and Consequently
were clearly illegal. With a fcw exceptions the
bills we,c presented as Uni;cmizcd accounts and
we! no. Legally audited. The bills were padded
81 outragcousy that the most superficial IN
spoc,ion would have suficcd ~ disclose thor
fraudulent character. The whole process OF
auditing was sham. The Transactions were
taintel with dcc,p ion and rocking with fraud
The Grant Jury after a thorough inyc ilSl' on
recommended civil proc cdng' against the
officials and contr:ct5rs for the recovery OF the
m ney. and indicted over thirty politicians for
their participation in this scheme OF plumber
Those cases after much unnecessary d lay have
been put on the docket for trial.
This is plain Statement of the case. Now
what doe, thc Legislature with th2 connlyanc9
Of the Governor propose 10 de about IT -
appoint in the first place TO audit these bIlls
a Second time a commission comprising 'A'
Manor, the City Audito. and the Con;r Her.
OF thee officials only onn, t." Cont olier cicc'cd
last November, will be new t. the bu incS'.
The MayCr has already passed upon thf'c blil'
for fraudulent service and sham supplies ana
sauc,ioned tic.n through sheer n glcr' Of duty.
The City Audito:' 5 dcputy ha' al 10 gone taron-h
the farce OF auditing them and virtually con-
sp.red with all the members in the divide 10
defraud the city. The commission as oonSii-
tutod will be unable to investigate the accounts
and lay hare thc fraud without practically IN
dicing Themselves for in :ncicncy and ci9inal
negligence 1t will be a bnlcSquc upon the
former farce Of maladmini t;ation.
Furthermore, the Legislature with the consent
Ct the Governor proposes to lcsalizc c%pcndl-
lures incurred without warrant 81 law and IN
violation Of the charter and thereby t. inva!i-
date the civil suits for dana 20 recommended
by the Grand Jury. This is -ono with rider
disclaiming Interference with the tials OF the
indicted politicians The deadly use which VIII
be made cf this legislation b. the defence IN
the criminal cases is apl aren't How can 1t be
possible to convict gang OF plundcrcrs whose
acts have been condoncd AID lcgallzcd by the
Governor and the Legislature? Tho whole
effect Ct this compromise, - which the Gov
,rnOr has lent his sanction, will be t. b!Ing the
Grand Jury into contempt and to let Oil the