New-York tribune., 1895-02-10
lsSEMBLYMlN WRATS LITTLE FLAN'
THE PROBABLE EFFECT OF MAYOR s'hiERhNS
LETTER TO MIR. AINswoRTi

THE PROBABLE EFFECT OF MAYOR scHiERENs
LETTER TO MIR. AINswoRTn.
Manor ccbieren's letter to the chairman OF the
.~n,ly Vovs and Means Committee VIII in all
,robab,lItv put a stor To the project OF Assembly
man Wray for the appointment OF com'ni.''' u"
do for Brooklyn something Of what the heNo"
co,n,i,,ee has done for New York. Not that there
would he any likelihood OF revelations OF the same
nature as those brought to light by the skful ana
dexterous use OF Mr. COTS probe. At the same
time II has been felt by many people In Erook-
Ivn that light ought to be thrown on some Oh the
crooked transactions Of the Democratic ring.
City Works Commissioner White has stated that
tbinss were done under the administration OF MS
predecessor about which he Is unable to learn the
truth and he would be glad to have an Inquiry
made regarding them by some authority empo"-
cred to go to the bottom and examine every one
possessing knowledge OF the matters concerned Ihe
use OF the police at elections. notably at the cleo
ton when Mayor Scheren was chosen. would fur-
nish an interesting field for inquiry. The frauds in
connection with the building OF the Soldiers and
Sailors Memorial Arch cannot be brought to lght
without a searching investigation although there
Is not the slightest doubt in the minds OF intelligent
citizens that great deal OF money was stolen by
some of the concerned in the work. One man
Is commonly believed TO have made $4,000 or 5000
out OF this job and II Is clear that the public In
terest demands thoroughgoing investigation.
Mayor Schierer thinks that whatever Brooklyn
needs in the way of investigation can best be ac-
compllshed by conferrlng power upon him to make
such inquiries may be deemed necessary. either
personally or through commissions which he may
fit to appoint. lie would have even the admins
tration Of the Bridge overhaued in this way Be-
yond question. good results would be accomplished
by such Investigate tlons the Mayor might order.
but still there Il not universal agreement with the
opinion which he expressed in his communication TO
Assembyman Ainsworth.
Commenting the matter In general n citiz IN
who makes 1t his business TO keep In close touch
with all that goes in Brooklyn said yesterday:
1.-The right sort OF committee coming down from Al
bany with all the power OF the Lcgsla ture and.
therefore. OF the people of the State behind It,
would probably be abe to accomplish more than
could be done by local Investigations. conducted un-
der the direction OF Mayor Schieren. Take an Illus
tration: Disregardng for the moment the influence
OF the revelations made by the Lexow Committee
In bringing about the election OF Mayor Strong In
New-York II seems TO me that commission app
pointed by Mayor Strong could pos sbiy achieve the
something about the authority OF ia committee APP
pointed by the Legislature that Is and
what IL undertakes Is therefore, more likely 10 be
successfully accomplished. | do not believe that "A
got at the bottom of the police bribery, black
mail, ETC. At the same time. | remember that when
the Bacon Committee cane down here several years
ago with a great flourish OF trumpets nothing OF
true In reference TO the Investigation OF the affairs
OF the Brooklyn Bridge. made under the direction OF
the Mayors Of Brooklyn and New York there was
10 crookedness disclosed. despite the preyai,Ins
Nevertheless. l recognize the fact that Navor
schiereh has been remarkably successful In Inducing