New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-09-29

over had such an official. The Office was created
more than twenty years ago for the specia pen'hi
of Kings and there have been ten ncumoents OF H.
The Supervisor-at-Large holds SUBSTANTIALLY 'he
same relations to the county that the Mayor hoids
70 the city In fact he - sometimes referred to as
the "Mayor OF the County" He has veto power
unon all acts and resolutions OF the Board OF super
visitors and his veto can be overridden only oy
two-thirds vote He pres!des at the meetings OF the
Posrd but like the Vice-Presdent and Lieutenant
Governor he does not have the power OF appointing
committees That duty is performed by the prea
dent pro tenn OF the Board. who is elected by MS
fejlow-membcrs and therefore represents the ma
ioritv element. The Supervisor mas
casting vote in the Board In the case OF an even
division and he has an important funcuoh 10 per
form as a member Of the Board OF Estimate ""o"
makes up the city budget
The Office Of Supervisor-at-Large was crehteu ny
an act of the LEGISLATURE passed on March TO- lSn
The office is an elective one. and the term IL TWO
wears but In addition the act provided that 'he
first incumben, should be appointed by the county
Judge County Treasurer and County clerk lhese
officials met within the prescribed time and chose
William J. Osborne the first Supervisor-at-Large
and he was elected to the Office In the following
November and served for one term IL mas oeeh
said that the Office brought into existence ioi
his special benefit but on the whole IL mas oeeh
good thing for the county. especially as seVerai Vi
the men elected to 1t stood sturdiy In the way
money.
AN INTERESTING FIGURE.
This has heen especially true in the case OF Mr.
I-itchle the present incumbent He is an interesting
figure among the officials Of Brooklyn just no"
no sometimes refers 10 himself jocosey as the
last Of the Mohcans," since he Will be the last man
70 hold the Office which he has filled so acceptably
n the people Of Brooklyn. His election two years
ago came about in rather curious way Inc ne
nuhlican County Convention in 1893 nominated
Colonel II W. Michel fer uperv.sor-at-large' Out
he refused to accept, evidently thinking thal ne
had no chance OF being elected. 1t was known tha'
the Democrats intended to renominate George hih-
KEEL who had won considerable credit by his lnde-
nendence OF action and his refusal 10 take orders
from, WilIougbby-st The Democratic leaders felt
conDelled to give him a renomna tton although
they would have preferred TO put up man whom
they could use for their own purposes more easily
Mr. Kinke"s record good that after the
decnation Of Colonel Michel the Repuplcahs
offered to ndorse the nomination OF Nr. knkei
put tho latter felt certain of reelection, ana
furthermore he was under pledge not to accept
the Republican Endorsement. SO he rejected the
offer made by the Republican committee and even
went so far as to threaten the Republicans with an
Injunction I'm case they placed his name on their
ticket In this emergency Mr.. Fitche was selected
as the Republican candidate. and he had the satis-
faction of beatrg Kinkel whose defeat could not
hut have been peculiarly humiliating In view OF
the cavalier way In which he had spurned RepuDn-
can support
MR.. FITCHIES CAREER.
sunervisor-at-Large Fitchie is a native Of Orange
Count y. Y. and s about sixty years OF age.
lie learned the printers trade when youth In
Newburg and also spent short time In printing
office in BROOKLYN early In the ffties. He started
business for himself In NewYork city In 1861. ana
has since been resident of Brooklyn. For TWO
terms he represented the Seventh Ward in the
Boa-G ~ Supervisors where he made eood record.
In 1857 he was the Republican candidate for super
yisor-at- Large against John A. Quintard and was
defeated by about 200 votes. This was the year
in which Chaplin was elected Mayor over Colonel
Andrew d. Baird by less than goo votes. There IL
reason to believe that both Baird and F!tchie were
elected ard counted out. In 1893 Mr.. Fichies ma
tority over Kinei $780, although In 1891 k!nkel
had had a majority OF more than 5000.
The last OF the Kings County Supervisors-at-
Large is a genial man. easily approached and uni
formly good-natured. AS a presiding officer he Is
prompt efficient and bus.nesslike. Since his cleo
ton he mas not failed TO be present at every
meeting OF the Board. and he is always to be found
attends TO his duties more faithfully. He has dill
gently set himself in the way of all the numerous
Jobs which have sprung up in the Board OF super
vsors In the last two years and by his veioes has
saved arge sums Of money to the peUPc
he was confronted with the problem Of the at,
is ten Ring but he resouey refused to
recognize certain men whose election in dispute,
and the position which he took subsequently,
sustained by the courts. He went TO the extreme
limit OF his authority TO prevent the payment OF the
claim OF John -. Meyenborg. who wanted $1,000
for his alleged services counsel for the county in
the bond litigation ard took the risk OF being
declared In contempt OF court on account OF MS
course in that matter
THE NEwTOwN CREEK BRIDGE JOB.
His veto of the project to build bridge across
Newtown Creek at extravagant price is
fresh in the public mind; his reso.ute action was
sufficient TO put end TO what was plainly job.
Not long ago Mir. Fitche vetoed the appointment
Of Daniel Ryan superintendent OF Construction
and Repairs for three years TO come, holding that
the Board of Supervisors had no right to appoint
an officer to serve beyond the time OF its own ex-
istence. and he has just put his veto upon similar
resolution regarding the appointment OF an assist
ant to Superintendent Ryan. although the resolu
lion skilfully drawn that IL was hoped II
meh; escape his attention.
The Supervisor-at-Large is as watchfu! in small
matters as In large ones. and many Illustrations
might be given OF his care In ascertaining the value
Of work done and supplies furnished before ap-
proving OF resolutions providing for the expenditure
II money All sorts Of pressure have been brought
to bear upon him to induce him TO relax his policy
in this or that case. but always with the same re
suit. SO determined has he been In guarding the
hat no ber eand any fo yor CO cond DO se
leeied now that Mayor sch,ren has declared in un
cumstances accept denomination
PREVIOUS Observation-Disclosures
As has been said the first supervlsor-at-Large
was William j. Osborne. who elected JudIe
Of the city Court In 1856 for term OF fourteen
years and who will at the beginning OF next year
become Justice OF the Supreme Court. with which
the City Court Will be consolidated In accordance
with the provision OF the new Constitution Mr.
Osbornes successor in the office George L.
Fox who was elected In 1873; and the other Super
rs-at-Large have been az follows: James How
ell. subsequently Mayor for two terms and now
president Of the Bridge Trustees. elected In 1876: