New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-02-27
"HANGING UP" At ALBANY.

1t is something more than a suspicion ihat
hills intended TO reform existing abuses in our
municipal government are hung up at Albany
with the deliberate purpose of forcing zeal
and extorting concessions from Mayor Strong 10
the Tammany Republicans. That purpose was
openly proclaimed before the passage or the
Power Of Removal bill, but public opinion was
so manifestly in favor of that measure, and so
impatient of delay, that the Tammahy hepup-
leans in the Legislature were compelled. though
reluctantly to take action upon IT without at
taching conditions thereto. That they seriousI!
intended to make the passage of this Dill con-
dition for demanding recognition or their ieau-
err and patronage for his henchmen, was lhaue
evident at once by the cutlery when lmiheuiale!
followed the Mayors first appointments uhuer
the act. Apparently insensible TO the shameless
ness Of the avowal, they did not hesitate 10 eN-
press regret for their action and TO say openly
that they would never have given the Mayor
the mower of removal had they not supposed
he would exercise It according TO the WISHES ana
under the direction of the Tammany Repub
,icon loader 1t was because the Mayor did exer-
else ii independently, and, as all men concede'
conscientously. that the Tammany-Repupncah
leader began shrickng about broken faith, ana
started immediately his crusade against the
Mayor.
That crusade is now ON. BY sarcasm. sneer
and innuendo in one newspaper, and silly, though
vicious. caricature in another the Mayor mas
been made fully aware that, no matter now
much talk there may be about Harmony the
Tammany- Republican Boss is on the warpath
against him, his appointments and his policy
And the Boss" is relentless, implacable. NO
concession now can conciliate him, no compro-
mise secure his adhesion or any support
from him. that would not be Immediately dan
gcrous. and in the end disastrous. So long as
William Brookield is Commissioner Of Public
Works the Boss" sees Only Mordecai sitting In
the kings gate The Mayor manifests no in
clnation either to disoblige Mr.. Platt, or 10 go
out Of his way 10 placatel him. And when that
person and his Tammany Republican following
threaten, as they now do, to hang up legisla-
ton at Albany, upon which the success OF me
movement for municipal reform largely de
ponds. in the hope of "rattling' him, he answers
with undisurbed serenity chat he is not concern
ing himself with matters at Albany, they Delhg
beyond his province, but that whatever meas
ures the Legislature may pass relating to mu-
nicipal administration he will endeavor conscien-
tously and faithfully to enforce. Meantime. he
is making no deals and entering into no agree
ments either TO procure or defeat legislation. IT
is an honorable and dignihed position. and
the vast majority Of the voters Of this city will
sustain him in it whatever happens at Albany.
And the Tammany Republicans, who are con
templating policy Of retaliation upon Mayor
Strong by hanging up proposed legislation in
the interest Of reform, will do well TO bear III
mind the rather important circumstance that,
while the Mayor will undoubtedly view their
action or nOn-action with the cheerful philosophy
he has thus far shown in the discharge or his
arduous official functions, there are more than
10000 voters in this city who are very much III
earnest In their demand for the enactment or
laws which will insure them safety and protec-
ton and overturn absolutely the corrupt system
under which they have SO long suffered 1t is
with these voters that the Tammany -RepuD-
cans who stand between them and the reforms
they desire, will have to reckon. Nor with these
alone but with that great body OF honest citi-
Zens Of the Whole State who have been made
acquainted with the shameful abuses Of our city
government, and who profoundly sympathze
with this rOgue-ridden community. The legisla-
ton which is 'hung up at Albany Is demanded
by universal public opinion. Whoever assists in
contriylng it's defeat or its emasculation by any
sort of parliamentary trick or device, evasion or
subterfuge, will be held responsible at the bar
Of public opinion. Legislators at Albany aud
especially Tammany Republican legislators, will
do well to bear this in mind. The people voted
TO overthrow Tammany in the city and the
State. They meant 1t more than they have
meant anything for many years. And they Will
NOT he tricked ont Of the results OF their victory
by the treachery Of Tammany sympathizers In
the Republican camp.