The record-union., 1895-04-12

"a
lApplause from the Platt pit to the Tam
many gallery; the boxes smiled ap-
proVal.) The Reformers thought that
was a type Of all the appointments to
come, and the politicians said bluff had
to be made at first, so the bipartisan mill
tary engineer Colonel Waring) was a
satisfactory man to all. Platt had a
poWer-of-removal bill passed in a few
days, and the Mayor had many more ap-
polntments to make. But, from now on,
ne rails to come up to his standard. No
one was satisfied with the appointment
OF an OBSCURE young retired United States
army Lieutenant avery d. Andrews)
10 the Police Commissionership. from
Whlch Iammany man was ousted, but
tnere was no complaint. The youth was
evidently honest and was not attached
tH9, 10 any OF the potentially jealous factions.
Inc machine Republicans became sus-
plclous, however, and, under Platts or
ders, presented in the Legislature the
long expected police reform bill with
some provisions obnoxious to Mayor
otrong. A well-arranged public remon-
strance secured the amendment of some
OF the worst features OF the bill. but
enough that was offensive was retained
70 Keep the town in a fury up to date.
Platt, however, held back this, the Lexow
Oil, and all the other reform measures to
wave as whip over Strong and the city,
and thereby make life livelier still.
This situation brought out the first
discovered definite trait of Mr.. Strong's
character-his obStinacy. He wouldn't
bulge. On the contrary he pressed into
play another force of his personality-a
certain silent Vindictiveness. He hit
pack at Platt by giving the department
OF Public Works, rich in patronage and
In contracts, to William Brook field, q
bitter enemy of PlatCs, whom Platt had
CT Il i,,C 70
the party. When Mr.. Brooktield an
nounced his intention of filling his de-
partment with his friends the sadness
was general. The Reformers complained
justly enough that it was voluntary
sacrifice of The first plank of the plat
form. The Repu blicans sWore it was
the beginning of a conspiracy to disrupt
the party. Out of this idea was woven
the theory OF a sale of New York to Ohio
IN scheme to assure the nomination of
Mckinley as against the promising plans
Tor Reed. The politicians don't believe
this theory themselves. Their only
"proof'' is the fact that Strong came from
Ohio, and they know as all men now do,
who know the Mayor personally, that he
Is no such far-seelng man, and has about
him no one with an eye to such remote
future.
No, 1t is not any strong trait in the
Mayor that Is determining his policy-it
Is his weaknesses. His notion of nom
partisanship in Office is simply poly
partlsanship-a more or less equitable
division OF the spoils, modified by re-
sentiments and prejudice, with just SLY
touch OF an ambition to be the next Gov
ernor of the State. His principle of gem
eral distribution explains the otherwise
inconsistent conduct of his office; it ac-
counts for BroOkheld as the leader of fac
ton OF the old machine, for Col. Waring
in the STRENGTHENING Department as a
representative of the genuine good gov
ernment men, for the unknown Police
Commissioner as bone for the unorgan-
lied portions of the populace, and for all
the other appointments which are of men
at the head of several little party COM
Dlnatlons. Very few anti-Tammany or
CARNATIONS are now unrepresented in
the daily conferences of heads of depart
ments with his honor, the Mayor As
these leaders are filling their places with
their followers, the government, as may
be imagined, is complicated and con-
Trajectory tumble of theories in practice
OF municipal administration which have
but one end in common-the restoration
OF Tammany Hall. That experienced or
ganlzation is very hopeful, and our
Richard Croker has dictated from the
English ace-tracks the election to the
control OF the Hall of friends of his: if
things 60 on as at present he may con-
sent to serve his country as boss again.
AT any rate the election of his friends is
taken as sign of his confidence in the
present administration to reinstate him
in power, and Croker is the best Judge of
political situation this State can pro-
duce.
On the Republican side of the field the
bitterness of the factional feelings is in
tensitied by another weakness of the
honest Mayor" Platt says, in his quiet
way, that the Mayor broke a promise
made to him both before and after the
election. When he said that he was not
believed, the trust in the Mayor was
young and enthusiastic. Every day or
two some politician accused the Mayor of
the same ot1epse, a breach of a secret
pledge. This only made the town happy,
Tor while no one thought for a moment
tnat the politicians spoke the truth. il
was evident they were really disap-
pointed grievously. Then newspaper
men myself among them) found that the
good Mayor was apt at his convenience,
and, to our dismay, 10 repudiate his care
fully-noted words. As nearly all the pa-
pers were supporting Strong and good
government, however, nothing was said
In the nope mistake had been made
some where "by the printer" But the
Mayor kept on promising all anybody
wanted, and doing what the last man
dShcOf iii H0 LAS now S0rDrlS6G''
nearly everybody who has trusted him.
Even the Chamber of Commerce people,
the Committee of Seventy Ton whose
platform he was elected, the City Club
and prominent citizens have "misunder-
stood" something the Mayor has said.
They have mistaken" his words on
matters of policy, on bis attitude on leg
lslatlon, on matters where there is no room
to assign the accusations to office-seekers'
dlsappolntments. One man the other
day told the Mayor he lied, but he was
an obscure reporter and may have been
mistaken, still there were many men to
say that probably the reporter told the
truth exactly that time.
The truth Is that ii one wants to under
stand the moving situation in this CITY it
Is necessary to know that while the town
as whole still clings to Colonel strong
as all II has in the world, the citizens, in
dividually and in the clubs, are in de-
spair. The Mayor will have a fair and
patient trial, but he is rolling up lot of
personal grievances among men who ask
nothing but his confidence in return for a
solid backing that desires no material re-
ward, directly or Indirectly. He is act
ing the part OF the East Side shopkeeper
who tries TO please everybody with a pat
on the back and glowing promises as to
the wearing quality of goods which are
too cheap. He is small man in a big
place, and New York will say so soon.
But will the city try reform again? That
Is the burning question, which cannot be
answered yet. ills.
Easter. GanrTnn.