The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-01-02
Tammany's Representatives Step Out
and Mayor strong aud other Re-
formers Take Their Places.
MORTON SUCCEEDS FLOWER
SIMPLE INAUGURATION CEREMONIES
AT THE STATE CAPITAL.
Many People Congratulate the New
Governor of the Empire State-Pat-
tison's Retiring Message.

NEW YORK, JAN 1.-The Tammany
tiger, which has found good hunting ground
in this metropolis. and which has held
undisputed sway for the past twenty-five
years, retired to his den to-day shorn of
the freedom of the city, privilege he free
ly enjoyed to his profit.
William Strong was to-day indicted into
office as Mayor, succeeding Thomas #.
Gilroy. Mayor Strong represents very much
the same conditions and social elements
that asserted themselves in 1872 in the
election of William +. Havemeyer to the
mayoralty. In both instances there was
revolt against municipal corruption. On
both occasions public sentiment was crystal
tied through the medium of a committee
OF seventy the main purpose in 1872 being
20 overthrow the Tweed regime and in 1894
TO correct abuses, known or suspected in
the police and other departments of the
city government. The exposure of the prac-
tice of levying blackmail by the police, par
ticularly on the criminal classes of society.
who, in consideration of their payments
of money were granted immunity from ar
rest, was primarily the work of the Society
for the Prevention of Vice, which procured
the appointment of the State Senate COM
mittee which has become famous under
the name of its chairman, Mr.. Lexow.
The unearthing of corruption in municipal
affairs is only beginning of the work of
reform which Is in contemplation and which
before occurrences of such abuses can be
prevented it is claimed calls for radical
changes in the State laws relating to the
government of cities. Without an enlarge
nent of the powers of the Mayor, it is
argued, Mr. Strong, whatever may be his
disposition, is helpless to combat cor
ruption in the departments his pre-
decessors in Office have been. 1t is pro-
posed to enact a law giving the Mayor
power Of removal over heads of bureaus
and an absolute control of the police de-
partment. Under the present system, while
the Mayor appoints members of the police
board and other department chiefs, he may
not remove them except through processes
that practically amount to a deprivation
OF the power. The framing of new laws
touching these points promises to be as
important work as any that is likely to
come before the State Legislature and to
bring out as many conflicting theories
Shortly before noon the ingoing and out
gong mayors met at the City Hall. After
the usual formalities and interchange of
greetings and the introduction of the sew
eral heads of the departments TO Mr..
Strong. Mr.. Gilroy took his departure from
from political life. The new Mayor will
have u clean slate to work on, as Mr.. Gill
roy left nothing unfinished in the routine
work of his office when he left last night.
The Board of Aldermen will not organize
until next week. The new sheriff, Mr..
Tamsen,- entered on the duties of his posi-
ton to-day, and SO did the new coroners.
Conditions for the new officials will be
somewhat different from those thai have
prevailed heretofore. The new State Con-
stitution went into effect to-day. Under it
every species of gambling is prohibited and
classed as criminal offense. Of course
the public pool rooms have been closed
for over year and half, but the mi
tiated have no difficulty in placing bets in
many of the handbook offices which have
been running here.
Runlors of intended designations of many
officials in the city departments are rife,
but 1T is generally believed that the men
tn possession OF these very coveted places
will hold on until they see whether power
of removal bill will be passed at Albany.