Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-01
TAMMANYISOUT NOW
William L. Strong Inaugurated
Mayor Of New York.
REFORM OF MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS
Laws That Must Be Passed by the
Legislature.
AWAITING THEIR DISMISSAL

NEW YORK, January 1.-For the first
time in twenty years a mayor not of the
democratic faith is at the head of the
city government. William l.. Strong, who
was today inducted into the office, repre-
sents very much the same conditions and
social elements that asserted themselves
in 1872 In the elevation of William +.
Havemeyer to the mayoralty- In both
instances there vas revolt against muni-
cipal corruption. Upon both occasions
public sentiment was crystalized through
the medium of a committee of seventy.
the main purpose In 1872 being to over
throw the Tweed regime. and in 1891 to
correct abuses known or suspected in the
police and other departments of the city
government.
The exposure Of the practice OF levying
blackmail by the police. particularly upon
the criminal classes of society, who IN
consideration of their payments of money
were granted immunity from arrest. was
primarily the work of the society for the
prevention of vice, which procured the ap-
pointment of the state senate committee.
which has become famous under the name
of its chairman, Mr. Lexow of Nyack.
The unearthing of corruption in munich
pal affairs is only beginning of the work
of reform which is in contemplation, ana
which, before occurrences OF Sucn ABUSES
can be prevented, II Is Claimed, Calls iof
radical changes in the state laws relating
to the government of cities. without an
enlargement of the powers OF the mayor,
it is argued. Mr.. Strong. whatever may De
his disposition, is as helpless TO compat
corruption in the department as his preoe-
cessors in office have been. 1t is proposed
to enact a law giving the mayor the power
of removal over heads of bureaus, and an
absolute control of the police department.
Under the present system, while the mayor
appoints members of the police board ana
other department chiefs, he may not re-
move them except through processes that
practically amount to a deprivation OF me
power The framing of new laws touchlns
these points promises to be as important
work any that is likely to come before
the state legislature, and to bring out al
many conflicting theories
Shortly before noon the outgoing and IN
coming mayors met at the city hail. Aftei
the usual formalitieS, an interchange oi
greetings and the Introduction of the sew
eral heads of the departments to Mr..
Strong, Thomas F. Gilroy took his de-
parture from the mayors office. and. as
he has announced, fiom political life.
The new mayor will have clean slate
to work on, as Mr.. Gilroy left nothing un-
finished in the routine work of his office
when he left there last night.
The board of aldermen will not organize
uEul next week.
The new sheriff, Mr.. Tamsen. entered
upon the duties of his position today, and
SO did the new coroners, OMeagher and
HCeber.
Conditions for the new officials will be
somewhat different from those that have
prevailed heretofore. The new state con-
stitution goes into effect today. 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 initiated have no difficulty In placing
bets in many of the handbook offices which
have been running here.
Rumors Of intended designations of many
officials in the city departments are rife.
but it is generally believed that the nlen
In possession Of these very much coveted
places will hold on until they see whether
q power of removal bill will be passed at
Albany.