New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-13
STILL WAITING.

Al nm carly stage in the Tammany crusade
against the city's credit before the plan or ac-
tion which has now found its proper place
among the records of mbecllity had been ma
tured Mr. Croker being in mood OF moral ex-
o,tation and more than ordinarily loquacious,
threatened to have the Board Of Estimate ana
Anportionment under the last administration in
dicted 1t was remarked at the time that no.
body seemed to be seriously disturbed by TINS
nronunciamento-not even Mr. Justice Scott,
who may nevertheless have been slightly an
moved to find that Mr.. Croker considered his
successful candidate for the Supreme bench
fit subject for prosecution. But in the ears or
his cohorts. still kept out of good things lor
which their souls hungered and thirsted' Mt.
Croker's declaration had sonorous ana mar'iai
ring which was altogether pleasing, ana they
thought with rapture Of the time when ola
Strong and his associates, including Mr.. Justice
Scott. would be dragged into court TO answer
for their crimes against Tammany.
There was naturally much disappointment
among the faithful when they perceived that
this part Of their leaders programme was not
going to be carried out. but they were III
mea sure consoed by the assurance that millions
Of dollars worth Of appropriations were sure 10
be held up in order that they might ultimately
succeed 10 fat jobs from which the original con-
tractors had been scared off or squeezed out.
Thus for a time hope continued TO burn bright,
and the swelling chorus OF indignation against
the rulers who were willing 10 injure the citys
welfare and credit dSmayed them not at all;
for they said to themselves that the organiza-
ton would never yield to public clamor but
would keep right on with its plans for the com
fort Of the boys. But before long they be-
gan to grow shaky and Respondent, perceiving
from what they could understand of Whalens
successive opinions that the pressure was tell
ing on him and that the whole municipal outfit
was showing signs Of a humillating surrender
At last the blow fell and it almost killed them.
They heard the announcement that the city was
not officially bankrupt, that there was a hand
some margin or January !, that contracts for
schools and parks and bridges must be carried
out according TO the original agreements, and
that they were in imminent danger Of actually
having to get down and hustle for living. On
top of all-nOt, indeed as new disaster, but
as an added testimony to their bctrayal-calne
the administrators emphatic approval OF old
Stroug's docks, out Of which they had never
made an easy dollar. To be sure, It's plan for
extending the waterfront improvement may
give a few of them a chance TO get into the
treasury; but what is one good thing among so
many?
The most melancholy feature of the situation
is that faith is dead, which is an awful thing.
They have seen the organization beaten when
it claimed to have the game well in hand and
was promising an early distribution Of the
stakes. Predictions that the tide has turned
and that things Will soon begin to come their
way may be verified, but for the time being fall
to dissipate the gloom. What the boys are look
Ing for is sustenance. not solace.