New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-08
4 STUDENT or SCRIPT RE-.

The BROOKLYN Bridge rciOices in chief en-
gineer named PrObas Samuel X. PrObasco-
and he Is a person Of importance and student
of the Holy Scriptures. In fact. on conSidera-
ton we should say he was IA bigger man IMAM
old Grant" and nearly as big as the late william
NJ Tweed whose ideas Of the relation OF ONCE
holder and taxpayer he seems 10 have absorbed
Mr. Samuel X. PrObascO was approached le"
days ago by Il reporter with question con-
corning the employment at public expense Oh
certain laborers on the Bridge The subject
was not one of any great moment, but as some
query had been made by citizen about II. the
intention was to give the people such lhforiha-
ton or explanation seemed to he desired
concerning one of their great public institutions.
Accordingly the inquiry was laid before MI
Probasco And this was his answer;
IT'S none of his damn business. and II does not
come within the province Of a newspaper to In
vestigate the workings Of this or any other de-
partment don't propose TO say anyln n,,,t
about it, Those men are there and they're going
to stay there until the Commissioner orders
otherwise Why don't you go and inquire why
the white lead works employs so many men,
The reporter answered that the lead works
were private property. while the Bridge ne
Iongcd TO the taxpayers, who had right to he
interested in its management. That reminder
called forth the following from Mr.. Probasco:
Why. a taxpayer called on me few days ago
and before leaving my office he said that ne was
going to have me arrested for using ihpIopei :
language Now. I'll use whatever language |
please. The Bible is full of damns-so am al
times.
Concerning the truth OF the last statement
probably the taxpayer-we wonder IL he couhi
have been Mr. Randolph OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
doubtless agree. and TO judge from the prlei
spccimcns of Mr. Probasco's conversation M
hand we should conccdc that. 50 far as being
full OF damns goes Mr. Probasco Is highly
scrjptural But we would mildy-very mildly
we do not wish to be damned ovcrmuch- Sug-
cest 10 Mr. ProbascO that as an ohce-hoder IN
m snti-damning administration he would do
we'll 10 stop swearing and leave hot language
70 the Mayor. who can be peppery without be
ing profanc. .,
But damning aside. Mr.. Probasco should
give little thought to his declaration that the
doings of public office are nobodys business
The new police captain in the Tendcroin an
nounced the same doctrine the other day. lie
would not have reporters in his station watching
how he enforced the law But n coolcr-hcadcd
sunerlor the next morning said that station
house was public office, in which scarcherS
for information had a right Then. too, Mr.. Pro
hosco should recall the fate OF fellow Brook
lynitc named Chaplin Alfred {. Chaplin who
tried 10 carry on government under a blanket
and refused to answer questions from citizens
about buying water company until he had
made wastcful bargain The courts lifted the
blanket and Alfred {. Chaplin was tossed IN II
ont of public life. Also he should think on the
end of the admired Tweed Tweed thought
that taxpavers were made 10 pay bills. not To
ask questions. His famous What are You 20
ing 10 do about IT, long held the public ~ hay.
But finally an impudcnt person did investigate
the workings OF some departments. AMI IN" re-
suits were published In newspaper Ana
Tweed died I'm prison. Mr. Probasco Is doubt
loss n great man and his damns are terrifying,
but If he ever read the Bible for any purpose
except TO enjoy the damns il contains ne may
have learned that the way OF IN" wicked j.
rs darkness" and that every Oh" thai do"fh
"cvil hatcth the light. neither cometh =" IN"
eight. lest his deeds should he rcproved.