New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-18
A BLACKNAILING THREAT.

The New-York Police Board consists OF four
members two Democrats thoroughly obedient
to Richard Croker and two men supposed TO
represent the Republicans Of this city. Ono Of
the Commissioners. Mr. Philips, is now await
ing trial under indictments charging him with
serious crimes connected with the scandal in
the Brooklyn Department OF City Works. Pub
lie attention has frequently been drawn to the
improperly OF permitting n man accused OF de-
frauding the city. in whose behalf efforts were
made TO bribe the Grand Jury. to continue TO
exercise control over the Department which has
an important share in preparing the case against
him and his friends. To all these representa-
tons Mayor Van Wyck has turned a deaf ear.
and Mr.. Philips has been left to use the
patronage Of the Department for his own In
terest and discourage the Detective Bureau II
he saw fit. 1t was evidently thought that 80
long as Mr.. Philips was ready to do Tam
many's work no charges united him for Office.
and that in case he was inclined TO be dsobedi
ent II was better to have a man who could be
threatened than one whose independence might
make him stubborn.
Mr. Phllipss troubles are now apparently
about to be turned to Tammany advantage
One Of Mr.. Cookers dearest ambitions IL
full adhesion to Tammany. Accordingly, one
Of the first acts of the present administration
was to make him an inspector, and then Deputy
Chief utterly In defiance OF the spirit Of the
new charter and, II is believed by some, 40 in
defiance Of its letter that the promotion will be
declared void In the courts Now Mr.. Croker
insists that Chief McCullagh shall be removed
that Devery may reign in his stead. That prop
ositon. 1t Is said. the Tammany Commissioners
favor. while Messrs. Hamilton and Philips OPP
pose One more vote is absolutely needed TO
carry 1t through with the Mayors help. There
fore If Mr.. Philips can be cajoed or frightened
into yielding Mr.. Croker can put Devery at the
head OF the police force. In view Of that fact
1t is uncommony Interesting TO note that 1t is
being talked about in police and political circles
that the Mayor Is thinking Of removing Mr..
Philips because OF the indictments hanging
over him."
Now, that IL nothing less than threat Of black
mail. II Devary's advancement is secured by the
removal Of Mr.. Philips, or by Mr.. PhIlipss con
version on the theory that his own removal would
be too high price 10 pay for opposition which
could accomplish nothing II the Mayor chose TO
get rid Of him. 1t will be notice to New-York that
Tammany has not scrupled TO make Mr. Phil
ipss present embarrassments the means Of
controlling him. Tammany can not only threat
On him with removal. but II can threaten TO
use It's power TO secure the conviction Of him.
self and his friends. And, conversely 1t can
offer TO help him and TO he tender in its In
vestgatons II he will vote in the Police Board
according to instructions. We think It unfortn-
nate that Mr.. Philips. however innocent he
may be- wns permitted to remain In Office IN
der circumstances which inevitably threw sus
picion on the conduct of the Police Department
and on the detective work in his case But
his removal now. after all excuses which the
Mayor may make about ''propriety" have been
discredited, would be scandal vastly greater
thsn.hsS bsep- caused by. his retention. To use