New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-02
DELLTERING THE GOODS.

One Of Mayor Van Wyck's first official acts
was to appoint Thomas l.. Hamilton Commits
soner of Police This selection had been an
ticlpatcd. and it creates no surprise. But it is
interesting ms the first fruits Of Thomas c.
Plat's reward for drawing off support from
Mr. Van Wyck's chief antagonist and making
possible Tammany victory on minority
vote Mr. Plat evidently knew what he was
about when he betrayed the city into Tam
many hands He wrOnged the people who
wanted decent government lie dealt a fear
full blow 10 the Republican party by giving
Tammany weapons with which TO fight it ID
the State and Nation. But he had himself and
his personal machine taken care Of. How
close IS the Tammany-Platt combination may
be plainly read in the light of few indlsputa'
bic facts of political history.
Mr.. Hamilton is known almost solely 10 the
rublic as "Gibbss man" Whether that repu-
tation is one to be proud Of or not we do not
attempt to say Mr.. Hamilton is apparently
fond of IL. since his friends boast Of his deyo-
ton 10 Gibbs as one Of the strong points in
his character Nobody asserts that he would
have any political prominence but for Gibbs.
and nobody denies that Mr.. Van Wyck has ap-
pointed him to the Police Board because Gibbs
wanted it and Platt backed up his wish.
And who is Gibbs, whose selection for Police
Commissioner is honorei by Tammany az the
voice Of the Republican party? He is FREDERICK
S. Gibbs who was a Republican member of the
Legislature Of 1890. On May %, 1890, the Re
publican State Committee unanimously adopted
a resolution declaring that the party had been
blocked in passing measures Through the
treachery" Of Frederick s. Gibbs, by whose
influence an element of the party was made
IAN ally of Tammany Hall, and throughout the
session worked in the Interest OF the Dem0c-
"racy" These resolutions were presented over
the signatures Of Louis +. Payn, now Supern-
tendent of Insurance; Timothy l.. Woodruff,
now Lieutenant Governor. and George w. Al
bridge, now Superintendent of Public Works.
Following their advice, Gibbs was read ont OF
the party as a traitor by the State Committee,
and his Republican constituents were advised
not TO renominate him, and the Newly ork
County Committee also expelled him from its
membership.
Gibbs now has his recompenja. He suffered
for Tammany. and now Tammany gives him
his reward He the traitor TO the Republican
party, is selected by the men to whom he be
trnyed the party to dictate who shall be the
most powerful representative Of that party in
the government of the city Of New-fork NO
diagram is needed to explain such train OF
circumstances. The dealing Is as evident as it
was in the passage Of the Charter Commission
bill three tines through legislative houses ny
the aid Of Tammany votes. II Is as evident
as It was in the putting mp of General Tracy
TO beat Seth Low. 1t Is as evident as II was
In the complete ignoring by Tammany or lis
10000 real opponents TO give all minority rep
resentation to the machine, which cast only
100000 votes. and was in alliance. rather than
in opposition Mr. Hamilton is TO be congratu-
lated upon his appointment, If he likes holding
his place as the exhibit and the proof Of Platt
and Crokers trades and dealings.