New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-16
nr1AY AROUSES SUSPICION.
v.ypL1NG OF THE BROOKLYN BRIBERY
CASES SEVERELY CRITICISED.

APATHY IN THE pIsTRIcr-ArroR~Ers OFFICE
po,IcE DEPARTMENT DELAY EXPLAINED
TT THE RETENTION OF ONE OF THE
INDICTED, MEN AS COMMISSIONER
p.snectabe and honest citizens in BROOKLYN and
v.nhsttan yesterday were discussing the PARALYSIS
..., seems 10 have taken sudden possession o. III.
po,.e Department and the Kings County District,
,,,orney's ONCE. in their handling OF the BROOKLYN
SrSery scandal
7, was minated by District-Attorney Marean
.oon after Frederick c. Isles confessed that he had
,.ceyed money from Winant and Colonel Web
s,er" 70 bride the March Grand Jury that the DO
IL. had Colonel Webster under surveillance and
could lay their hands him any time II IL
now four days since Isles confessed and gave Mr.
Marean accurate description OF Colonel Web
ster" Colonel William Hepburn. who I. IS assert,
3D. is cousin Of Police Commissioner William F.
philips is known 70 bear a striking resemblance "a
colonel Webster" Isles has been able and willing
A. any moment 10 tell whether Hepburn Is or is no,
Webster" yet apparently no move has been made
10 bring the two men face 10 face. Hepburn sent
word 10 Mr.. Marean yesterday that he could be had
when wanted. and Mr. Marean replied that he would
no, he needed until Monday or possibly Tues
DAY
Why so accommodating 10 Hepburn. What pow
er,ul hand. Il any. has rea shed out 10 delay the
hoar when IL he proved whether or not Hep.
burn ia the much wanted Webster?
The suspicion Is growing stronger and stronger
that tho political machines OF the enlarged city,
tho Plat machine and the Croker machine are as
ore in the determination 20 somebody who
OF value 10 them. II is strange spectacle that IS
presented William E Philips one OF the Repub-
Mcan Police Commissioners. under indictment is
allowed TO retain office by Mayor Van Wyck. The
alleged bribery Is said 10 have been perpetrated by
Philips's private secretary and OF his rela-
tives. and yet Mayor Van Wyck leaves Philips in
Office. where he is in position TO overawe the
police. as his subordnates and TO prevent them. If
he chooses. from making the free search that they
should make for all the men whose hands have
been befouled by this crime
BUSINESS AND OTHER RELATIONS.
The relations borne by the principals in the City
Works Department and bribery scandals are worth
reviewing. to make the whole situation clear.
Theodore B. Willis. Brooklyn's last City Works
Commissioner. and Philips were indicted by the
March Grand Jury for conspiring to sell fraudulent
contracts 10 contractors. Philipss wife Is Wilss
cousin. and he spent much OF his time at the CITY
Works Department although he had no Official
connection with the Department.
Willis succeeded in making Philips one OF the
Police Commissioners after Tammary Hall had
learned that Philips the sort OF man wanted
in that position. Isles's confession has it that
Winant. who is Philipss private secretary and
whose assumed name was Webster offered
him uSleS) $2o,UU TO prevent the Grand jury from
.ndicting Willis and Philips. And now Hepburn.
who is q cousin OF Philips is said TO look like
Webster. and has not been enough TO Isles
10 bring end the uncertainty as to whether
he really is Webster
Again there are other relationships besides those
o. marriage. Willis and Philips were both jealous
leutenants OF the Republican machine. They were
members OF the City Committee. appointed by
Quigg. Two political machines. Jointly entrenched
IN power. often make common cause in extremity
and this is thought TO be most decidedly
case Of extremity by those who have followed the
situation closely. Mayor Van Wyck has the power
OF absolute removal Of Philips. but he has not
even asked him resign.
PHILIPS SAFE FOR THE PRESENT
Mayor Van WICK has declined 70 talk about the
case Of Police Commissioner Philips but officials
close 70 him in the City Hall said yesterday tina,
he was not going 10 turn Mr.. Philips out o. once
unless there much delay in bringing him 20
trial on his Indictment. The Mayor had written
letter the District Attorney % Kings County the
officials said. asking for the speedy trial OF Mr..
Philips because he Police Commissioner. and
had sent a copy OF the request 10 Mr.. Philips Re-
pies had been received by the Mayor indicating
that Mr.. Philips would have speedy trial Under
the circumstances. it was said. the Mavor did no.
desire 10 PREJUDICE the case - the Police Commit
s,oner by removing him rom ONCE bat he would
not allow too much delay in tho trial President
York OF the Police Board had consultation with
the Mayor Yesterday. and. while neither man would
say So the report 81 the CITY Hall was that Mr.
York had urged the Mayor not 10 put Mr.. Philips
OF, until .hc excitement the latest bribery de-
veiopments had subside1. ara MI fhinpS cou'' "-
tired without prejudice.
Republicans IN the county Of New York nave
been saying recently shat the retention o. MI
Philips in Office since the BROOKLYN scandals came
% Ugh, was mistake. and Nigh; rcAeci dscred't
upor the regular Republican Organization. wnich
Mo- f-f ms
moss 0, Nj Philips in the organization was ended
I. was declared as he could not retain leadership
in his dstric. in Brooklyn. and II would De pe,Ie'
.o- the organization 20 have him ge' out OF ONO"
as quickly as possible and make room FOR anotner
Republican district leader Of influence in Brooklyn
Senator Plat Republican politicians nave declareo
came 70 The decision several days ago tina. ne
could not be placed in the position o. attempting
20 shield either Mr.. Philips or MI Wills ana o'o
not believe they could retain any serviceaoie IN
fuence in their party in Brooklyn hepuohcah
politician in the confidence OF Mr.. Plat said yes
terday
Republican organization. and It looks as II they
nigh, De damage to H. Their conviC,.onI ee IN
Brooklyn Even II they are no, convicted. they
cannot retain positions OF eadership N ther bn
parry who may want 70 save them Pg w %o quo OF
better for ne organ.za on Mr rns sc,ivtv a.
once
INCIDENTS WHICH MARK A CONTRAST.
rhe ability OF the political machines TO shield
and protect accused persons from prosecution es-
pecially when one OF the who IL deeply inter
estcd in this prosecution IS "a Police commissioner
canno, questioned and there have certainly been
incidents IN the conduct OF the Police Department
and the District-Atorney's Office in Brooklyn IN
the asst month tina. enough TO create many mis-
givings.
There Is a marked contrast between the business
lke rlynrn,a Manu- with which the Distrlct-At-