Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-26


proof Of this assertion.
CITY RULED AT CROKER's CLUB
The Democratic club is referred TO indi-
rectly az the place from which the c"S
government Is run.
The commissioners are said 20 enjoy OPP
portunities. which without violating 'hs
criminal law. enable them 10 look FORWARD
composedly TO retirement at the END or
one official term.
Referring by Inference 10 the testimony
| Of Richard Croker II r. declared that MS
disclosures OF avenues by which puDic
| money. or private money puoicig III
| nuenced. may flow into his pockets are
so rich that vast wealth may be account
ed for without proving the violation OF
| criminal statutes.
The names Of the leaders OF Tammany
Hall and their relations 20 the city gov
eminent are presented I'm detail. and Is
argued. By quotations from the evidence
Of Dock Commissioner Murphy end Chart
ties-Commlssioner Laniry. that II IS held
10 be the first duty Of every commissioner
TO look first to the interests Of this political
organization rather than 10 those OF the
city.
Upon this statement OF conditions alleg-
! ed 10 exist II is recommended that the
/ Mayors power Of removal should be CO.
/ be required 10 oversee the work Of his APP
pointees. and that he should be response
bic for their acts
II Is further recommended that the
/ Mayors term should be shortened TO two
years and that he should be eligible for
Reelection. IN which connection it is said:
"A four-year term. with IT'S present OPP
portunities FOR self-enrichment. IS a great
temptation. and would be such 20 any or
ganization which might gain control Of
the city."
These changes in the charter. II f.
urged should be made AZ once. and would
reach tho root Of the trouble
The fact that the Mayor is not inform
cd of what his commissioners are doing
under the present system. and that ne
assumes no responsibility for their acts.
IS declared TO be established by the testi-
mOny OF Mayor Van Wyck and others.
regarding the proposed Ramapo water
contract.
Attention IS called TO the execution of
various contracts for opening and I'M
proving streets I'm the Bronx. awarded
previous 10 1888. 4 report of the Commits
sioners Of Accounts upon this work is
declared 10 constitute complete indict-
mert OF the Department OF Highways
and yet the Mayor did nothing
The Mayor IL is said should have re-
moved the Commissioners OF Accounts. or
disciplined the Commissioner Of High |
ways. but he either dared not take the |
latter course because OF Commissioner
keatings influence, or because he did
not think he could establish a case for
removal which would satisfy the techni- |
cal requirements Of the courts.
Among other examples of great works
which commissioners have undertaken 70 |
originate without being checked or adj /
vised by the Mayor are cited the locating /
Of the Blackwell Island and East river |
bridges, and the Newton and Flushing /
canal, and The mapping of queens county. /
an i'm such way aa 10 affect many phi /
vate interests
The personnel Of the Dock Department /
is criticised. especially Commissioner
Murphy. I'm the light of his testimony re-
garding the bestowal Of patronage.
TAX DEPARTMENT CRITICISED.
The operations Of the Tax Department,
il is asserted. have been characterized by
unparalleled ignorance and unfairness
The Board of Public improvements ia
declared 20 possess dangerous powers in
view Of its composition.
The smaller boroughs are said 10 lack
proper representation i'm the Board Of Is
innate and Apportionment
Boroughs. borough presidents. and To-
cal boards. il is declared, were created
TO serve for home rule, but have failed
TO accomplish their purpose, and I'm
word, popular government has broken
down in the city.
II is recommended that the Board OF
Public improvements be abolished by en-
larging the class Of matters which local
boards or borough presidents may adopt
or send directly 10 the Municipal Assem-
bly,. and by directing the various commits
siOners 10 meet with the Mayor at stated
intervals.
The Board Of Estimate and Apportlon-
ment, It IS suggested. should be relieved
Of the corporation counsel and the presi-
dent OF the Tax Department and should
contain the five borough presidents.
The Municipal Assembly. 10 Is declared.
should be reduced to one body. the Board
Of Aldermen, with the borough presidents.
Its members should be compelled 10 at
tend it's sessions. and should receive
5000 year salary. II should have power
TO originate, and TO amend important
measures.
Counsel declare that they have been un-
able TO ascertain the number Of city en-
ployees or the amount paid for salaries.
but that both have been greatly increased
since consolidation. They recommend the
prompt enactment of law compelling
every head Of q department TO furnish a
monthly statement of the number Of his
employees and the amount of his pay
roll.
CHAPTER on CROKER.
a long chapter is devoted to Mr. Croker
and hts absolute control Of the city gov
eminent. and the nomination of candi
dates. and attention is called with en-
phasis Co his refusal 20 testify on many