New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-08
THE INVESTIGATIONS.

The report published yesterday morning TO
the effect that Senator Plat had become ex-
ceedingly tired Of the Mazet investigation in
general aud Mr.. Moss in particular, ana that
the committee would soon be instructed 10
bring its labors to a close. did not long remain
uncoptradicted Before the end Of the day Mr.
Plat was quoted apparently on the highest
authority, as declaring with great gravity ana
earnestness that he had been msrepresented
that whatever he had said on the subject mere
" meant that he was not responsible for the
committee that the committee was not respon-
sible TO him, but to the Assembly; that the
investigation had strikingly revealed some or
the worst features Of Tammany government
and that he thought we'll of Mr.. Moss. Though
this disavowal was reasonably complete, 1t was
supplemented in his most authentic manner by
Mr.. Lemuel Ely Quigg who took pains to char
acterize the talk about ''call off, as absurd,
and finally Mr. Moss himself thought 1t worth
while to say that the investigation would go
on and TO affirm what, at least Of late, nobody
has doubted. that he took the post of counsel
N the committee on the express stipulation
TINT he should be free from dctation or inter
ference Of any kind.
The public having therefore no seeming rea'
son 10 suppose that it is witnessing the last
stages of an enterprise with which the authors
thereof are disguised will perhaps Ak It's atten-
ton with renewed interest upon the proceedings
which are to be resumed to-day. There may be
differences of opinion among reputable citizens
who are sincerely opposed to Tammany Hall as
to the original purpose of the investigation, but
all such persons we think are now convinced
not only that it has been conducted in good
IL lo- lopa oh al q yVn
Tammany's course since its return to power
had been openly such as TO preclude the pos
sibility of startling surprises, but nevertheless
the community which knew 1t well was scarcely
prepared for so conclusive demonstration OF
the system by which It converts every agency
of influence and authority into source or po-
litcal and personal ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, or realized
that the system had reached such state OF
perfection. The proofs IN this line which MT
Moss has drawn from the undisputed leaders
of the organization including Mr.. Croker him
self, have unquestonably produced deep I'M
preston upon the people, though the incidents
of the inquiry have been in the main less spec
| tacular and have caused less excitement than
| those which attended the Lexow Investigation.
The community is likely to agree, further
! more that this IS a time for increased assduity
| and vigor in the pursuit Of the truth regard
! ing Tammany government rather than for a
relaxation of effort on the part of the com
mittee and its counsel The organization, II
not on the verge Of disruption, as some assert
and many would be glad to believe, Is unmis-
takably harassed by the energetic assault of
| Sheehan and his friends, and subject, besides,
to such doubts and embarrassments In respect
to the near future In local and still more in
| National politics as may not improbaby pro
| duce serious resentments and divisions. To say
| the least Crokers ascendancy is threatened,
and under the conditions from which he derives
his power threat is not trivial matter. The
circumstances are consequently favorable to an
| investigation conducted with the sole purpose
of getting at facts which deeply concern the
public and which It is entitled 10 know. Mr.
Moss would seem to have acquired, partly by
| his own skill and resource, some advantages
which he did not possess at the outset
And this leads us to express, with respect
and goodwill. the hope that Mr. Moss will moi
| expend his energy 10 imprudent and not wholly
| relevant discussions Of questions as to which
| MANY good citizens do not agree with him. II
he will pardon US for saying so, there Is q
rather prevalent impression that he has re
Gently talked too much outside Of the commit
tee room. The special business which Is under
his immediate direction Is sufficient TO engros'
his excellent talents, and we are persuaded
that he will secure better results by combining
them strictly to the investigation which the
public believes he Is fully competent to manage