The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-06


who were his creatures. sent them to prison at
his bidding. He had thugs ready to do what
he ordered in Gravesend and after a few
experiences. his enemies decided that there
was no use In opposing him. At one time he
had mortgages on almost every building at the
west end OF Concy Island. He gave up his
occupation as a builder. took an Office at 40
Court street. Brooklyn. and hung out a shingle
as contractor. Gravesend continued to flop
from side to side at each election and for a long
time McKane was allowed to WELD his political
power without Interference. The end came
in 1893.
In fight against McKane in that year tho
services OF William J. Gaynor. then a lawyer OF
Brooklyn and a candidate for the Supreme
Court bench. were enlisted by McKane's oppo-
nents. the reformers. and Mr.. Gaynor sot out
to secure fair vote in tho town OF Gravesend.
McKane had returned 6.0o0 names OF voters
In territory where the total population accord
ing to the then last census was little over
5000. MIR. Gaynor sent agents to dravesend
to make copies OF the registration lists. Access
to the lists was denied the agents by McKane.
An application for a writ OF mandamus was
made and denied. Then Mr. Gaynor declared
that he would send 100 men into Grayesend to
follow up tho election inspectors and make
formal demand for the registry lists. On the
night OF Nov. 4. Mr. Gaynor's party.
led by John Mcnamara. who was chief
clerk in Mr. Gaynor's law office. got of a
train at Gravesend. They were immedi-
ately surrounded by armed men. hustled into
trucks and driven to the lock-up. where
they were SO crowded into cells that they had
to stand up all night Many OF the men were
punched and dubbed by their captors. who
we're acting under instructions from McKane.
The next morning the mon were taken be-
fore Justice Kenneth F. Sutherland one Of
McKane's creatures. charged with vagrancy
and committed to prison without bail On the
following day they were released on vrits Of
habeas corpus.
Mr. Gaynor and his friends did no more about
the registration lists until election day. when
Col. Alexander s. Bacon led a company Of
watchers, bearing credentials from the Repub-
lican General Committee. to Gravesend. Col.
Bacon had an Injunction. issued by Justice
Barnard. directing McKane and his subor-
dinates not to Interfere with the watchers.
McKane. followed by hundred Of his men.
armed with niRhtsticks. advanced on Col.
Bacon and his men. and Col Bacon produced
Infamous remark:
"Injunctions don't go here"
McKRne's men charged on Col. Bacon. beat
him and threw him into jail. dubbed q number
of his watchers, locked three OF them up and
drove the others out Of town. Watchers for
Republicans and Dem were selected by
McKane. and put on duty at the polls. and the
voting went on without further interruption.
Ten indictments were found against McKane
as n result OF this days work and after long.
hard-fought trial no was convicted and SEN
fenced to six years in Sing Slug prison. The
verdict was fought through all the courts 1t
was successivey sustained and on March l.
1894. John Y. McKane. stripped OF all the
powers which no had enjoyed for a quarter of
century. entered Sing Sing prison. a convict.
He was nun bered 1913. and was put to work
in the tailor shop as a clothing cutter. His
nerve. which held him up during his trial
utterly forsook him when the doors OF the
prison closed after him. and for many weeks
he was a physical and mental wreck. He
braced up somewhat later and became model
prisoner
His friends work ed increasingly to secure a
pardon for him. and in 1896. afildavits were
presented to Gov Morton stating that lie was
dying of Bright's disease. The Governor re-
fused TO shorten the term and McKane was ot
released until he had served four years and
two months. his full time. with Communication
for good behavior. On April 30. 1898. he
walked out OF the prison a free man. He wen,
at once to his old home, where he met his wife
| and children Since that time his health had
not been OF the best and he had been living
| quietly.