The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-25
WOODRUFF. 9ARKE TALK.
THE LIEUTENANT-1OTER NOR COMES
orr IN EASI TICTOR.

ncnts of Facts and Turns Others Against
| Hlm-Soon Has the Mixed Audience of
Republicans and Democrats with Hin
E1-Commis.ioner Rider Gets Talked To.
| Lieut. Gov Timothy l.. Woodruff com pletely
| routed John 4. Clarke. the Democratic cand-
date for District Attorney in Brooklyn. in their
| debate in the Brooklyn Academy OF Music last
| night, on the Records bill. There was an
| audience that packed the large auditorium
| from the orchestra floor to the topmost gallery.
| and hundreds OF people. who were unable to
get in the theatre. waited OH the sidewalk out
| side to hear how the much talked OF discussion
| was going.
Democrats and Republicans were ranged
| by previous agreement In alternate rows
| throughout the house and each speaker had
| an even number OF admirers at the outset.
But toward the finish. while Mr.. Clarke was
! houndering helplessly around trying TO hit
| upon some popular point to Offset the favorable
| impression made by the vigorous speech OF his
| adversary, the entire house broke into roars
| OF laughter ana the candidate for District
| Attorney retired very red in tho face and ap-
| parently very uncomfortable.
| Mr. Clarke made plucky fight against the
| Lieutenant Governor. but the weakness Of his
| speech was that the bulk OF his information
| about the Records bill came to him from out
side sources. sources he called Republican. but
which turned out to be the men who were
turned out OF fat salaried offices by the passage
| Of the bill under discussion. Personally. Mr.
| Clarke seemed to know very little ABOUT the
| bill or what was intended TO accomplish by
| It, On the other hand Mr.. Woodruff knew all
about it.. Every little detail was at his tongues
/ end. and answering the hearsay charges OF
| Mr.. Clarke with personal knowledge was as
! easy AZ rolling off 10y with him. and nightly
The d. bate grew out OF a speech made by
! Mr.. Clarke in the course OF his campaign work:
things about Lieut. Gov Woodruff that were
| anything but complimentary A few nights
later Mr. Woodrnli said publicly: M c.....,.
siontr Of Records biz was misrepresentaton
of facts from beginning to end" =,
ruff to adebate on the bill laying down the fol-
Iowi1G as basis Of discussion: That Messrs
sage Of a bill. providing for the expenditure OF
$5QO.0Oo for work that could be done for
political bureau for political adherents that
work which could be done in eighteen months
iitiSal purposes that tho bill deprived the city
Of the services OF three men. who had the con-
hdencs OF citizens and the bar. and that the bill
MIR. woodruh ,prompty accented the chal-
lsngs and the debate was set down for last
"i the crowded stage arm in arm. Mr.. Clarke
In evening dress and looking very serious.
usual affahle smile. Gen George W. Wingate
took the chair and after laying down the rules
OF the DEBATE agreed upon. invited Mr. IiafRe
to fire away.
Mr. Clarke said:
T., My remarks tonight will be along the
than aS "I Gas to- R Ths
s0SS oppenent dsr have pain story SN Of
legislative wrong and political abuse of power
the Republican party. but will confine myself
to discussion Of the legislative measure II
| question and criticism OF those who aided
| and abOttol its passage.
III want YOU iirst to 60 back a. few years In
1Ta BIZ i'm known as the Records go Com
he Mayor H coant,y Clerk. kseister r'o and
Surrogate the, selection Of three commits
RasGuin and Rider. lawyers Of high attain,
m RnnE Their duties we're to lock into the
partially obliteratsd or wsre on the verge Of
carry on system q re; ndexlnG. which had
been in vogue for some q me. These men did
Sonm.s
endes. litigation in years to come.
In i Il after these men had their Office
Teal followers from them. Their" was no room
Place. were then fed With compe f III men en-
Who were the only kis a. Of any use in the Of,
he went to Mr. II der and said; ; il yon do not
/ have been charged with MEASUREMENT. but
there is no miss:atemsnt about this, ior. when
81 Of Es above s@ MF Rider
circumstances? The tension was too strong a
Lieut. Gov. Woodruff. and he had Dady. After.
bury and al the Legislature at his back. In
to abolish the office, For some reason it was
never presented, presume il was because there
yn at the time to whom tho power to appoint
SUCCESSORS to those who were to be thrown out
1870; the bill under discussion was presented
at Albany. There was no trouble then. Tor the
kspdec9 ans had 9jTtict tornsE to Eh9
County Judge. too. but Judge AspInaI abso.
lptely refused TO touch the matter He and
:" The bill abolished the old commission, and
nsy to appoint single com missioner. and the
ment; it is drawn to avoid civil service md
iSr the tb ,scoMpshWWe ndrS 81 Work IN rye
stated % BE- e done e0f Ia two mas con DSISi
A the sna paay bill
a work that can be done for $l5O.OOO. and that
the bill was PASSED to establish bureau for
the employment OF men OF the Woodruff. After
bury and Dady faction. The bill was passed
and now the machinery is moving, Mr.: Waldo
, were turned out. insuIted for the good work
tn0y nave uOut
=. With spirited contest On between two fac
tons Of the Republican party. what was the
course OF events now? Here was one office
IN which the commissioner could pack
out scholastic attanments. nb!e or un-
able TO- read or write, -Four months
packed away 10 men in his office. Just before
| the primary election fifteen more men were
: put on the pay rolls as indexers. clerks cony.
, Its. abstractera and custodians. Ten days attel
/. | the primary election they wore all dropped
Would you like to know how that was doneY
THE abuses OF this Office have been stu.
, pendous and there is no limit to what the com,
, missioner can do II he wants to; Look at thai
expenditure in September and ! think YOU
e Will agree with me when | say the office has
4 | been used for political purposes. What dc
= | you think OF the general opposition OF Judge,
/ to the bill? The Lieutenant Governor viii
tell you that Democrats voted tor the bill. How
( he accom- shed that do not know. but he's
/ | plausible. winning man, which probably ac
p. | counts for it, Before | sit down | wan
, to say that opposed rs | am to this bill, il /,
a | not 80 much the bill as the abuses it has beer
/ used to foster that | want to point out Il
p | you.
I Mr.. Woodruff started In for his hour Of 10
= bate with a rush. announcing that lie woulC
Laid