The times., 1899-04-10
GENERAL WASHINGTON
m NEWS AND GOSSIP.

New lOrls P0Iitics.-There is believed
to be more behind the appointment of the
Mazet committee to investigate Tammanys
management CT the Greater New York
municipality since Robert A. Van Wyck
became mayor than appears upon the
surface. According to the inside gossip in
political circles, a very pretty and inter-
esting political game is being played i'll
Gotham, and one that is likely to have
r,n important bearing on the Presidential
contest year hence.
There is decidedly an ulterior motive to
the Mazet committee Investigation said
New York statesman yesterday. The
purpose is not so much to punish indi-
vidual members of Tammany Hall and re-
form the city of New York as it is to ere
ate Presidential boom for Theodore
Roosevelt. Probably all the facts that will
be developed or brought out by the Mazet
committee have been common property in
New York for some time. The Republican
leaders might have started the investiga
tion several months ago II they had been
SO inclined. but 1t did not suit their pur-
poses to do So The first objective point
of the Mazet committee is to furnish pre-
text or excuse for amending New York's
charter and reducing the term of the may
or to two years. Under the charter which
was adopted when the Greater New York
came into existence the term of the may
or was changed from three to four years.
Mayor Van Wyck therefore will still have
more than two years TO serve, provided he
is not interfered with by the Legislature.
However. the Legislature has the power to
amend the charter and reduce Van Wyck's
term to two years. If this is done 1t will
necessitate a mayoralty election in New
York next autumn. II the Republicans can
oust Tammany from New York City next
fa!l 1t will naturally be of great help to
them In the Presidential struggle year
hence Incidentally IL will be a strong
card Tor Roosevelt to be apIe TO claim the
credit for smashing Tammany With Tam
many's scalp dangling in his belt Theodore
Roosevelt may become a very dangerous
rival to William Mckinley in the Repub-
lican National Convention next year
Senator Plntt is taking a malicious de-
light in probing into the Tammany man
agement. He has an old score to settle
with Mr. Croker. one of very long stand
ing. but 1t has not grown any less in the
interval of years. Mr. Croker. when Hugh
Grant was mayor of ?:cw York back in
the eighties. entered into compact with
Mr. Platt, 1t is understood which he failed
to carry out and rumor has il that Mr..
Platt has never forgotten the incident Mr.
Croker is up against pretty tough situa-
ton. Between Roosevelt's ambition to
anxiety to pay off an old score, he will be
lucky. indeed. if he escapes without
scratch"
Retirement of Pay Director Parks.
Pay Director Rufus Parks of the Navy
reached the age for compulsory retirement
yesterday. An interesting question has
been raised whether he will retire with the
relative rank and pay of a captain or rear
admiral. a clause in the Navy Personnel
bill, which became law at the last ses-
sion OF Congress. states in substance that
every officer OF the Navy who saw service
in the. Civil War and has an honorable
record shall. upon reaching the age of
retirement be retired at the next higher
grade than the one that he occupies The
Navy Department has requested the At
torney General to make a ruling on the
subject 1t is said to be the opinion of
Secretary Long and other officials of the
Navy department that only line officers
are entitled to retire at the advanced
grader that in any case Pay Director Parks
cannot come under this provision. as he
now holds the highest rank known in the
Pay Corps The pay officer who is desig-
mated by the President every four years to
act assChief. of the Bureau of Supplies and
Accounts is known as "Paymaster Gen
eTdi anu mas the relative rank ana pay
of a rear admiral. but at the expiration Of
his term he resumes his previous rank.
Il am satisfied" said naval officer last
night, that the Attorney General will de-
eide that Pay Director Parks is entitled
under the law TO retire with the relative
rank of rear admiral The law makes
no distinction between line and staff Off
GERS. 1t plainly says that all officers, ETC.
and it is an outrage that the ring in the
Navy Department should undertake to dis
criminate against staff officers. This is
matter in which every staff officer has
the deepest interest II will make differ
ence of about 81, 500 a year TO Pay Director
Parks whether he is retired with the rela-
tive rank OF captain or rear admiral"
james >E. Cnmpbell.-Former Gov.
James Z. Campbell is looming up as
a prospective candidate for Democratic
nomination for Governor of Ohio this year.
The State convention will probably meet
some time in June or July. 1t is pointed
out that Mr.. Campbell is likely to become
formidable candidate. and If he should
be nominated and elected Governor of Ohio
this year, he would, in the judgment of
his friends, become dangerous rival to
Mr. Bryan for the Democratic Presidential
nomination next year Mr.. Campbell has
strong personal following and he made
an excellent record in the Governors chair
before.
'If Campbell will permit his friends to
go to work, said an Ohio man yesterday,
'.he will come very near capturing the gu
bernatorial nomination, and If he is NOM
mated will be willing to bet that he will
be elected Look out for him"
John Aliens FiSht.-The friends of
Representative John Allen of Mississippi
are watching his canvass for the senator
ship in his State with the greatest interest.
According to all accounts. Mr.. Allen stands
very good show 10 win. The contest,
however, promises to be exceedingly lively,
as Aliens principal opponent, Governor
McLaurin, is making a vigorous fight for
the place, and he has the advantage of the
patronage of the State administration on
his side. Patronage, however it is pointed
out is not always benefit to the man dis
pensing it. 1t is understood that Allen is
having the indirect support of Senator
fernando DeSoto Money.
Il hope that Mr.. Allen will win the SEN
atorial toga," said resident of Mississippi
yesterday. He would shake up the dry
bones in the Senate and instill a little life
into that body-something that 1t is very
much in need of Aliens election will be
victory for the younger element in Mis-
sissippi politics. The old fellows have had
control of the party there ever since the
Civil War and 1t is about time that they
gave way to the younger generation. The
impression obtains in Mississippi too that
the McLanrin family has had about all