New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-10-10

When Mr. Croker first rctorted on the Mazet
Committee with the demand that il call Mr..
Platt the committee had an entirely proper tx
cuse for failure % comply; and The Tribune
promptly justified II in taking that course. They
were Investigating the city government OF New
York which Mr. Croker acknowledged was un-
der his control and while Mr.. Platt might or
might not be al bad II had not been shown that
his operations were within The scope Of the in
curry When IT should he so shown, Mr. Moss
said he would call him without fail. and press
to the bitter end any point developed concerning
him II must be evident TO everybody now that
that time has come.
Mr.. Croker and his associates have been put
on the stand 10 explain many suspicious con-
tracts and apparent use Of political influence
and official power for private gain. Many In
teresting facts have been discovered which have
presented the disgraceful character Of our city
government in most convincing light. Put some
way or other the investigation has brought
some Of the most important transactions Of the
city administration Just in sight of exposure
and gone no further II so IN Ramapo.
General Tracy Mr. butcher and Mr.. Lautcr-
bach were found to he the hackers OF the
scheme. the Tammany side Of which appears 50
corrupt to the committee. The other day the
subject Of telephone ConduitS was preached and
Tammany's favoritiSm was brought into clear
relief Mr. Shca's apparent anxiety 10 locate
The Blackwclrs Island Bridge 50 that an eX-
listing but almost expired franchise will have
20 be purchased has been shown. In neither
cose did the committee succeed IN getting fur
1her They did not learn that for years the
enemies of lower telephone rates have been Mr.
Plat and his Legislature; that the telephone
nonopolv in whose behalf Tammany discrim
,nates Is Ike the RamapO company. in close
violations 10 Mr. LautcrDaCh; that among the
pr,ncinal henefclaries Of Mr.. Sheas purchase
Of the BlackwellS Island Bridge franchise
would be friends and political associates Of Mr.
Platt.
The committee have gone just far enough r
indicate Mr. Platt's share IN tie govcrnner
Of the city and make him Legitimate witness
We have seen that Mr.. Croker. as the leader
of the party in control Of the city, makes con
tracts and grants franchises for Ia" hrneht o.
his friends But many Of those favorS coul'
never have been granted by him If Mr. Platt
as the leader Of the party in control OF th'
State. had not given special charters and specia
franchises 10 the companies which dealt VIII
Mr.. Croker and many of these companies have
teen owned In common by Mr.. Platts an(
Mr.. Cookers friends The plan, rs the commit
Tee have 20 far revealed H. seems 10 be for spec
ulators from both camps to combine The Plnt
men get the grants necessary from the Legs
lature and the Croker men have the pull Il
make arrangements with the city government
Such transaction cannot be separated an'
part Of Il said TO relate TO city and part to Sta
affairs. II it is proper 10 examine Mr. Croke
concerning his share in the business. IL j
uroper 70 examine Mr.. Platt
Time after time. in the progress OF THIS IN