New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-06
AIR. COOGAN HAS ARRIVED.

AK. COOGAN mas AMI
In the light Of that great principle OF moral
philosophy. that one good turn deserves another.
the observing citizen will recognize both logic
and gratitude In the elevation Of James j. Coo
gan to the presidency Of the Borough OF Man
haitian In succession TO the lamented Augustus
W. Peters deceased Mr.. Coogan was by no
means unknown to fame prior TO the summer
of 1891 though It has to be admitted that FOR
several years he had seemed to be going
rather than coming man. But that was the
date OF the inspiration which recrcated his ce-
lebrity and has made him what he is today
Being q student Of Shakespeare, Mr.. CooSan
had ascertained that there is tide In the anairs
OF men, and taking his at the food without
moments hesitation, he sailed for England
where Mr.. Richard Croker was then recruiting
his health upon the turf, and offered that retir-
Ing statesman tho nomination for first Mayor OF
the consolidated city Of New-York The spon-
taneous and unanimous character OF the pro-
posal deeply touched Mr.. Croker. and he is SAID
to have gazed long and earnestly Mt Mr.. Coogan
in order that he might recognize him when next
they met. They met next In New-iork, when
Mr. Coogan renewed bis whole-hearted oHer;
but Mr.. Croker's health had not been SUN
GENTLY repaired to warrant his running lor an
elective office, and he consequently turned the
nomination over to Robert A. Van Wyck. MT
Coogan himself having already exhausted the
novelty Of q Mayoralty campaign.
Yesterday Mr.. Coogans confidence IN snake
speare was confirmed. The Democratic mem
bcrs of the Municipal Assembly representing the
Borough Of Manhattan had assembled for the
nurpose of electng n president and so firm was
their resolve not to choose anybody who would
not be instantly recognized as the Ideal man Tor
the place that they did not even attempt TO con-
ceal the fact that they had no candidate or their
own. but were waiting for direct revelation.
At the last moment yet in ample time, the re'e-
lation came and Mr.. Coogan was conduc'ed
with fervent devotion to the seat MADE vacant
by the unexpected translation OF Mr.. Peters.
All. what n thing Is faith And what disgrace
would scepticism be to any member OF Tam
many Hall, The occurrences of yesterday we're
in nowise exceptional The history Of the or
oonizotion is full of such examples Recall the
time when a District-Attorney was to be noini-
mated and though the convention had actuaiiE
assembled, not the faintest indicaton OF III
overriding purpose had been vouchsafed. lhen'
If ever men might have been pardOned for fail-
ing into doubt. and 1t Is said that some OF. the
delegates did reveal symptoms OF uneaslness.
That great and good man Mayor Gilroy. for In
stance. was repeatedly observed to be convers-
ing in low tones with reporters and telegraph
messengers. and was even suspected OF having
passed himself into an adjacent theatre with
the intention Of asking Mr. Tony Pastor If he
had happened TO overhear anything. But all
this solictudc was needless. AT the proper mo-
mont the revelation came. and Colonel John X
Fellows. of happy memory and simple Christian
life was jubantly nominated.
But TO return 10 our Coogans The new Pres
ident Of tho Borough Of Manhattan Is unmistak-
ably stamped with the authentic image and SUI
prescription. That would he enough for us III
any case. but a particular satisfaction in his pre-
Torment is impaired by the memory of his gal
liant sacrifice upon the altar of duty ten years
ago. to which we have already alluded On that
OCCASION as the candidate Of the Labor party
for Mayor. he unfortunately ran rather more
than a hundred thousand votes behind the Hon.
Hugh J. Grant but il has never been forgotten
that his campaign gave an impetus TO business
almost without parallel in the history OF poll
tics. besides enormously enhancing the visible
supply Of innocent amusement. That was
double service which has waited too long for
substantial recognition. But 1t is nevertheless
privilege 10 rejoice in this signal though belated
proof Of the eternal fitness Of things.