New-York tribune., 1900-12-26
TANMANY REFORM LIMITS.

The Tammany Committee of Five has been
fearful from the outset that it would not be
taken seriously by the people of New-York, and
has therefore exercised great pains at frequent
intervals TO convince the public that 1t was In
earnest. The most striking demonstration Of
this anxious desire TO be well thought of which
II has thus far made occurred on Monday,
when the chairman Of the committee, sup
ported by his colleagues, publicly declared that
the Chief of Police could close every gambling
house and pOoroom in the city in a few hours
and that the committee would no longer supply
evidence TO the police but take it directly 10
the Grand Jury. That announcement sounds
more like business than any of the commit
tees previous Outgivings, and the community
will now watch closely TO see whether or not
the virtual promise which il contains is to be
kept
We think we can safely assure Mr. Nixon
that there is no prevalent hope outside of Tam
many Hall that his promise will be broken.
The Chamber of Commerce committee and the
multitude Of earnest citizens who are gathering
TO 5ts support are quite willing TO have the
Committee Of Five begin the work of police
reform, and viii desire TO estimate it at its
true value as it goes on. But we may as we'll
tell Mr.. Nixon frankly that his ncompromis-
ing language on the particular subject of po-
lice responsibility for certain notorious viola
tions of the law does not cover the whole
ground or a large part of it. Indeed while
listening 10 his brave words about taking his
evidence, and perhaps officers Of the force as
well, before the Grand Jury, the public cannot
fail 10 observe his anxiety TO draw the line at
a convenient point One of his motives IS he
says. 10 show that disorderly places "are not
protected by the Tammany organization, and
he adds that every department except the Do
lice. lis doing good work" Just there Mr..
Nixon discloses his limitations. Police protec-
ton Of vice and crime for revenue only is not
the sum and substance Of Tammany misryle
II is simply the most conspicuous example
Mr.. Nixon does not hesitate TO acknowledge
that Richard Croker is Tammany by saying
that Croker instructed the Committee of Five
to go ahead in earnest with its work. and thai
those orders have never been withdrawn. But
be must know just what Croker conceives q
well managed Tammany government to be, in
asmuch as the chief has declared on the wit
ness stand that within the field Of municipal
administration he is working for his owl
pocket all the time, that judges are under obi
cations which they must redeem TO the meI
who raised them TO the bench. and that ther,
is every reason why public operations of al
sorts should pay tribute TO those who are in {
position to exact il.
When, furthermore, Mr.. Nixon risking al
enumeration, says that his discoveries have LEI
him 10 believe that there are "just about fftesl
"unscrupulous men who are IN the organiza
"ton and the party simply for what none,
"they can make out Of IL" he evinces either
lack Of knowledge or a Lack OF eandor whicl
makes his estimate Of the situation confront
ing the citizens Of New-York pretty nearl,