New-York tribune., 1900-12-23

The Governor-How could they if IT was
sealed?
Mr. Gardiner-They opened it.
The Governor--That is the night before cleo
tion?
Mr.. Gardiner-Yes.
The Governor-Do you mean to say they never
submitted that telegram to you?
Mr. Gardiper-No.
The Governor-And you retain them in your
Office?
Mr. Gardiner-If you glance at the nature Of
it and refresh your recollection of it
The Governor-My attention had been called to
the official order from the Chief Of the Police
Department of New York. and in view Of this
, called your attention to the fact so you would
see your duty clearly and there would be no fail
ure on your part to do your full duty in the
matter. I do not understand how such tele
gram could be received and not be called to your
attention
Mr. Gardiner-They could not find me.
GOVERNOR ROoSEVELTs REBUKE.
Colonel Bartlett--If it was not delivered to him
how is Mr.. Gardiner to be blamed for that?
mean if his employees didn't deliver it. Now, of
course, that wasn't right
The Governor replied
Of course. it isn't right; it is gross negligence
by them, but that doesn't eXonerate him I have
noticed in some of the battles in South Africa
that some subordinate is the one at fault, but
do not believe those in command claim that ex-
onerates them I don't think it does It is the
I same way here. This telegram was received at
his office saying l should hold him to the strict
observance of his duty. and the next day these
statements were in all the papers, which as they
appear, calculated to convey not only the
apdi3 nnToveG Of 6nvnry order hut fbat
you disapproved of the action of the Grand oay
statements which were, might go so far o,Eo
say. ncitement to disorder and fraud at the polls
at New-York City, and yet nothing was done "
Mr.. Reilly or any Of your subordnates 20 CAL
your attention to these statements You paid no
heed to- thenn. didn't take the trouble to look in
the papers to find if any such statements had
been made; you never acknowledged to me that
You had received the telegram; you never took
steps such as the Mayor and the Sheriff both
took, such as showed their intent not to aid or
in any way connive at disorder or violence in
connection with the exercise of the electoral
franchise, upon which the very foundation of
our government rests.
Colonel Bartlett-Suppose it was an error or
mistake on the part of the District Attorney,
and that he should have acquainted himself with
what in the newspapers and have denied
such reports, is a failure to do ground
for removal? The Governor replied
Let me answer you. Colonel. When I issued
/ these orders 1 did not issue them with the idea
| that in case they paid heed to them I should
dsapprove OF their official acts only issued
them 10 three officials whom 1 had power
! in case they failed to do their duty honest
| public servants al the last election 1 would
=
! had the power both to counsel and to punish.
| I cannot imagine a graver crime against the
! body polite. You remember that at the end of
! the campaign that has closed appeal after ap-
! peal made by certain persons high in power
for instance, the gentleman whom you have
alluded to as the leader of the Democracy in
York-by Mr.. Croker which appeals
deliberate Indictment to riot. Mr. Croker said
once and again that the Democratic voters
should gather around the polls, and if they were
not pleased with the actions of the legally con-
stituted authorities in the way they handled
/ hn nln N na6 70 Ira oft ffnrc
into their own han1s- 1t was an appeal to mob
violence.
I took no action upon anything said by Mr.
Croker or any man not in official authority. I
could not. But when what these men said was
followed by Chief Devery's order. things in New
York City began to look critical and felt the
time had come when halt should be called 1
do not believe a more astounding order than
that Of Chief Devery's was ever issued by
police officer in this any other country. I felt
If such an appeal as that issued by any
man and / was in position corresponding to
the District Attorney that if I did not take in
slant action to show ] would not tolerate any
such conduct as that melted by the order I should
hold myself more than grossly derelict. No
such action. however. was publicly taken by the
officials concerned in New-York until I wrote
that letter The Mayor then very promptly Sc
cured the withdrawal of the order. The Sheriff
took every means to show that he in entire
sy sympathy with me.
The only officer who took no step OF any kind
sort Of that nature the District Attorney
and that in spite Of the facts that have writ
ten in that letter-a letter which he never ac-
knowledged-in spite of the fact that it now ap-
pears that il was opened in his office and com
municated to Chief Devery, although they have
the very next day interviews in the papers
which, I have said are an encoura cement to
every disorderly element in New-York. Now IL
Colonel Gardiner knew nothing of that telegram
the time. and If he did not give those inter-
views 1 absolutely unable 10 understand
how he could rest until he had explained this
matter, and not step has he taken until to-
day 1t comes up before me.
SAVED BY GOVERNORS ACTION.
Colonel Bartlett-There is no doubt about one
thing-that the only thing that was done that
saved the situation in New-Yor was your ac-
tion. You must remember Colonel Gardiner had
not received your telegram when il is said he
had those interviews What is there in those in
terviews to convict him of the charge of disorder
and seditious SANDER?
The Governor-The testimony was he said
Devery had right TO issue the order
Colonel Bartlett-Wei that is Mr. Ensigns
version. l think it would be pretty severe 10
convict Colonel Gardiner upon Mr. Ensign's
testimony alone, without other testimony
don't think there is any other testimony on that
point. don't think there is enough 20 Justify
eonVlctlon think the very fact that Your Ex-
ceIishcy mas sueh exalted powers in this case
practically unlimited power
Ihe 6overnor-It ought 10 be and is the great
est check upon my using It,
aa, MT sartlett-That is what meant to say I