New-York tribune., 1902-08-18
VR. SCANNELL'S TRIALS.

Mr. ScanneIl. that good man suffering under
unjust suspicion while he clamors wildly for a
chance to vindcate himself. will not find his
reputation improved by the evidence taken in
the trial of Patrick F. Ryan, the suspended
chief of the Bureau of Construction and Re
pairs of the Fire Department. It was of course,
q sad accident over which the former Fire Com
missioner will be greatly distressed. that led to
the mutilation of the pages of the harness shop
account books recording the work done there
for Mr. Scannell. He is known to be devoted
to horses and carriages, and there Is possl-
blity that suspicious public may ask If some
of that work was not done for the equipment
of those private equipages which Mr.. Scanneil
delights in. and with those pages missing from
the books he will not find it so easy as he
might wish to meet the unjust aspersion.
Inasmuch as one of the witnesses before Com
missioner Sturgis testified that work in the re-
nair of vehicles was done for both Mr.. Scannell
and Fire Chief Croker which could not possibly
have been required by them as officials, the
need of disarming criticism about harness is
apparent Twelve vehicles. the record shows.
were repaired for Mr.. Scannell at city expense
including a red runabout. a blue runabouf.
landau top buggy, a victoria, hansom,
barouche. a top surrey and light slelgn. ana
as only the three latter can be found among
the department properties the inference may De
that the others were from Mr. Scannells pri-
vate stables, especially some Of these vehl-
cles bore the monogram -. j. s." That good
man. however. will doubtless be able to show
that proper conduct of the department required
the official use of all these vehicles. The rec
runabout would do for ordinary fires but the
other was needed for emergencies when things
were burning blue blazes.' The city artifcers
IA
have heard of 'iredogs' before now, but never
knew them to wear muzzles and collars, and it
would be interesting to have it explained why
those used on the department hearths need such
establishment Altogether. it looks as II Mr.
Scannell's purchases through his friend Marks
were not the only ones TO which he should give
attention unless, indeed. these newly discov-
cred transactions likewise involved Marks
Did Marks get a rake off, Oh the inferior ash
and other lumber purchased above the market
price for the wheelwright? Or did he get
percentage of the overtime wages of laborers
charged for repairing q vehicle hours after the
record shows it to have been already repaired
and on duty at its proper station?
These latest revelations of Fire Department
methods under Tammany should recall TO Dis
triet Attorney Jerome the fact that he has an
indictment pending against John J. Scannell.
WhllS MT. Scdn1eI mas DeeH UeSBluS uost
nestly for a chance to vindicate himself his
able counsel. one pretext or another, In spite
of his tears and protests. have been able to
keep him from facing jury on charges that
have been pending for year. This is unjust to
Mr. Scannell. and the District Attorney should
give him his vindication just as soon as our
Supreme Court justices get back to town and
have recovered from the strain Of their summer
vacations. Mr.. Scannell, 1t is true. Is out on
bail, the charge against him this time not being
a capital one but cases involving the integrity
of public officer are entitled TO some prefer
ence. If he is guilty the fact should be deter
mined before the public loses sight Of the whole
transaction and ceases TO care whether some
former administration was corrupt or not The
value of prompt punishment is greater for pub
lie than private crimes. If. on the other hand
Mr. Scannell is innocent he should be relieved
of discreditable and worrying suspicious. He
has been known TO 20 suddenly insane under
stress of feeling and. though worry over the
attacks upon his honor may not now drive him
TO kill anybody, yet If is likely to have an in
furious effect on his constitution.