New-York tribune., 1902-04-23
RL4CKHAIL AND CORRUPTION.

The Merchants Association, always berom-
ingly jealous in its efforts to serve the legiti-
mate interests of its members has now entered
upon the task of relieving them from the I'M
necessary burden of paying for the right to use
the sidewalks under certain restrictions in
transacting their business. The charge is that
Officials of the Bureau of Incumbrances are
systematically levying blackmail by means OF
1.-The ordinance forbidding obstruction of the
Sidewalks" and the assertion is frankly made
that the President of the Borough of Manhattan
has been put in possession of evidence sub
s:antiating that charge. The association fur
ther says that the matter has been discussed
with the Mayor, and that 'he Is in earnest in his
purpose 10 destroy the system of extortion."
There would have been no need of this latter
assurance, even IL Mr.. Low had not explicitly
put himself on record. but in fact he has taken
particular care TO show that he is well Informed
as to the abuse complained of and appreciates
its detestable character He said during the
campaign last fall that he had been merchant
himself knew what such blackmailing meant
and was resolved 10 stop IL. Still more i'm
pressire was his first message to the Board Of
Aldermen early in January, which related
wholly 10 that one topic, and Of which the fol
lowing is part:
No one, from the largest corporation TO the
poorest bootback. need pay one dime for protec-
ton from harm or to secure just treatment at
the hands of the city government. Any
asked to make an improper payment for any
purpose has only TO report the fact to the Mayor
to be sure of protection and redress. Persons
having business relations with the city who
with unreasonable delay in any depart
ment asked to report 20 the Mayor without
hesitation. BY Itself and without the aid of the
people and Of the city employees the admins
tration can do little more than make this offer
With the cooperation of the city and OF the city
employees the whole foul system can be broken up.
IL 'the system that calls for the ilIegitimate
payment of money at every turn" as the Mayor
described II, remains in operation, the fact Is
not surprising. for ii had been firmly established
ny Tammany Hail. and large proportion Of
the men who possessed official power to keep it
going still fin the public employ. But it is
not creditable 10 the merchants of New-YOrk
that they should have remained either SO
ignorant of their rights or so afraid to assert
them as TO make the interference of the Mer-
chants Association necessary. However. 1t Is
to be hoped, now that they have the support
of an alert and enterprising organization TO en-
bolden them, that they Will put up united and
vigorous fight against extortion. They must
acknowledge when they stop to reflect upon the
matter that they are themselves much at fault
1t is had citizenship to say the least, to submit
venience in consequence of standing ones
rights. There is an element OF meanness. more
over in consenting 10 be wronged after that
fashion, for it makes the position Of those who
will not consent doubly difficult
But there is another side to this case and we
are somewhat afraid II is the worst side. 1t is
plainly suggested by the very circumstance that
merchants and persons having business with the
city have been slow 10 take advantage of the
Mayors offer 20 redress their injuries If they
would go straight 10 him with their complaints.
To what extent is their docility under oppres-
sion due to the knowledge that they are enjoy
ing, with without paying fer them, privileges
10 which they have no legal claim? That is n
serious and interesting question. and. if we are
not mistaken. truthful answer with details
would cause considerable discomfort Black
mail as a condition precedent to the enjoyment
OF eovenanted rights ought by all means to be
stopped: but II is quite important 10 stop the
sort of corruption which procures Illicit fayors-
That has long been a part Of "the foul system"
which needs to be broken up, and We hone the
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