New-York tribune., 1903-04-19

Director OF Public Works one OF the few nsr
who have permitted their 10 decorate public
parks during their lifetime.
An Italian who had control Of considerable
number OF votes promised good place Hs
offered cIerkship at s1oo month but turned
up his and said things He was too valuable
man to throw TO the other party. 50 the Recorder
sent him to Director BigeOw-
What have YOU done with Frank some one
asked Mr. BigeIow after few days
Il sent him OGt Park-ave. wav 70 look over the
ground and see if it suited him" replied the d.
rector
And if that don't sBit7-'
oh. then III give him the whole department.
and perhaps he will be satisfied
During the last few davs useful hit of political
machinery--'the sliding board~-has been brought
into use There is deadlock over the appointments
of the City Clerk and bis assistant twin Jobs pay
ing So 400 year. While the Common Council IS
largely Citizen the Select Council is tied The city
clerks are nominated bv the Recorder and passed
by the councils in JOINT session ANY action
taken has be ratified by both bodies IN separate
session. All efforts bring about Joint session
so far have proved futile. and the Recorder was
forced 10 take the oath of office before notary
public in his office because the head Of the
Select Council refused call Joint session with
out assurances that the clerkship natter would not
be brought up.
The working o. the sliding board Is shown hy
the cases of three Of Pittsburs-s best known do
tcctives One Of them IS power IN the Italian
quarter. another has great influence with colored
voters They were removed with the rest of the
force and then asked continue their work until
further notice. If they can win over the council
men from their respective spheres of influence TO
/ a proper vote on the CITY clerkship matter they
will reinstated. In other words. they are on the
sliding board''-neiJher in nor out
The unsettled condition OF local rOiiticS has rot
| proved good thing for the city. and IS begin
| ming to affect it's credit. Though the city was
| never in better financial condition. and its bonds
/ are probably good they ever were u Is a
/ fact that they are selling below par Four per
cent bonds which were worth los year asO have
/ brought but 90 in recent sales The sales have
been made mostly by outsiders. for those In con-
troll OF Pfttsburg finances are buying when oppor-
| tunity offers.
| The city is facing another bond issue 70 cover
] several heavy items OF city expense which were
! kept out Of the regular tax schedule in an effort
TO decrease the tax rate. There are several debts
| to be met such the Boulevard. Union Station
/ and reservoir. and there are some neaVy 1uus-
/ ments hanging the city
/ The political game in Pittsburg seems TO have
| been particularly hard on the rich -ner who
| were leaders Three members Of the old ring
! have died at short intervals. and the excitement
! Of hard campaigns is said % have been Iargely
| responsible The first 70 go was Chris" Maeee.
| the best known politician Pittsburg has ever pro-
| duced His friends say that the passage OF the
! Ripper bill broke his heart He left an estate
estimated 10 be worth S10J0Gc07. His right hand
! man George NJ Won Foonhurst Recorder OF
/ Deeds. was the second. He died a few days after
his successor had been sworn in. and left fortune
/ of $4,000 The third the late Recorder
/ Joseph O. Brown. whose fortune is estimated at
! $500 go.
/ William Flynn last Of the 'ringsters" and the
/ man who cracked the whip in the palmy Mages
| davs is suffering in Europe from broken health
! He saws that he is OF politics for good E.sr-
/ me tes Of his wealth range from eight 70 1iteeI
l millions Of dollars His friends say teat one deal
/ in steel a few years ago netted him 100000 and
| a more recent one in Wheeling Gas ofouShL nun
/ than million
| The new Citizens party. which has put the old
| ring out Of business after SO many years or un-
broken control. has three victories To- it's credit
/ within wear. The first / February, le-.
| when the Citizens elected a COutrCller majority
| OF the Common Council and majority Of those
elected to the Select Council The second victory
and a sweeping Cne. was in NOveTnIer. Wleu me
party carried Allegheny County elecunE Is entire
HAYS by a sweeping majority The next hSIL
/ will be in November. when there are a number
/ OF county officers 10 be elected