New-York tribune., 1906-01-21
HONOR TO MIR. CIRCUIT.
He Tells Of Injustice to Public Men
at M0ntauk Dinner.

Ex-Controler Edward N. Grout declared last
night at dinner given in his honor by the Mon
tauk Club, in Brooklyn. of which he IS vice-pres-
dent. that he out of Office and of political
power, and that he intended to remain out. He
silenced the stories that he planning to be-
come the Democratic leader Of Brooklyn, and as
serted that he had further political ambition.
tt was family dinner ex-Lieutenant Gov
ern Woodruff the president Of the club and the
Republican leader of Kings County who acted as
POSTMASTER. called it His political enemies both
in the Republican ranks and in the Democratic
party, were there to do him honor his retire
ment from public office. Among them were James
Shevlin and Thomas F. Farrell, Of the old Will
loughby Street guard. whom Controller Grout did
everything in his power to rob of their political
power when he was in the Controllers office The
speakers i'll addition to Woodruff and Grout vers
Justice Gaynor, Luke D. Stapeton ex-Borough
President j. Edward swanstrom and Borough
President Coler Some two hundred members Of
the club and their friends were present.
Mr. Grout spoke a confidential vein evidently
much moved by the warmth of the greeting ac-
corded him He spoke of what he said was the
general tendency to crticise unjusty man in pub
lie life, and referred to Chauncey NJ Depew and
David 3. Hill examples of men he thought had
been unjusty criticised He declared that he would
never again go through such trying experience as
when he was reviled for taking the Tammany NOM
ination for Mayor. two years ago. for all the pub
lie Offices in the world. He continued:
shall not forget so long AS 7 live the situation
in which | found myself two years ago--the Bit
terness Of it. the disappointment, the inability to
know who my friends were and who were my en-
emies. The experience. when at the outset found
every paper using terms of the utmost respect and
then turning on met was an experience [ would
not go through again for any office. Two years ago
I went home feeling time and time agaLin as if I
should like to throw myself down on the bed and
cry like boy But 7 didn't cry: I fought. and 1
had the satisfaction after the election of the largest
vote that was poied.
Justice Gaynor said that 1t an honor indeed
when a dinner was given to man as he laid down
public office Ii is honor seldom deserved, and.
therefore seldom bestowed" he added. Il said at
dinner when Mr.. Grout went into Office that what
needed who honest to the point
OF fanaticism. L knew from his record that he was
absolutely honest. He says he IS now going out of
Office and laying down his power. l beg to remind
him that the most powerful men in any community
are not those in office. but in private life.
When legislature III the hands of
chairmen of committees that paid by the various
interests throughout the country. when We see the
chairman OF the insurance committee in our own
surance interests other chairmen getting money
from other interests. do take off my hat when a
public servant without regard to party-miserable
often treat men in public life with injustice. but
more often with as much Justice they deserve
because they don't deserve much.'
Mr. StapletOn said that for reason he was
glad that Mr. Grout was no longer Controller,
because since the first of January his clients had
had d much easier time in their dealings with
the city a place reserved at the guests table
for Controller Metz, but he did not appear.