The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1910-08-11

William J. Gaynor has been in the
public eye for years. He first became
known nationally in 1893, when, as a
candidate for Justice of the supreme
court, he broke up the political rings
within the Democratic party of Brook
lyn, and secured the conviction OF
John Y. Kane, Democratic boss OF
Coney Island, for election frauds. More
latterly, before his election as mayor,
he again came into prominence IN
1903 by his fight to suppress the IN
discriminate use of the "rogues' GAL
lery" by the New York police, one spe-
ciic instance about which the contro-
versy centcred resulting in the re-
moval of General II. A. Bingham, po-
lice commissioner, by Mayor McClel-
Ian.
Years before all this, Gaynor had
been lighting political rings, and
throughout his political career he has
been a severe critic of public evils as
he saw them. lie was one of the first
critics of railroad rate favoritism;
excess of police authority was his es-
pecial bane, and he frequently spoke
and wrote on the subject Of the laws
delay and defects in court procedure.
Opponents objected that Gaynor's de-
exceeded his constructive
ideas. He was on the bench from 1893
until his election as mayor in 1903.
Although elected mayor as the Tam
many candidate, Gaynor ignored Tam
many utterly in making his appoint
nniliIn
ton, he said that he would be mayor
in fact. Since election he has cor
rected many abuses.
He Was 30 Years Old.
Gaynor was born at Whitestown,
n. Y, i'm 1851. the son of farmer. He
was educated at Whitestown seminary
and i'm Boston, and in 1873 went to
Brooklyn. where he worked on news
papers while studying law. He was
admitted to the bar I'm 1875. In youth
he intended, it has been said to enter
the Roman Catholic priesthood, and
went so far as to begin his studies. IL
mas been urged against him that he
abiurod that faith and attacked it on
the lecture platform. The mystery as
to his religion was revived at the Den
when he was brought forward as a
candidate for nomination for vice
president with Bryan.
Soon after beginning the practice OF
law in Flatbush. i'm 1875, Gaynor, by
collecting evidence, compelled 40 sa-
loon keepers to take out legal licenses
headed a reform movement, elected a
complete ticket, was appointed town
police commissioner and continued his
fight by closing illegal road houses.
Outwits Democratic Boss.
Four years after going to Brooklyn
Gaynor, in 1889, filed and finally won Q
suit to preevnt the sale of n water
plant to the city by Hugh McLaugh'
lin, Democratic boss, and others, fol
$1,5OO,OOO n deal which Gaynor hat
denounced as a swindle. Then com
mission appraised the plant at $50,
600, saving the city nearly a million
dollars. By another taxpayers sui
Gaynor compelled the elevated road
of Brooklyn to pay S1,000,000 in bacl
taxes In 1893 Gaynor exposed tn,
overcharges of the Mclaughlin cit!
rade, showing that more brass band
than could be hired In New York ant
Brooklyn had been charged for, ant
that the bill for one street stand con
tained charges for more lumber than
had been used in all the reviewing
stands. Gaynor induced the governo
TO exercise his veto after the bill hat
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