New-York tribune., 1911-10-26
FRUITS OF MURPHY|SM
Continued from nrst page.

Continued from arst page.
appointment of Republicans He didn't
answer the point made by the Republi-
cans that these changes were made at
the end Of the terms Of the respective
job holders.
one Of these bills was introduced by
Senator Cronln. 1t put out Of office the
Republican chief clerk OF the County
Court Of Kings County and provided for
tn, appointment of his successor by the
County Clerk. It fixed the term of office
AT five years and the salary at $1,000.
The appointing power when the bill was
passed lay i'm the county Judges, where II
naturally belonged. These happened 10
he Republicans. The County Clerk OF
course, is a Democrat.
This bin affected Charles :. Devoy'
Just before it was to take effect Dewey
resigned as chief clerk. and was I'M
me1ately appointed assistant clerk by
the county judges at the salary he had
been receiving as chief clerk. The DEM
ocrats couldn't see their plans set al
naught and a good Job for them going 10
waste IN that fashion. Senator Crohlh
introduced and forced through both
houses = supplemental bill applying 10
the assistant clerk the same condluons
as his first bill put into effect applying
70 the chief clerk Thus they got two
Jobs instead Of the one they started tor'
This second bill had TO be jammed
through the Senate under a special RUE
limiting debate-the last resort OF the
Tammany machine.
Leoislsted Out of Existence
Another in the series OF Brooklyn rip
ner bills was introduced by Assembly
man Donnelly. This bill legislated out
of Office the Republican Commissioner OF
Records Of Kings County. Prior to that
time the county judges had the appoint
ing of that official The Donnelly bill
changed the appointing power TO the
County Register, at present Democrat
thus assuring the appointment OF
Democrat to this place.
Senator Harden and Assemblyman
Fay fathered another Of the rippers.
This one turned over the place and Of
fee Of tho Commissioner of Jurors OF
Kings County TO the hungry Democrats.
Ii leglslated the commissioner then hold
ing the place out OF office. He had been
appointed by the county judges and
Surrogate. Tho Democrats. TO grab the
place. provided that his successor was
TO he appointed by a board made up or
the Surrogate. District Attorney, Sheriff.
Register and County Clerk-all Demo
Gratis.
Still another ripper bill was introduced
by Senator Senner and Assemblyman
Goldstcin. This measure legslated out
OF office the Public Administrator OF
Kings County, and provided that his
successor be appointed by the Surrogate,
a Democrat. instead OF by the Surrogate
and the county judges, as was the law.
Later the bill was amended so that it
became law in form permitting the
present administrator TO serve out MS
term. which ends this fall. Where the
Democrats had nothing to lose they
we're willing to preserve semblance OF
dccency in this habit Of shifting and
rearrangins the appointing power over
Kings County offices.
In connection with this general subject
Of patronage grabbing. bill by Senator
Sanner. which became law, deserves
notice. 1t provided that the surrogates
of Kings County fix the salary of their
chief clerk. They fixed it at SaWD
which was $1,000 a year more than had
becn paid heretofore. and appointed John
II. McCooey. who is the titular Demo-
cratic leader Of Kings County. Lawyers
say that it is almost impossible for any
human being not lawyer properly to
perform the duties of chief clerk of the
Surrogatos' Court Mr. McCooey Is not
Il lawyer.
The chief clerk however. can exercise
great influence in the selection OF guar
diaus the bonding Of administrators and
soc that much patronage is distributed
n do the most good politically, and Mr.
NrcCooev is fully competent in that d.
rection The Surrogate who appointed
him has recently been rewarded by the
organization which Mr.. McCooey heaus
with nomination for justice of the Su-
| ..-,-,, Court