New-York tribune., 1911-11-05
BOROUGH GOSSIP
Political Speculation Now Run
ming Rife in Brooklyn.

Political speculation is running rife In
the borough at present in something like
tae way IL did in the days of Patrick II.
McCarren, when the Democratic organiza-
ton was split wide open by Internal dis
seEsion. One would scarcely think that
There could bc room for speculation in a
county normally 5000 Democratic-poss slbl,'
moro. As Ihs late Senator used to tell his
followers, when ,hey appeared cocksurs
OF success. Brooklyn can never be dcpende
upon 10 40 tho way the figures indicate 1t
should The reason he gave was that thou
sanGs OF voters, even many who are en-
rolled as Democrats and Republicans, are
really thorOughgoins independents, and
can be depended upon TO split thsir tickets
from end 20 end What the independents
can do was shown when Major Steers ran
for Borough President
the Democrats had unanimously decided
20 agree once more. the dove of peace nut
tered over the community. and on Election
Day Mr.. Steers was elected 10 an Office
that carries with 1t large amount of pat
ronaEe. lie had cast aside his party be
cause his party had treated him In just
such q fashion as Il has often treated
others whose loyalty 1t had come 10 ques-
non. He had accepted nomiuation from
the Republicans and Independence Leag-
uers. which would have a tendency 90 JUS
tify the Democratic leaders In turning him
down, and he was opposed Iy John H.
McCoocy, whose Democratic principles
were unquestioned and who was personally
popular with the rank end file OF his party
IT was scarcely probable that the Repub-
leans and their temporary comrades-in
arms could have elected the Borough Presi-
dent. Their combined forces. according 20
the enrolment figures, could not have come
within thousands Of votes OF accomplishing.
the object Mr.. Steers owed his election
directly to the great body of Independents
who admired him because he was inde-
PENDENT and abovoboard Il his dealings
with the public II the Republican ticket
wins this fall. the Independent voters viii
be largely responsible Tor the result. There
are two mon or the Democratic ticket
who must expect 10 BE- cut by the rank and
nc. they are William Willett. the ju-
dietary candidate and John +. Clarke, the
candidate for District Attorney.
it Is a safe guess that the Democrats
among tho twenty-five thousand Union
Bank depositors will go against Mr.. Clarke,
because OF his attitude toward the othclaIs
whom ;hey accuse Of robOing them OF thcr
deposits
Yes. we'll win" said a Republican poll
uCian the other day, that is II our people
don't make up their minds IN advance that
they will be victorious and forget 10 80 10
the polls
Joseph Evans. who has driven the prison
van in this county for thirtv-eight years,
retired last Wednesday on half pay. His
Was one OF the first four applications
handed In under the new law. lie is sew
enty-three years old. Last spring he was
playing with his dog at his home, No. 25S
tained n fracture OF the skull, but has APP
parcntly recovered Four years ago he
lad an accident which would have resulted
iu the death OF most men or siNty-nlne. 4
car colhded with his van Just after he had
delivered thirteen prisoners at the Adams
street police court, and he was knocked
30 the street, a few days OF rest sufticed
10 put him on his feet again. In the years
cr his service. ne drove many famous
crooks through the streets Of the county
ard had many curious and unpleasant eN-
pericnces.
Battery r. 1st Battalion, Field Artillery. |
state OF New York. heretofore known as
the Cd Battery. is at last to have its armory !
in CIer;nont avenue. near Myrtle avenue. !
TemOdelled For the purpose $ltQSO mas
been appropriated Two stories are 10 add !.
od 60 tho building and there Will be other
improvements. IT is expected that the WORK /
will be completed I'm four months.