The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1913-09-11
MAYOR GAYNOR DIES
ON ATLANTIC LINER
NEAR IRISH COAST


worrysome controversies involving
clashes with various city departments,
we're the reorganization of New
York's gigantic police force, the sup
preston of gambling rooms and disor-
derby houses, the police department
graft exposures and the "curfeW re-
strictions," to prevent all night liquor
drinking by closing tenderloin cafes
between midnight and sunrise.
Gaynor's Obituary.
William J. Gaynor, jurist and pol1tl-
clan, was born the son of a poor far
mer near Whitestown, N. Y, in 1851.
He received his early education at the
public schools Of Whitestown and la
ter at the Whitestown seminary and in
Boston and was originally destined to
enter the priesthood of the Roman
Catholic church.
In his young manhood Mr.. Gaynor
taught school in Boston, and after
ward studied law in Utica, n. Y, re-
moving to Brooklyn in 1873 to contln-
ue his studies. Meanwhile he made
scant living by working for newspa-
..
1875, and went to live in Flatbush,
then separate community in the con-
troll of corrupt politicians. Straightway
Gaynor began to study his surround
ings and developed his fighting quail
ties as a reformer. He found that Flat
bush had forty saloons, but only one
liquor license. He obtained evidence
against the saloons, had their prOprie-
tors arrested and compelled them to
take out licenses.
Elect Gaynor.
Although opposed by both political
machines, a reform ticket was elected
and Gaynor was appointed police COM
missioner.
In 1885 Mr.. Gaynor moved to Brook
lyn and soon found himself arrayed
against the late Hugh Mclaughlin, the
Democratic boss. When the town of
New Lots was annexed to Brooklyn in
1889, the boss and his friends, with
their peculiar foresight, purchased,
through dummies, the Long Island Wa
ter Company in the new addition for
$185, 900. Their purpose was to sell 1T
to the city and they had contracted
with the mayor to dispose of it for
$1,5OO,O0O Gaynor denounced the deal
as a swindle, and declared he would
stop it. He had taxpayers suit start
ed to prevent the contamination of the
deal, and eventually won in the high
est court in the State, saving the city
of Brooklyn nearly one million dol
lars and beating the ring out of the
same amount.
Next, Mr.. Gaynor started out to
make the elevated roads of Brooklyn
pay their taxes. The Brooklyn political
ring stood in" with the traction COM
panies, and had refused to allow the
property to be sold for the Delinquent
cy. Gaynor compelled the traction
companies to pay about $1,000,000 into
the city treasury, much to the aston
1shment of McLaughlin's men. Mr..
Gaynor fought the ring in various 9th
er ways, it's overthrow being complete
when. in 1898, Gaynor, declining a cit
liens nomination for mayor. took a
nomination from the Republicans and
Independent Democrats for justice of
the Supreme Court. At the same time
the fusion city ticket, headed by
Charles A. Schieren, won a sweeping
victory.
Overthrows Gang.
Coincident with the overthrow of
Mclaughlin was the humiliation of
Chief of Police John Y. McMane,
Democratic ruler of Coney Island,
whose padded list of voters was used
to swing elections with impunity.
The next year David B. Hill wanted
Gaynor to take the Democratic nomi-
nation for governor, but he declined
and also refused to accept a nomina-
ton for Judge of the Court of Appeals.
In 1895 Gaynor refused the nomination
for Mayor of Brooklyn, because it did
not come from a united Democracy. In
the following year he strongly sup
ported Bryan and the radical Demo
cratic national platform. He was a can
didate against Mcclellan for the may
orality nomination in 1908, but was
defeated by the Tammany influence
In 1906 he was a leading candidate for
the Democratic gubernatorial nomina-
ton, but was defeated and supported
Hearst. At the election in 1909 he was
elected Mayor on the Tammany ticket
but contrary to expectations he main
tanned an Independent position and
aroused considerable enmity among
gang politicians by his energetic re,
form measures. On Aug. 9, 1910, while
about to sail on a vacation trip to Eu
rope. Mayor Gayror was shot and Sc
riously wounded by James G. Gal
lagher, discharged city employee.
BRYAN is SHOCKED.
WASHINGTON, Sept. lit am
shocked to learn of Mayor Gaynor's
DEATH" said Secretary of State Bryan