The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-12-09


 left along the roadside. Ex-Mayor James J. Walker, once so power full and popular that his fall was thought impossible, playing golf in Europe, politically dead. He was Seabury's prize bag. But there were numerous others-some who resigned from office as Walker did. some who were removed as was Sheriff Thomas M. Farley, others whoh simply evaded the issue by disappearing, still others who evad- ed by suicide.
 Probably it was the most aston ishing graft hunt on record. It lifted Seabury from the obscurity of IS years retirement from pub lie life, to national character who was even seriously considered in some quarters for the democratic presidential nomination.
 It seriously crippled what has been regarded as invincible poiiti- cal machine and laid what anti Tammany leaders hope will be the groundwork of its dissolution. It developed such stirring real life dramas as the mysterious murder of Vivian Gordon and the shame suicide" of her young daughter, Benita Bischof.
 legislative committee inquiry Of which he was counsel characteristic cally. Comptroller Charles w. Berry was on the stand. Amid the screamed protests of the Tammany committee members Seabury forced Berry to admit that at least a part of the city's financial program was approved by Tammany boss, John F. Curry.
 Tammany didn't take Seabury too seriously until it was impos- sible to halt him. He was called out of retirement to investigate the city's magistrate courts. F1ve magistrates resigned. Three were removed from office.
 This investigation came to its height when Vivian Gordon, tune femme ecarlate" was found strangled after she had offered to give evidence concerning police conniyance to vice. Her 16-year- old daughter, living in New Jersey away from her notorious mother. wrought up by shame as her motn- er's name and past was revealed 10 her by the headlines day after day, killed herself.
 This aroused wavering republican legislators who voted to create the Hofstadter city-wide investigating committee with Seabury as coun- sel. For weary months, Seaburys 5 Investigators poured over records of all sorts, contenting themselves with small fry. Soon it was evi- dent that no less parsonage than Walker was target. His personal financial agent, Russell T. Sner- wood. disappeared and is still miss ing. This did not save Walker who resigned while under fire.
 Tammany fought desperate put losing battle. Witnesses refused to testify but were forced to under threat of contempt action. James A. McQuade, a former register, Tn iustifying half million dollar panK account on a small public salary told of "the 34 starving McQuades. he supported. McQuade was more fortunate than Sheriff Farley wh9 kept his accounts in Q tin pox and who suffered removal py 1o" Roosevelt. ,, Ter. of the department Of docks, nurleu HlIHccAh uhooa train while bound for a seapury hearing. Supreme Court Justice Josenh Force Crater disappeared at the height of the investigation in- to office buying by judges. He IS still missing.
 Dozens of lesser lights fell. Some saw the inside of a jail. Others left in possession of their jobs and liberty, were personally and poll tically discredited.
 Indirectly the Seabury investiga- ton is beieived responsible for the
 write in'' vote of 232,0OO for May or Joseph V. Mckee in the last | election which is likely to cement the anti-Tammany sentiment in a united effort to wreck the organiza- ton at the next city election.
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