Year: 1872

The Brooklyn Ring-Aro tho People


To BE Cheated Out OF Reforms


The good people Of the city of the Rev.
Henry Ward Beecher's and other churches
made vigorous attempt at the last election to
secure for themselves o solid and substantial
municipal reform. They entered into the
contest against corruption regardless of former
political associations and did their best to
break that powerful piece Of municipal
mechanism known as the city ''ring." A
Committee of Reform was established
tunately for the Brooklynites it was composed
of only fifty members-meetings were held,
virtuous speeches were made, virtuous resolu-
tons adopted and nothing was neglected that
could aid in securing the triumph Of virtue at
the polls Such energy could not go unre-
warded especially as the fifty did not seek offices
for themselves, and the consequence was that in
most instances the reform candidates were
elected. The tainted gentry.-the men with
diamond cartwheels in their shirt bosoms
and ruby tint in their bloated
faces-made a desperate struggle over
the Board of Aldermen, for in
that power experience told them, was to be
found the most promising source of profit.
But the reformers succeeded in obtaining
majority of two, we believe, in the Board,
counting republicans and reform or inde-
pendent democrats; and ''our army in
Flanders" never swore more roundly than did
the army congregated about the saloons in the
vicinity Of the Brooklyn City Hall when this
result was ascertained.


There has recently been revival among the
members Of the old string," however, for it
has been whispered about that certain Alder
men, elected under the banner of reform, were
prepared to sell out to the gang, and to restore
to them their power to plumber the city at
their will Bargains have been reported to
have been made looking to the distribution of
the several appointments and to new ring
or three reformers have displayed sort of
reluctance to act with their associates, dis
position to cavil and obstruct, which is
entirely inconsistent with their profess
sions before election; and this has
given color to the rumor. Of course,
IAcy ulS uAWAAAhS w uSSAoio OViuiy VAciA AL
tention to take part with the corruptionists
who were overthrown by the people last
November; but they hang back from their
honest associates, and lnger to listen to
the words Of their dishonest tempters. The
reformer who hesitates is lost, and the natural
conclusion is that these vacillating Brooklyn
reformers are making up their minds to lose
their virtue


The people will keep their eyes upon these
men, and will hold them responsible for the
defeat Of reform If, directly or indirectly, they
aid in retaining in power a single member of
the old Brooklyn ''ring" They cannot be-
tray their trust and escape condemnation. If
they are honest they will act with the reform
neutrality-suspicious., independent demo-
Gratis and all. The war against corruption is
one independent Of party. On that issue the
battle was fought and the victory won at the
polls. If the fruits Of that victory are to be
sacrificed, and If the citadel, after being car
ried, is to be treacherously surrendered back
to the enemy, the people will mark the
traitors in their camp, and hold them to q
strict reckoning in the future.