A Pertinent Series of Queries.
To the Editor of the Alligator:
New York, August 24, 1858.
Sir.—There are a few things which I, with many others of my acquaintances, wish to know, relative to the assistant matron of Randall’s Island, who figured so conspicuously in the press and in our Court of Sessions for the last month past. Before putting the questions, I would just say—as the subject of the note is a lady—if this were the first piece of scandal the citizens of New York had any knowledge of in connection with our city appointments, I, for one, would have been the first to have had this savory morsel consigned to the “tomb of all the Capulets.” Unfortunately it is not so. It is a well known fact that those who are fortunate enough to receive the patronage of the corporation of New York, and of all the lesser organizations in any way connected with our city, must, at least possess one negative qualification—they must be thoroughly destitute of honesty. Add to this a great talent for plundering the public treasury, drinking any quantity of rum, talking profanely, and well skilled in fistiana, drinking swill milk and eating swill-fed beef, and, in a word, in bamboozling everybody. It would appear, from disclosures lately made in certain quarters, the qualifications of the female portion of the appointees is in no way higher than the male portion.
The first question is—Did the Ten Governors, or any of them, know that this woman cohabited, as alleged in the Alligator and not disputed on the trial, with the individual represented as her friend? If so, this is a sad spectacle to be exhibited before our wives and daughters.
In the second place, why did Mayor, then Governor, Tiemann, if he did not know, prevent this particular friend from visiting the Island, while he permitted all the lady’s other friends to visit her?
In the third place, how came this lady to be in want of small sums of money at different times, and how came she to make her wants known to Governor Tiemann? And, far more wonderful still, that he should supply them repeatedly without the former advance being liquidated? This seems to me passing strange when we come to reflect on the fact that this woman receives for her services on the Island $800 per year; no small sum for an assistant matron.
In the fourth place, if all or any of the above be true—and it may be true for any thing I know—(the trial of Branch did not at all touch these questions)—why is the lady not removed from the Island, for she is totally unfitted for the responsible situation she now fills? If the charges be false, why does the lady not take immediate steps to clear herself from this heinous scandal? The public have a right to demand that she either clear her character or that she be removed from the Island.
A WORKING MAN.
☞ The Sunday Mercury reads us a homily, and attempts to whitewash the conduct of the Warden of the Penitentiary. John Smith, Jr., of Arkansas, is a great man in his own estimation, and it is a pity that the appreciation extends no further.
☞ The Tribune attempts to advise the Tammany Committee with regard to their political action. This is extremely civil as well as kind, and in return for this the Sachems will probably vote the Republican ticket. There is nothing more useful than perseverance, if we except putty.