New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-08-06
The Chief Of Police.


We 90 not Iccolcct ANYTHING III the history OF
Legislation IN this state, personally offensive AMI
UNJUST % public officer, As the recent action OF our
Legislature IN reg nd to Mayor king>land No pal
udiion be offered for II IN The past course of the
Mayor or IN ms private or public character In the
faithful discharge Of his duties as Cmet Magistrate,
and recognising the obligations Of his oath Of office,
ho glayely and wisely determined that II was not
cNpeClent 10 remove from office the present very
efficient Chief of Pohce-agalnSi whom there are 40
charges of delinquency, AMI whose removal Is asked
for by those who desire his place upon The sole
ground OF ms having been a IOcO-FOco IN times
past. The wisdom o. THIS determination OF the Mayor
has been universally conceded 10y all who look to the
best interests of CITY, and deny that import
ant position as that OF Chef OF Police should be
made dependent upon mere party considerations.
10 20 happens, however, that those " 10 seek the
Office, induced Il member from one OF The upper
wards, bv the name ot Dewey. 10 engraft on a bill
then pending IN The Legislature, prov sion which
virtually charges the Mayor with disregard Of mS
oath of Office and neglect OF his duty Strange As
Il may appear IN the hurry OF the closing scenes OF
The Legislature. tins bill. with its insulting rider
passed into law and the Mayor IS now called up-
on TO register ms own disgrace by removing Mr.
Matscn, Those Who called down upon the MaVOr
ihiS wholly unmertcd ana insulting Legislative re-
huko. are chucklng over then triumph. as they con
,ijer H. and The pros'rallon Of the Mayor
We do not know what the friends of
Mr. Matsel expect to gain by discussing
this matter in such 4 strain as the above,
but we do not think they viii find 1t profitable
IN the long run.
The term of office of the Chief of Po-
lice had long since expired 1t was the duty
OF the MayOr to nominate successor; but
until such Il nomination WAS made AID acted
on. Mr.. Matsell held over. To say that the
Mavor determined not to remove hun IS ab-
Surd he was already removed by the llmI-
tation of the law, ard was merely discharg
ing the duty OF the place till his successor
should be ready to begin. In such case,
what richt had the Mayor to say that Mat
sell should continue In Office al his own
pleasure. indefinitely Whenwas the Mayor
endowed with power to appoint Chief OF
Police without the advice and consent OF
the Common Council lie had TO such
night he had never been endowed with
such authority. He was In duty bound 10
make a nomination either of Malsell or some
other person, according to his judgment.
What should We say OF a Governor or Il
President who attempted to keep 4 tavorlte
in office long after the expiration OF his legal
term, without once referring the matter to
the appropriate legislative body charged by
law with the final decision in the ease
1t IS of no consequence to the argument
whether MatSell he or be not lit Tor tue
place Though he were paragon of OIL
cial virtue, he should not hold his Office IL
legally OF by any ciandestine dodge, nor
would he desire II. The fact that he has
not sought a reappointment in the regular
way. bat has preferred 10 elude The law
and continue to ENJOY his emolulneuls o,
conniyance instead OF by Legitimate nom!
nation, shows that he does not posses, taC
manly integrity which should distinguish
the head OF the Police department II tai
metropolis.
Where then is the Insult "a the Masor d
which SO much is said in the above extract
T1cre Is none The Mayor uad wil.luli,