New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-04-14
BOARD or TEN GOVERNOPS.

The Board of Ten Governors held special meeting
at noon Yesterday, Mr.. GUSTHER in the chair, and
Messrs. Smith, Tiemann Dugro, Oliver, Anderson,
Pinckney, Taylor and Mooney present
Mr.. PINCKSEY stated that he was one # those who
signed the call for this meeting. He had been asked
TO sign petition to the Legislature 10 make this
Board close corporation, by empowering tho MEM
bers to nominate successors a. the close of their terms
Of office such nominations TO be ratified by the Com
mon Council He had refused Ia sign this document,
although the names of several members OF the Board
appended to IT..
Mr.. MOLoSEY asked the members II they had
signed such a document.
Mr.. TIENaNN said he signed il.
Mr. Tow SsEND refused 10 answer.
Mr. PINCKNEY offered these resolutions:
Uheyeos petition signed by Of the pre@ent and
members Board has been about BE- presented %
the Hon the Legislature Of this SKATE Prynf for an an'nd
the Act organizing aud creating this Department and
providing in 'ub-tnce hnt All yraner' hereafter occurring
or and confined by the Board of Aldermen :" and
heroas Such amendments would BE- directly antagonist -
lated reduce this board 70 partn organization thus sao
vens its best Interest,". designed 10 continue IA Por, aai
position the few, and thus deprive the public from eligibility
thereto; creating clos" eofpoTa,ioh c moOeT. d Seh
would BE- anepabr 10 power or constituency mus D"'hi
contrary the rne spirit of republican government ta'r
R,o|d Ths, thi. Board d,couuenaucc the effort, Of few
Of members procure such amendment TO the set Great
and hereby declare such legislation to b" unnecessary
uric aud liberi and ,o"mny protest at'in' any .rtSn
upon any petition having for it, obrs al amendment % the
present method Of eetng III" Governor. of ia" Aims Hu
Reorcd That the Clerk Of this Board b" dr~ct dto telegraph
Immediately the substance OF the above resolution 20 the ~
IN" Chairman Of the Select Co,amtt~c Nine d1Tins tn
have copies OF the preamble and resolutions made sHd
Ib 1 TO all the 'Hd the several delegates '''
Mr. rIrMASN said that the resolutions did not express
all of the facts. When he signed II, hc understood
that the movement originated with the merchants
only.
Sir. OLIVER said he signed It believing that II was
desirable to this institution from politics AZ far
as possible. Had such been the law, be would Dot
have been sent there
Mr. ANpyRsOS-Thats 80.
Nr. OLIVER wanted to see Randals Island at least
free from political influence. He should vote against
the resolutions
The President thought that, a. the petition had
been withdrawn no action necessary
Dir. PIScKNEY-Ths affair, although osten'bly
private movement, received seinl-oi,ia character,
from the fnct that the confidential clerk of the Board
while under pay OF the Board ard in time belonging
10 the Board was sent to Albany on Saturday with
THE petition, and authorized TO push ii through.
Dir. MoLOSEY sorry 10 see the older members
OF this Board engaged in so dlarcputable scheme.
He believed that the true way was for members, on
the expiration of their tenn OF office 10 submit Their
claims tn the people for reelection, and not seek 70
iasten themselves upon the public. He wished Ia
know by what authority the confidential clerk Of the
Board was sent TO Albany 10 present this petition
The President sad that he was not sent by the
Board, but had some private business OF his own.
Mr.. MoLoNEY-Then stamp this whole proceeding
Infamous and subyerSSe OF the rights Of the peo
pie. II is ant-democratc and wholly corrupt.
Mr. SMITH was opposed 10 this movement He was
elected by the people, and when his term expired did
not fear to submit his claims to them again. This
scheme was got up by members and ex- members OF
this Board, and he believed il anti-democra.ie and
washed his hands of the whole affair At the
time il not before the Legislature, be though,
Mr.. Pinckneys resolutions inexpedent, aud offered
substitute.
Mr.. ASDrRsoS said that had the gentlemen orig.
naHy named been introduced in the BILL h. would
have favored the change. It was all worry well q,
talk about the voice ot the people, but in reality they
had but little voice in public affairs. BrOadwsy
House and Tammany Hall and American Has
though the last has caved in dictated the candidates
for office, and the people al the baot-box only did al
they were bid.
Mr. MoLoSEY wanted to know where the petition
was.
The President said it did no, matter where il was;
il was not before the Legislature, and outside
movement altogether.
Messrs. TIHAASS and TOWNSEND said that they IN
dersood the movement 10 be outside OF this Board
and wholly unofficial. and "a such took part in il.
Mr.. MoLoSEY said that the on the petition
were only those oprescnt and exGovcrnors, aud was
Therefore regarded by the Legislature an official
proceeding.
Mr.. PIscxsEY said that the members who signed
IT had employed the confidential Clerk OF the Board
TO take il to Albany and lobby it through, and this
gave it official weight and authority
The President said that the tirst name on the Pc
ttion was that of Robert j. Dillon, and other eminent
public men supported him.
Mr.. TAYLOR said Mr.. Dillon's name was not on the
petition when he WIS asked 10 sign it, although tho
names Of some Of the present Governors were attached
10 IL
II was moved TO lay the substitute on the table
which was lOst-fve TO five.
Mr. MoLosEY demanded to know where the petition
was, that it might be read. II it was in Albany il
was IN dangerous place; ii here, it ought to be
read.
Mr.. GrYTHER assured the gentleman that the petit
ton had been entirely withdrawn as inexpedient
Mr.. PrscxsEr-Whst guarantee OF that have wei
The PRrsIDTST-My word Sir
The amendment was then declared lost by tie
vVte,