New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-06-16
THE PROGRESS OF ANARCHY.
MAYOR WOOD SEXES THE STREET
DEPARTMENT.
The Sheriff Fights for the Mayor.
A BATTALION OF POLICEMEN on HAND.
THE STREET COMMISSIONER ASSAULTED.
HARD WORDS AND THREATS.
THE STREET COMMISSIONER ASSAULTED.
He is fOrcibIy turned into the Street.

Yesterday morning at the usual hour for opening
public offices, Daniel ID. Conover, esq, who has been
appointed to the Office Of Street Commissioner by
Governor King, to fill the vacancy caused by the
death of Mr.. Taylor appeared ct the office to take
charge. Mr.. Turner, the Deputy under the late Com
missioner refused to recognize his authority, although
he was appointed under law which provides for such
vacancies.
In the meantime, one Thomas McGnn, at the in
stance of the Mayor obtained execution for judge
ment of al 81, claimed to be due him from the city,
and caused the Sheriff to levy upon the furniture and
other property in the Street Commissioners Office, to
satisfy the same.
This brought the Deputy Sheriff with the officer,
and Mr. Hugh Masterson, of the Mayors day and
night political watch, was the Sheriff appointed to
take charge of the Office property.
posse of men from corner of the Hall, formerly
known as the Chiefs Office sent over, aud
assumed to keep possession of the office during the
entire day.
For fear the above-namNd execution would be salts
fed by some individual dependent of the Mayors
signature to check on the ty Chamberlain, several
other claimants upon the city were hunted up, and
during the day executions to the amount of over 81 lOo
were put in the hands of the same watcbmen
During the day there was of course no business done
the Office, and Mr. Turner the late Deputy occupied
another. while the inner or private Office Of the late
Street Commissioner was closed, and guarded by men
claiming TO be Municipal watchmen.
Mr.. Conover sat with his usual dignity during the
day. and received visits from numerous friends and
prominent citizens while the late Deputy Street Com
missioner received visits from the Mayor agents, and
a number of clerks and contractors, who allowed the
Mevcr IN oct the better Of their reason.
No efitrt during the office hours was made to put
Mr. Conover out of the office, although there was
every indication Of row by some to that purpose
The Aldermen with the exception of Messrs. Tucker,
Blunt Grifiths Owen Drake and COrwin, were In
caucus with Mayor Wood III the City Library IRON Il
m TO Sis D. H. in relation to :he Street Commission
er's Department. The Aldermen, as we learn, had
preference for John Chambers, the Deputy Clerk
of the Board but the Mayor wanted q man ideniihed
more with politics, and insisted upon Mr.. Devln, the
leading contractor of the Street Department
Mr. Devln has now probably some so, 700 worth OF
contracts with the City, and it would DO greatly 10
his advantage to be made Street Commissioner. Ito
Mayor agents had been around and il vas confdert-
ly believed that Mr.. Dev.m was all right
The Aldermen. howey 81, wanted the selection of che
different bureaus unde- the Street Commissioner tor
friends but the Mayor would not consent to give his
subordinates such privilege and hnany they, as
f;hful subjects Of their august master, submitted to
LIS dication, and resolved to meet Wth his views.
Meantime there was difficulty Il the office of the
department, and several hundred of the Mayors po-
tcal watch lately selected from he lowest runhoes
in the city, were n reserve at tbs City Hal to resist
the laws and insist upon the Street Commissioner
being turned out Of his Office.
At 4 o'clock, the hour at which the City Govern
meat scts are generally closed, there were upward
Of if; policemen detailed at tue Street Commissioner
Office, backed by many political ro~dies' MI
Tnu er ordered all persons out OF the office, except
me Sheriffs and Mayors watchmen Most OF the
el rks obeyed the order, as also did many OF the
| Spectators.
Mr.. Maserson, late a policeman, gave the same
| order and the order repeated by E1-Leutenan'
Bennett Of the Third Ward, who said bis instructions
were peremptory.
Some lrle time elapsed, and two or three of the
clerks were observed to remain stationed near Mr.
Conover.
| Deputy-Sherf Crombie ordered Mr.. Conover Il
leave the Office andthe order was repeated by MesSEs
Masterson and Bennett Of the Mayors watch but n
refused TO leave, stating in cool and gentIemani.
manner that he had been appointed to this position b.
the Governor ard as he had not finished his bushes
for the day. be would remain, unless eJeV'eu Y! O
An answer was made that he would be elected, an
Mr. Conover notified all present that he would holt
any man responsible for damages who would attemP
such an outrage. He was left alone for while, an
the remaining clerks were ordered out, and reiuse'
to 60.
| Mr. Masterson turned to Mr.. Pollock, one of Ia
| clerks, anG ordered him out. Mr. T. refused to 90
stating tina, lie was directed by Mr.. ConoYeT Stree
Commissioner to remain, and waruei them of the co.
sequences Of turning him out. They however eJe1ae
| him.
Two other clerks were also put out. Capt. SPeigt
Of tire Metropolitan Police Was present, with Mr. Coz
over and bspperngt 10 he near Tie doo! be va. take