The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-12-31
TWEED'S SUCCESSOR.
The Commission of Public Works
In His New Office.
An Interview with Mr.. Van Nort-What Re is
Going To Do Abtut It-Economy and Work
To Be the Controlling Powers Under
the Present Direction-A Sensible
Letter to the Heads Of Bureaus
The Depar,m men, Of Public Works.

The Depa ri ment Of Public Works.
Amy one who had visited the Department OF Pub
lie Works under rhe Tweed regime would be as
tonisned at the wonderful change the place has
dergone. A HERALD reporter called there yester-
day about one O'Clock, having learned that Mr.. Van
Mort the new Commissioner OF Public Works had
come down at noon
TO TAKE FORMAL POSSESSION
OF the department II was stated in the HERALD
Yesterday that the outer office was stripped or all
Its costly ornaments, satuesqucs, &c. To-day tins
room was thrown open 10 the visitors FOR
Inc first time since Tweed trst made IL
ana Tammany tacrcs laid out. The messengers
were seated around the fire, and MI. Van Mort re-
talns only the apartment which Tweed made the
.sanctum sanctorun," the inside OF which none but
the favored lew saw,
The reporter sent his name aad at once received
an mvitauon to enter. Mr. Van Mort was seated at
ms desk, with large pile OF papers before him,
through winch he seemed TO be wading. Having
shaken hands and offered his congratulations The
reporter was invited TO take seat, when the new
Commissioner added -
ii suppose you have come over to see me IN con-
nection with the business OF the departmentW
Eyes, Mr.. Van Nort l nave. l am one OF the
grievances that you have goo TO bear up against in
your new caDacny.n
Mr.. Van Mort smiled and added, al shall be happy
to tell you what mean TO no. Of course l have
not yet mad time 10 go into any particulars, but /
WIN give you generally Inc course which intend to
lake."
"Wel sir, first, Mr.. Tweed met me here yester-
day evening, and formally delivered over into my
hands the Office, books, papers, &c. and introduced
me 70 the gentlemen VINO are at the head OF the
different departments. came here to-day at noon
and had an interview with the chief Engineer or
the Croton Water Department and the heads OF the
other departments. l informed them all that L
would require OF them by certain day, which
different works winch the departments are at pres
emf engaged IN. OF the number OF men az present
employed In each, their compensation. &C."
with the OBJECT, ! suppose, Of using the pruning
ayes. With regard to the works which are now
gong on, those which can be advantaRe0usly con-
tlnued, or OF course, winch are absolutely neces-
sary, shall be continued. Those which can De ad-
vantageously arrested or delayed snail be stopped,
considering the present municipal difilculties.o
.,And with regard 10 the pay rolls ]"
"ln that matter shall endeavor TO follow ont, as
far as possible, Mr. Green IN the arduous task OF re-
form which he has undertaken. 1t will be thank
less work. suppose; out shall adopt that course,
ii suppose It's hardly rar to ask you whether you
think you Will nave TO use the guilotlne to any ex-
tentr'
"Of course have had no opportunity yet Of
making even cursory examination oil the afTalrs
OF the department; but may say that where reform
Is needed 1t shall be initlated.n
II suppose you have not seen Mr.. Tweed since ne
"No, have not. The heads or the various de-
partments VIII be able to give me all the niorma-
II believe that is all wished to ask yon Mr..
Van Mort. Accept my congratulations again. Good
at;ood day. Glad to see you any time.n
As the reporter left the building he could not help
thinking that the diamond Dedecked bulldogs VINO
lounged In the ''Star Chambern In days of yore
would have nothing IN sympathy with the tail, dig
nined individual, dressed In black with studied
absence OF ornament VINO now holds sway in the
Department OF Public Works.
Communication from Commissioner Van Mort.
Mr.. George NJ. Van Mort, the Commissioner or the
Department Of Public WORKS. has issued the follow
ing circular to the heads OF the VARIOUS bureaus in
the department.
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC works.
NO. ~ BROADWAY,
- = NEW YORK. Dec. 30, 1B71\
w, at once report to this department the
saton oil each also the names OF such whose services
be dispensed with without mpaing efficiency the de-
parment list OF ali contracts with the
the contractor the nature OF the supplies
A. which such contracts expire the OF
other Information appertaning heeto statements show
ing the condition OF the accounts In your Bureau the
work now In progress. what II any such work
can % advantageously prosecuted or whether II
be suspended without detrimen to the public interest,"
Cc'her with such general Information regarding the
and operations Of the Bureau be considered
desirable that the heads of Will chceriuy aid this
department In Its purpose of cooperating with the other city
departments, and especially with the Department Finance
IN reducing the expenditures OF the city
lowest possible limit consistent with the proper discharge
GEORGE NJ. VAN MORT,
Commissioner Of Public W0rkA