New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-07-15
THE ALDERMANIC DEADLOCK
MUNICIPAL wRANGLING UNABATED.

MUNICIPAL WRANGIING UNDATED
THE ALDERMANIC COMBINATION AGAINST THE MAYOR
FoRCED TO EXPLAIN THEIR REFUSAL TO CON
FIKM THE POLICE JUSTICES.
A larger crowd than usual in the chamber
of the Board o. Aldermen and the presence OF huhoer
Of wenknown politicians gave indications that the gro
oeediDgs Board would be OF special interest III
was confidently asserted by q the spectators that
the leaders OF the combination" would be compelled
20 explain their reasons for refusing to allow the
nominations for Police Justices TO be taken from
The table and be either confirmed rejected.
Tho subsequent action Of the Board proved that
these surses were correct In response TO appeal
from Alderman OttendOrfer to the majority to give the
reasons for their action, Alderman Van sohaick and
Kehr gave at length the that actuated them,
and 10 taken for granted by the audience that these
The sentiments Of the remaining members OF the
combination" Aldermen Koch, Reilly, McCaferty,
Flanagan, Lysaght, and Monheimer.
The Board had met at O'Clock, p. m Aldermen Mon
heimer and Clausen were the only members absent.
resolution adopted unanimously appointing Jerome
j. Collins City Surveyor. The following ordinance. by
alderman Lysaght then reported to the Committee
Markets:
The Mayor. Aldermen and Commonalty Of the City OF
SECTION ]. The Commissioner OF Pubic Works OF the
City OF NewYOrk hereby charged with the duty 81 te
fsfy of NeT-Yors. and 10 that end is empowered to
transfer stands to issue licenses to grant per
ms cause TO be dirt and nth therefr0m, ana
30 adopt such rules and regulations as he may deem
necessary carry into effect the power hereby given
SEC q All ordinances resolutions OF the Common
Council Inconsistent or conflicting with the provisions OF
tins ordinance hereby annued resoinded' and re-
SIC g. This ordinance shall take effect immediately
communication from the Mayor next read, In
answer to inquiry of the Board stating that IN his
opinion he had right 10 appoint four inspectors of
weights and measures, al by section ll9 of the new
Charter the law Of 1884 limiting the number TO two was
repealed.
A further communication from the Mayor, inclOsing
the report of the Auditing Bureau OF the Finance De
partment received and the report ordered to be
printed in document form. Alderman Flanagan then
moved TO adjourn which was lost by vote OF . 10 TO-
Alderman Morris next moved TO take from the table the
communication Of the Mayor dated June s. 1s73 appoint
ing Alfred Aekert and Solomon T. streeter two Ponce
Justices of the City of New-YOrk.
Alderman OtteBdOrfer said that the same motion had
been made a dozen times and voted down by the same
majority. Both the majority and minority had had i'm
proper motives imputed to them by aportOn Of the
public. If the majority would vote 10 take the nona
tons from the table, and give satisfactory reasons for
not confirming them he would vote with them 10 reject
Rll who had been nominated IL would be more manly
20 follow this than 10 simply refuse 10 take the
nominations from the table.
Alderman Van sehaick-" While agree with the re-
marks Of Alderman ottendorfer and consider his argu-
hnent good, as 1 always do, l only
speak for myself" He stated that il the Mayor
would tell him what persons had influenced him to make
the nominations he would be perfectly willing 70 give
his for not voting 20 confirm them, and II the
Mayor could convince him that the persons appointed
1T 10 fill the positions Of Police Justices than
The present occupants he would be most happy to vote
tor them. He did not, however, propose to be threat
frightened into voting for anybody. Intimating
that four members Of the Board had secured the posi-
lion for their friends and Alderman for his partner
he added that he good why he should not
have his partner friend two in the position. He
thought he had quite as good night anybody else
Alderman Kehr and stated that he desired TO
know whether the members Of the Board had the right
W they pleased not The Chair looked puzzled
Al this question and asked the gentleman expected
answer, which Alderman Kehr replied that he did.
The Chair then remarked that the question a very
unusual one, and declined TO answer. The Alderman
gently Tetaated by stating that understood the Chair
expected TO answer the questions OF the Board
"bHt" said he "snee the .Chair declines take great
pleasure giving my for opposing the cOnfrma
ton Of the appointed Police Justices" He then
proceeded TO state that he had seen great
many rumors in the various papers in rea-
bon to the Board Of Aldermen ana himself 4;
but whatever might be said his opposition not
based upon the fact that the Mayor, III making his
nominations had not selected any Of his German |
friends nor was II based obstinaey Becoming |
thoroughly warmed up 70 the sUbecS Alderman Kehr
continued "I desired patronage, some accuse me,
should take different course. have been offered |
patronage Here Is letter. only one Of numbers which
1 have received" and as he spoke he threw letter
Bpon table in front of the President signed One who
Knows" and containing the advice that il Alderman
Kebr desired any patronage for his German friends he
would pursue different plan from that which be had
teen following and hasten TO confirm the Mayors ap
pOintnents. The Alderman, continuing his remarks,
stated that in his opinion enough money had been
squandered by the city already and that the Board had
night TO necessitae the expenditure more the
confirmation Of the police justices would certainly do
by involving the city IN lawsuit In conclusion he |
said 81 entertain the strong republican principle that
disputes the right power Of any Legislature TO turn
of Office those who elected for term Of years
and would leave the the table till they rot"
Alderman Billings then claimed the floor. He stated |
that it had not been his intention TO say anything
relation his conduct but he felt compelled 10 do
account Of the remarks Of Alderman Van schack who,
ne supposed, referred to him when he spoke Of the
" partner Of one Of the members of the Board" He
admitted that one Of the Mayors nominees init
mate friend OF bis, but that he not had
been. a partner Il thiLk,7 continued Alderman
billings. will be considered to have acted independ
entity; voted f6f some Of the Mayors nominations and
opposed Others" He expressed himself surprised at
The legal learning OF the Board. and facenousy re-
marked that be doubted not the Judges Of the Supreme
Court would be selected from the Board Of Aldermen at
the next election He thought, however, that there
as such thing as carrying their learning too far and
thought much better way would be 70 confirm the
aud lesys the 9estiSn q their legality, if
any, to be decided by the courts He referred TO an
editorial yesterdays TRIBUNE as being rule every
member Of the Board had best follow, and regretted
that he had not the article 10 read 10 the members.
Alderman McCaherty then added few remarks In
httIx frfar
rup,ed by Alderman Billings, who asked him bow he
knew how many IL any of the nominees would be voted
for By the minority If the vote was taken
Alderman FaeOner for the first time IN month, arose