New-York tribune., 1873-05-09
Commissioner OF Taxes and Assessments A'oern'""
Koch casting the only opposing vote
THE PIGuT OVER THE ALDERMAN =,

Koch casting the only opposing vote
TIE FIGHT OVER THE ALDERMAN 4,
The result having been announced by the ohs' NJ
dermau Van Schaick Immediately moVeu .n'' % V ~ 80
munieation from the Mayor IN relation w "inne w. =.
cancy in the Board. and appointing Henry Is. ~
the scat be taken from the table, and MI causon "o
confirmed Alderman Billings offered "a an auienuiiohs
that the matter be referred TO the Law Comh''eo'
Alderman Van schack said that he perfectly wen
understand tbe motive that led TO the mouon VI MI
Billings and hoped that the proposition "ou'" "o' pre-
vail a., 49,, ,., a.,
.asaa, mr. evcn important to reply to the nsnua-
- of the gentleman. He opposed the contrma-
ro, of Mr. Clausen because he believed IL TO
bo an unsettled constitutional question whether
,ho Mavor had any legal right or power to appoint
ON Alderman and because there was an act now
bofore the Legislature giving the power OF appointing
Aldermen TO fiji vacancies to both Boards
Alderman McCaGerty hoped that the appointment Of
Mr. Causen would be confirmed. 1t was. in his opinion,
due to the Mayor and due the great interest that Mr.
Ciausen represents.
Alderman Cooper stated that since the last meeting
OF the Board he had taken the trouble to examine the
Charter carefully in reference TO the subject OF filling
vacancies in the Board He thought that the text OF
the Charter proved the question of the Mayors want OF
power in the matter the words in the Charter being
"any vacancy that shall occur" He held that it has no
Gsey occurring before its passage leaves the matter
Of appointing his successor under the rule of the old
Charter and he did not think it advisable TO experiment
in so important affair." without careful Investigation
Of the subject.
Alderman Ottendorfer said that he thought the Mayor
perfectly of the point raised by his associate
and had probably taken legal advice before making the
appointment. vote was then taken on Alderman
Bngss motion to refer TO Committee on Law, and was
lost voting to refer and opposing Alderman Cooper
then reiterated his statement tnat the action OF the
Mayor in appointing Alderman was illegal Alder
McCafIerty TO point Of ORDER and appealed
to the Chair TO know IL Alderman Cooper was out
| OF order. The Char so decided, and MT Cooper
took his seat repeating that discretion the better
part OF valOr" Alderman McCaferty insisted that the
Mayor knew what he was about. Alderman Cooper
| then desperately moved an adjournment, which was
lost by vote OF 10 10 3. Alderman Monbeimer moved
next 10 refer the matter the Counsel to the Corpora
| ton. Alderman Van schaick stated that every one
knew that it decided before the meeting TO refer tho
| question Of confirming Mr. Causen to the Law
Committee and TO kill it there but
| for his part he was opposed to it,
Alderman Cooper said that such exactly the inen-
ton OF the Board and that Van schack himself proposed
| it, Uaughterl Alderman Kehr remarked that he had
no faith in law when expOunded by lawyers. More
aughtefl. Alderman Cooper then moved again TO ad-
ourn which lost The original question then being
called for, vote on the CONFEDERATION OF heniy OiaSon
as an Alderman to III the place OF the late Peter Gsey,
was taken and resulted in his confirmation by vote OF
| 9 10 4, Aldermen FaoOner, Flanagan, Kehr, Koch,
| Iysaght McCafferty Ottendorfer Reilly, and Van
Schaick voting Yea and President Vance, Aldermen
| Billings, Cooper, and Morris voting Nay. Alderman
Monhemer asked leave change his vote which, after
some argument, was granted, and he then announced
his intention to call reconsideration Of the vote at the
next meeting of the Board
Alderman Reilly moved that committee Of three be
appointed to wait upon Mr. Causen and inform him Of
his election the suggestion Of the Char that such
a proceeding would he improper he withdrew his mo
ton Alderman McCafferty offered resolution that the
Mayor and Commissioner of Public Works be authorized
to take means to establish daily city record as required
| by the new Charter.
| The Board then adjourned until today at 4p. IN.