The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-10
The Patronage Of the City
Treasury.
Comptroller Green To Be Thrown
Overheard
THOMAS MURPHY FOR COMPTROLLER.

to the people generally. On Saturday reporter
OF the HERALD called upon Mr.. John Foley to
ascertain his views Of the present position and tho
result Of that call Ia given in the following inter-
view. 1t ia needless, almost, to state that Mr..
Foley is as Chairman Of the Executive Committee
Of the Committee OF Seventy, prominent re-
former, and his views are entirely from that stand
point:-
REroRrER-Mr. Foley, 1 have called upon you to
obtain information as to the apparent, and, sup.
pose, real rupture between Mayor Havemeyer and
the republicans on this great question of the APP
pointing power OF the Chief Magistrate of the city,
as indicated In the charter amendments
Mr.. FOLEY-I shall answer with pleasure; but
permit me to suggest that you call upon that young
man over in the Mayors Office. Ihave this moment
left him In the best OF humor and as lively as
young race horse. C. a
REPORTRR-That Is very good suggestion, but
should ike to have your views. What was the
cause Of the rupture, may ask. between Mayor
Havemeyer and the republican party
Mr. FOLEY-As understand IL, 1t is ths:-Soon
after the election in NOvembe last the Republican
General Committee appointed subcommittee Of
seven to draft new charter for our city. This
committee drafted many very proper and Just
amendments to the charter Of 1870. Their work, ON
the whole, was very commendable, except as to
the power OF appointments, and just here Ia where
the real fight Is. The republicans either forgot or
neglected to consult or advise with the Mayor and
In TACT, ignored him, and introduced their pro-
posed document into the Legislature without Civ.
ing or even submitting copy OF their work to
him. The Mayor then made one or two hasty ap-
pOintments from the ranks OF our enemies, whicn
have givea mucn offence and the repub.
leans have with some success en-.
deavored in their proposed action to give
nivfnr q had NJ vf,,.
into the hands Of the Board Of Aldermen, cu,ting
OF all power and Responsibility from the Mayor.
This is the very reverse OF what the people wanted,
as indicated by his election. The Republican Com.
mittee refused to confer with any party except the
Committee or Seventy and then 1t appears that
they secured q committee Of their own selection,
or OF any rate just the friends they wanted, and
had two three preliminary meetings. When
discovered what was going on made o contest
agans: it in the Committee Of Seventy and sue.
ceeded In having "the friends committee alb
ruptly dismissed, and insisted upon having new
committee OF half republicans and democrats ap-
pointed not to confer, but to walt till the charter
was drawn up, and then TO secure such amend
ments as we deemed necessary. This committee,
OF which Professor Dwight is chairman has the
support and confidence OF the Committee OF
seventy.
REroRTER-Do you think the Legislature will
pass the charter depriving the Mayor OF oil ap-
pointing pOwer2
MI: FoLEY-Ihe republicans have the necessary
votes to accomplish that result, but l hope the
wisdom OF the good men In that party viii prevail
to prevent any such unfortunate legislation. Ii
would result IN the ruin OF tnat party. Yes, 1t
would unite the good men OF all parties, including
ree pary that would the whole
nation Party and politicians can no longer rule.
Our people have found out that both are simply run
for plumber and against the best interest Of the
people. The Credit Mobilicr expose In Washington
will prove as destructive to the republican party as
Should the republicans persist, see nothing but
future; The people oS q this city and state
with Mayor Havemeyer for Governor. This
Will be the result OF the contest unless the repub
licans stand by the people. The same great reform
movement will go on successfully, and the people
OF the whole nation now fully appreciate the neces
Credit M0bilier fraud in Washington, Involving, as
1t does, nearly all the leading nien OF the repub-
lean party IN one OF the most shameful ,S, swndes Of
Fall. The same reform movement will secure the
election OF Governor DIX for next President, as he
the United States. Look at his recent Message.
For wisdom and practical Recommendations It Is
this Continent, every word of which know was
written by his own hand. Party and politicians
must stand from under; the great reform move
REPORTER-Wil Governor Dix sign the charter in
case 1t passes the Legislature deprving the Mayor
Mr.. FOiEY-I lad conversation with the Gov
ernOr four weeks ago. and pointed out to him then
exactly the present condition Of affairs with re-
gard to the charter and the Mayors position. 1t
Is my Impression from what His Excellency stated
that, should the charter receive the sanction Of
the Legislature, the Governor would not he justi-
fed in making personal contest on behalf OF the
Mayor. While the Governor ID strongly in favor OF
responsible for the good government OF our city,
the recent action Of the Mayor may have tendency
sne yoU q 1se Is to
about compromise
Mr. FoLEY-So far the contest is pretty bitter on
both sides. When the Mayor gets his ".Dutch"
up he is pretty determined ON having things his
own way. l never defeated him but once, and
aa vas 1e n ne would 70
doubt II could have put him down then, only that
had previously secured the assent Of his excel
Mayor s only indebted to one man for his election.
The republicans never would have nominated him
told me last July that he favored the nomina-
ton Of MI, Havemeyer, but the managers in
this city aid not want him ct all: II
the Mayor. What nonsense know or
my own knowledge that Mr.. Ttlden has not spoken
rather undertake TO drive baulky horse q mile In
Mayor: He g sen willed man. q extraordinary
Scns ySS that w na0e SSy
me fact That he Is not deSted to the
nor 70 any ~ party for MS election Hence s
terest OF the city and people.
RRPORTER--What about Comptroller CreenY Is he
to remain In the CQmptrQllcr's ofncef
Mr.. FoIEY-Now you have hit the sore spot and
the real foundation Of all the trouble. The Mayor
wants to keep Mr.. Green because he " honest
while the republican party want Mr. Green re-
moved and as they have the power they seem de
termined 20 effect that result. Collector Murphy
tells me that nearly all the members Of the Legsa
ture want MIN for Comptroller. They complain veiy
bitterly Of Mr.. Green's management, ana Will
some degree OF Justice too for while Mr. Green was
appoin Ted in the reform interest, he USED sne
whole power and immense patronage OF MS 4 uI,
for the benefit OF John Kelly and Tammany HAL
and regret 20 add that so partisan dld ne ptove,
that he refused to make single appontmen. ,or
either Mayor Havemeyer or myself before the elec-
tion-cOmpletely ignoring all the relormera lake
INV case for example. II have been the most active
W1rEer in the reform movement for the last four
vears / have given more money and time than
Mr. IA unauo int ftouo ust