New-York tribune., 1873-05-09
THE ALDERMEN YIELD.

THE ALDERMEN YIELD.
Long before the hour named for the meet
ing Of Board Of Aldermen the Obbes loading to the
MAJ Ors Office and the main hall filled with polti-
clans OF all classes and conditions In the outer office,
adjoining the Mayors private ROOM we're representa-
tyes Of all the political parties -RefOrmers Republicans,
and Democrats, OF all shades ana factions. Prominent
among these were John Wheeler Hugh Gardner, Judge
Ledwith George starr. Of the newly appointed Com
missoners Of Emigration, Aldermen Morris. Monhemer,
Van schaick, and MoCaferty John OBrien, Assistant
Alderman ThOrnen, and many others. IL was evident
that q hours had made decided change in the aspect
OF affairs. John Wheeler. who, Wednesday, looked
rather respondent. aud whose confirmation or rejec
ton mauy bets had been made seemed bright and cheer
ful, and the intelligence passed from mouth TO
mouth that there enough secured to confirm
the Tax and Health Commissioners beyond doubt with
reference to the nomination for Alderman there
much doubt expressed. The majority Of the dominant
faction favor Of referring the nomination OF Mr.
Ciau>eu TO the Law Committee of the Board Of Alder
ncu for the that they not certain that the
Charter conferred on the Mayor the power to
make nomination to ill vacancy which oc-
CURED before the Charter passed. and there were
Others who thought that the Aldermen should have the
power 20 dll vacancies in their body. There was one
element however in the Board. which seemed to have
been overlooked and this in the case MT Causen,
IL subsequently, proved, turned the scale The Tammany
Aldermen it cODjectured would vote sOdly against
the Mayors nominations. So far from doing so, how
ever. the test yOe-that of confirming John Wheeler
a. President of the Board of Taxes and Assessments
They voted sodly for him. and IN the of the other
nominees. the majority OF the Tammany Aldermen voted
in euch to confirm. They evidently determined
that II factions opposition is made to the Mayors
nominations, 1t shall come from those who would
naturally be supposed to vote for the Mayors nominees
During the meeting Of the Assistant Aldermen the
noise outside resembed the hum OF a OF bees, be-
coming 90 last loud that a squad of policemen we're
.TI, info a
and quarrelsOme crowd. Presently the Aldermen fled
the countenanco Of each bearing pleasant smile of
goodwill and cOmpiacent self-satsfactiOn. Those with
out the railing whispered to another. while the AL
within took their respective seats in silence, and
President Vance having arrived, the Board was called
10 order.
At the conclusion Of the reading Of the minutes Alder
man Billings arose. and, amid breathless silence, moved
10 take from the table the Mayors communication ap
pointing Charles f. Chandler President and stephen ID.
smith q Commissioner Of the Board Of Health. Alder
man Riley immediately moved amendment to take
up instead Of the OF the Health Commissioners,
the names OF the Commissioners Of Taxes and Assess
ments This amendment was ruled out of order by the
Chair and the motion Of Alderman Billings was then
unanimously adopted. Alderman Flanagan then
moved that the two appointments for Health Commits
sioners be confirmed Alderman Cooper appealed TO the
Cnar that the should be acted separately and
wassusaiued his opinonl The vote Of the Board
then taken upon the confirmation OF Prof Charles F.
Chandler President OF the Board OF Health, and re-
suited hs confirmation by a vote Of II TO l, Alderman
being absent. The asserting vOtes were cast by
President Vance, and Aldermen Billings, Cooper, Fal-
coner, Flanagan Kehr, Lysaght Monheimer, Morris,
Otteud0rfer Reilly. and Van Schack, the only opposing
vote being given by Alderman McCaferty. The vote
the confirmation OF DIR. Stephen Smith as a Com
missioner the of Health then taken, Alder
Billings Cooper, FalcOner, Flanagan, Kehr Koch,
Monhcmer Morris, Ottendorfer, Reilly, Van Schaick,
aud President Vance voting in the affirmative. aud Al
dermen Lysaght and McCafIerty in the negative.
Immediately after the announcement OF the vote,
Alderman Morris moved take up from the table for
confirmation the three appointments as sent in by the
Mayor Commissioners of Taxes and Assessments The
Bhar ruled that in every case the names must be acted
on separately, and the Of Jonn Wheeler Pres
dent OF the Department called up. Alderman Van
schaick opposed and moved that the confirmation of
Wheeler be postponed, and the name laid over. His
motion was not seconded, however, and vote being
taken John Wheeler wsss confirmed as President Of
the Department Of Taxes and Assessments by vote OF
18to1 Alderman Van Schaick being in the negative A
vote WAS next taken the Of George II. Andrews
5or Commissioner OF the Department, which resulted
in his confirmation 19 voting for and alderman Nc
Cafertyj against.
The FIRST SERIOUS OPPOSITION.
The name OF Severn d. MoutOn being next called UP
for confirmation as Commissioner OF Taxes and Assess
meuts Alderman Cooper moved that 1t lie over until
the next meeting OF the Board This Drought Alderman
Van schack at once TO his feet. He stated that Mr.
Monitor held as high position in the estimation OF the
pubic a. either Mr. Andrews Mr., Wheeler, and that
the desire 10 postpone his confirmation was the result
Of a bargain.
Alderman Cooper explained that be opposed the reso
luton simply because he did not know Mr.. houlion
The candidate was spoken Of very highly but the Alder
man thought that his age disqualified him. He thought
The position Of Commissioner of Taxes and Assessments
should he filed by younger man than Mr. houton'
man Of middle age who could be always at his post
Alderman Reilly expressed the opinion that Mr. Mou
ton was as good for the position either oi the
others.
Alderman Kehoe stated that he had numerous letters
which could fail 10 satisfy him OF the honor and in
teguty Of Mr. MOultOn.
Alderman Cooper arose again. and explained that 70
oppOsed the confirmation OF Mr.. MoultOn from the
unrest OF motives but since the members Of the Board
,ppeared so universally in favor Of his continuation he
SHas willing 10 withdraw his motion. Alderman Nc
Canerty stated that man living could say aught
agaipst the character Of Mr. MOulton. Alderman Fal
coper said that Mr. MOultOn was well known ntbe City
Of Kew-York and had been connected with the Reform
movement for IS years. and the speaker hoped that the
BOARD would confirm the appointment.
A vote being taken. Mr. M0ultOn was confirmed as