The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-06
OUR NEW MAYOR.
An Hours Conversation with
Solid Chief Magistrate.
THE HAVEMEYER MANSION.
Views Of the Past and the Present by
One Who Understands Both.
TIE CURSE OF COMMISSIONS.
What the Republican Party May Do at
Albany for New York City.
l845.-OUR POLICE SYSTEM. 1873
The Chief Magistrates Opinion OF
Men, Means and Measures.
"REMINISCENCES OF OLD STYLE GOVERNMENT
Stories of Old Thieves and
ThieGTalxeI.s.
THE THEORY OF RING" MAKING.
The Chief Magistrates Opinion OF
Men, Means and Measures.
"REMINISCENCES OF OLD STYLE GOVERNMENT
Stories of Old Thieves and
ThieGTakers.
THE THEORY OF RING" MAKING.
Facts for the People and Politicians to
Read and Think About.


About midway between Eighth and Ninth ave.
nues, on Fourteenth street. stands large, aristo-
cratic mansion, with an imposing front and O
hight OF marble steps leading to q doorway that
seems to welcome all who approach. There is no
brown stone balustrade along the sidewalk to rem.
der the mansion exclusive looking but the old
style, spear topped railing curves inward, without
any gateway or wicket, to the doorpOsts on either
hand: two lamps at the foot of the steps shed
CHEEKY light over street portal and facade. The
street number Of the establishment Is 1886, and the
polished doorpiate bears the inscription, In plain
Roman letters, wv. F. Havemeyer." This staid,
stately and IN some respects old time appearing
residence is the home OF the newly elected Mayor
Of this city; and, standing alone, as 1t does 1t
looks just as independent and solid structuraly
Its owner is known to be pecuniarily and politl.
cally.
On Saturday evening HERALD reporter assembled
the marble steps, rang the bell and in few mo-
ments presented card to neat-looking maid
servant who responded to the summons. She in
vlted the reporter to enter, stated that Mr. Have
meyer had not yet left the dinner table, and d.
rected the news gatherer. whom impairment people
might consider "a horrid interviewer" to be seated
In the library, a small apartment to the right
of the vestibule. 1t impossible not to
large hall, with It's broad turned staircase and
general appearance Of comfort. While the maid
was about presenting the callers card to the
Mayor the reporter took mental inventory Of
some interesting objects In the small study into
which he was ushered. The furniture consisted
briefly OF large folding secretary, with the writ.
Ing leaf turned open. as though the Mayor had
been hard at work when summoned to dinner.
Several bookcases, with tier upon tier of
IMAM srN,c
perpetuated in ink and bound in callskin numer.
Gus pictures, including several diplomas, oertih-
Gates of membership portrait Of Lincoln and a
number OF ornaments Some chairs and long, sweep
ing window curtains oface completed the interior
fittings. On the elpiece bronze casting repre-
scented boar at bay, and two small taper sockets,
also OF bronze, presented models OF boars heads,
with briste-cad occiputs and dangerous, fang-ike
tusks. Directly over these was suspended
piece of highly ornate and elaborate
penmanship OF about the size OF page Of the
HERALD, and set in a heavy carved and gilt frame.
The central panel sets forth in letters of varied
form and prettily grouped lines, that "The Board
OF Canvassers of the City Of New York do hereby
certify, determine and declare" that at a certain
election for Mayor, held In 1855, civilian +.
Havemeyer received majority Of the votes
cast" and was duly elected to the SAID office.
This declaration Is certified by the signature OF
eTtson. Deputy S COUNTY Cierk" Then follows the
final certificate OF the County Clerk to the same
effect, and the signature OF tins last-named official,
cidedy ladylike hand On the lower margin Of the
belt which encloses this tablet is inscribed
The panel is thrown out in relief by drapery OF
ermine and crimson, with pendants and the ma
arms and emblems. The border represents an
arch, the columns being embellished with aegories
art and education. This specimen Of chirography
IL over aquarter OF century old, and was pre-
After waiting a few minutes the reporter was
aroused from his study OF the penw0rk by the
tramp OF u PAIR OF solid feet in the vestbule aud
on turning to the door was greeted by the pres
ence OF q very solid-looking man, with smiling,
clean.shaven face ana gray hair Alter the ordi-
vted the reporter to be seated, and at the same time
filled solid-looking chair himself on the opposite
size OF his writing desk. Mayor Havemeyer would
look like Mayor whether holding the onice or not,
and II he had lived in the days OF Rip Van Dam, or
Won rwiller, he would have been Governor, burgo.
In reply to his interrogatory, "wiat can do for
yOu SIR" the reporter stated that he had called to
A CONVERSATION WITH THE MAYOR
on the subject OF municipal government, to be
published In the HERALD, II agreeable"
..weI, what particular branches n SO. Of municipal
affairs do you desire to speak onf" asked Mr. Have
meyer, as he sat back still more solidy in his
well, most particularly, Of COURSE" replied the
next, upon your views as to new charter"
The Mayor leaned his arm on his desk and said -
eageS You see that is subject upon which 1t Is
diiicult for me to say anything. should be antic-
ipating my message, which would perhaps be
discourteous TO some people and might very Justly
be complained or have been called upon to-day
by reporters from all the papers, including the
HERALD asking me for copies Of the leading points
OF my message. I refused them all, and IL would
look very invidions in me to refuse them and grant
you what had declined to others"
The reporter made several attempts In a polite
way to induce the Mayor TO favor him with few
"polnts" but the Chief Magistrate was just as
solid In his determination not to accede as he Is In
his avoirdupos or his belief In Jackson or Jenarson
ihere was some smiling and Joking done on his
part and then all was over with the news-hunter
with the remark al should not mind
READING TILE MESSAGE
20 you now, but you gentlemen Of the press
nave by practice acquired such facility of memory
that you could carry away too much or what
read IN your mind, without taking a note. You
nad better wait TIL Monday and then you'n get 1t
an Iull III ID not very long"
The reporter next turned to the charter mes
lion and asked Mr.. Havemeyer whether there were
any suggestions In the message that subject.
and, alter little rejection, the Mayor replied =
wen, yes, have said little abo ut that but
cant say that they are suggestions This charter
ouSn s - que tst very deeply affects New York,
charter Is very peculiar thing. II may read ad-
mirably, and politicians and writer's may app,aud
It, as they have done not long since, and when YOU
come 90 apply the provisions of the instrument TO
the government OF large municipality ike New
York you find that Ii Is not all that fancy painted
it.'n
"sHALL WE HAVE NEW CHARTER
beyond question nom this Legislature, Mr..
ii rather think we shall. OF course YOU know all