The New York herald., 1874-11-22
THE MUNICIPAL COMPLICATIONS.

and to God Is not diminished Dy the failure OF any
THE MUNICIPAL COMPLICATIONS.
Rumors Regarding tho Removal Of
Omcials by Mayor Havemeyer-Is the
Report a Cannrds
Mayor H8vemeyer denies. In the most emphatic
language, that there is the slightest foundation
for the rumors that he intends TO Immediately re-
move on charges some of the commissioners and
heads OF city departments. This statement he
again ana again specifically reiterated in an inter-
view with the HERALD representative yesterday.
Thorough investigation was made yesterday OF
both sides OF the question. Allegations for and
against the Mayors veractty were freely clrcu-
lated.
THE MAYORS SIDE.
In the afternoon Mr.. Havemeyer was found at
his office IN the Otty Hail. seated In the comfort
able armchair specially provided to support the
Executive body. Being questioned BY the HERALD
reporter as to the foundation ana veracity OF the
rumors the venerable gentleman demonstratively
asserted that the rumofs published in some OF the
papers were pure nctions. He had no intention
OF removing anybody, and no charges had been
preferred.
REPoRTRR-Do you positively assert, Mr.. Mayor,
that the whole story Is false.
weM-founded charges are presented to me against
any official 1T Is my duty to thoroughly investigate
them, giving full opportunity for defence l do
not propose TO remove respectable men who have
q character to maintain without giving them
every opportunity Of clearing themselves OF all
accusation
REPoRrER-Then you mean to assert that all
statements and rumOrs IN this connection are
simply falsehoods-that they are canards OF sensa-
ton mOngersf
The MAYoR-That is precisely what l mean to
assert.
This ended the interview with His Honor, and
recourse was had Tor the Information to a ''bosom
friend" Of LIS Honor. in the hope that some new
light might be thrown on the subject. This gen.
tleman did not want his name mentioned, but his
precise language was aS fOll0ws:-
"Attempts were made to induce the Mayor 10
take steps against Commissioner Van Mort and
Corporation Counsel Smith. so far from taking
part with them ridiculed the Idea the moment
heard Oft. All the parties seeking to use the
Mayor accomplished was to get him to write o
letter to Mr. Smith, making inquiries In reference
to certain suits. Mr.. Smith called this morning
ana gave HIM all the Information that he desired,
and the Mayor has written to him, Withdrawing
his first letter, so the one days wonder has col
! WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN.
There Is. however, precedent and philosophy Tor
this ruulOfcu action OF the Mayor. Tne venerable
gentleman has, no doubt, committed 1nnumerabe
blunders; but, according 30 his own statement
and that OF his friends, he has not yet determined
upon flying trapeze act which might again startle
the city with lis slngularity. It Is probably some
strategy TO cause the removal Oh officials who
could be easily sent about their business by Mayor
Wickham on well substantiated charges, thus
giving patronage to tnat gentleman which he
routine to follow before this desirable work can
be accomplished. Charges must be regularly made
to the Mayor and then Submitted to the Governor
tnr aDDrOyai. If they found be a
serious character and proper evidence brought
forward to convict them their removal must fol-
low as matter OF course.
COMMISSIONER VAN MORT INTERVIEWED.
The head OF the Department OF Public Works was
Of Sdne the Css Hall The gentleman looked perfect
personifcation Of ease OF mind and conscience
He did not look as II the official axe were about TO
fall and decapitate his MASSIVE head and elegantly
twisted mustache. He politely informed the
the proposed removals, and that he had seen
Mayor havemeyer the day before at meeting OF
the Gas commissioners, where their consultation
was most cordial and friendly.
CoRpoEATloN COUNSEL SMITH ON THE SITUATION.
The law adviser OF the corporation was found at
his commodious offices IN City Han square. The
version OF the story OF MS proposed removal, as
/ CLEANED irom conversation with the gentleman
Mr. Havemeyer has been in the habit. from time
to tlme oil addressing letters OF inquiry TO Mr..
smith with respect TO various suits pending IN
14th inst. y letter similar to many which have
been received before, was addressed to the Coun-
the 10Th INST. Mr. Smith replied IN writing, and
the Mayor at once wrote to MIN that he had read
his communication and tnat he saw nothing what
that required any criticism al his, the Mayors,
| hands. The following Is the letter In full:-
MAYORS OFFICE Nov 20 1874
MY DEAR sIR-I have received your letter of the 18th
inst in answer to communication Of the 18th inst,
at aG'sns my its
Hon. e. DELAFiELp SMITH
WAS THERE A CoNSPIRACYp
And now comes the allegations OF those who
clalm to know all the iacts In the case. These
gentlemen solemny assert that thera was q con-
! spiracy-a gigantic and well matured conspiracy.
And here IT'S
Comptroller Green, they alege, has been the
MepnlstOphcies OF the whole manHuvfe. Like the
WHY demon who tempted Faust and overcame
Marguerite, he has. they say, plotted and en-
gineered the whoie scheme. Tne nrst act IN the
drama, as suggested TO stage Manager Havemeyer,
sloners-Perey and Van Cott Then the reslgna.
tion vi stern and Laimbeer OF the Charities and
Correction, was demanded. Fire Commissioner
Hatch was said to be the principal mover in the
attempt to oDtalu REORGANIZATION, winch would
leave him with two new commissioners, the object
being to head Off the damaging report OF the late
Commissioners OF Accounts.
second Act.-Green, IL Is said. consulted with
Hayemeyer and started an intrigue at his own
house. His proposition was lor the removal of
Smith, Disoecker and Van Mort, Disbecker being
thrown in as bait to catch Havemeyer. Green
wanted James q. Carter in smith's'place as Cor
shcn n
Sidney dc Kay as Police Commissioner IN place OF
Disnecker, aud Alfred W. craven in place Of y an
4 Mort, pledglng himself TO Havemeyer that II he
would state IN writing his intention to appoint
! these men, not only that he would obtain Gov
ernor Dix's consent TO the removal OF the present
incumDents but also Governor TlIden's
promise that the new appointees should
not be interiered with. 1he Mayor was
/ willing, If the whole programme could be carried
I out, to make the appointments and removals re-
! CURED. Havemeyer was then furnished by Green
! with charges against Van Mort and Smith. The
4 charge against Disbecker was to De an alleged
I ignorance on the part OF Havemeyer OF his char
\ acter and qualifications when ne made the ap-
pointment, and his subsequent conviction that 1t
| was not proper one. Havemeyer, alter reading
Green's allegations against Smith, heslated TO
put them In the shape or charges; but lie wrote
letter TO Smith embodying the allegations
and requesting an explanation Smith, EVIL
IDENTITY aware that, although In the shape
OF lnterrogatores Havemeyer's questions were
intended as o foundation for charges and
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