The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-06-28
TNE P0LIyE COMMISSIONERS.
Resignation Of Messrs. Gardner
and Charlick.
THE CAUSES THEREFOR.
A Plea in Deience-Ihey Review the
Situation.

Sp"culatloh was vide and varied throughout the
town yesterday on the subject OF the present no d.
ing Of the Condemned Police COMMISSIONS -.
Those whose interest or purpose 1t would serve
asserted with much positiveness their terms
were ended and Messrs. Cbarick and ardner
must now return to their former state OF sim pie
citizens. The contrary opinion was as largely
disseminated by the supporters OF the Commits
sioncrs' cause, but IN the absence OF positive
authoritative opinion on the subject each man
made himself happy with the offspring OF his de-
sire. The excitement and anxiety were much
greater yesterday than at any previous time.
Things we're in this state throughout yesterday
ana up to- late hour last evening, wnen MIR.
Gardner put specuat on out by giving TO the pub
lie the following letter containing his resignation
and that OF Mr.. CharcS, with their reasons log
taking that step at the present moment
THE LETTER OF RESIGNATION.
NEW YORK, June 81, 1874
To THE HON. WILLIAM +. HAvEMEYER Mayor Of
the ty oi New York
pointing US Commissioners OF Police, and our
appointments were promptly confirmed by the
charged the duties OF our respective oiices to The
best OF our AGILITY and with the view to the faith
ful execution OF the laws. That we have met with
mucn opposition ana no small amount OF aspersion
and criticism from those who did not OF would not
comprehend the true condition Of af1airs shall
not attempt TO gainsay; but that such charges
have been unjust and unfair we unhesitatngIy
assert. Almost Immediately upon our entrance
into Office we found ourselves compelled, under
the Election law TO select for the election Of No.
vember, 1873, 2, 100 persons 10 serve as inspectors
OF election and l,036 other persons to act as pon
clerks, total Ol 3,lcO appointments The law
itself was recent one, and the duties imposed
upon us under its provisions were ie!t TO be
Desiring tnat such persons should be APP
pointed as election officers as were not
1 D once t were men wno Would "a" at uX S
ecute the law We exercised every precaution IN
the matter Oh selection. 1t could not he expected
that all our appointees should be personally know
10 us. and therefore, we were compelled often
times to rely upon the recommendations OF others.
That were in instances imposed upon anu
incompetent or bad men chosen was subsequently
made known to us. but we at all times sought
In ormation respecting appointees, and where
evidences OF lncompetency OK bad con.
thereon PROMPTLY IN The interests Of inc Inc
with the requirements or the law. SO ar as we
are iniormed and as we believe our conduct was
nor was it the subject of criticism by other than
the imme nate and active managers OF rammany
Hall, who first sought to control one-half OF our
trouble and annoyance unless we submitted to
tier demands. While refusing to be dc
time offered them every opportunity to
furnish The names OF those whom they desired
applicants were carefully canvassed, their merits
ascertaned and Que recognition awarded them.
Tins however JAILED to satisfy certaiu leaders OF
cceded TO Garry out their threats by appointing
committee to investigate, as they sad, various
fraudulent deeds and acts about I, be committed
at the ensuing election. Immediately upon learn
Ing OF TINS action and on me 3otn 81 vctober 1873
OF 'rammany Hall, letter, OF winch the following
Is COPY
TREasuRsRs OFFICE, POLICE DEPARTMENT,
CRY or NEW Yonx, October 30. 1873.
MY DEAR SIn ir noce by the morning paoers that
SSs eeoa
9 bee 70 aaS o. thai Se s4 to be 70
oner you every IaeilIy in my power and to assist IN
yours ''' ''''' Q. CHaRLIcK
JonN KELLY Esq.
communication and Substantially no complaint
was made thereafter untii The morning OF election
day. On the 81 Of November tthe 4tn beng the
day OF eiection) two aindavls were presented 10
Us respecting one John sheridan, VINO was acting
as an inspector OF election in the Twenty-tnrd
Election district of the Eighteenth Assembly dis
trlct. Repeated verbal statements, more or less
specific, respecting the bad character OF tnls man
had been MADE to us for some DAYS previous put
We declined TO act unless specific charges were
made IN writing and under OATH Such charges
were subsequently presented on the day preceding
the day oil election, and were as iOilOWs-
STATE Of Nea Yorl. Cty and County Of Ne- York sw. r.
worser, OF No. ll5 East Ihrtieh street. being duly
East street acting az an % Of elec-
hearing that he Gherdan was III the habit wniie acting
ballots handed to INN BY hoss pH,tcay oppo ca his
party On we no9r e e he anh ar me
ballot boxes the tcsets Of his rarty the place thereof
LIS snowedge and bset not Sve be
isn wat" The 'G P4sH K fe'
ana spnceeea before mf s s YAK Of
STATE Of Nem York. city and Con.y Of Ne,r Yorh, m.--
Thomas Masare, OF No 4s9 Fourth avenue, in the city
says three oneren occasions he has
told BY named John sheridan, who is acting
a, he O. Eghesnth Assembly district nat While ae
s "a Inc By SSe II s
to W. ny On s ar ae S %s
acnsa an inspector OF election snd can asser
Subscribed and to before me- this ssf day &C.
tobcr, ls7a-N. J. DALEY, NJ p. New York county.
Believing that when such charges were pre-
ferred we Should be derellct in our duty did we a
to act promptly thereon, IL meeting OF the Board
OF Police was held, At which were present Commits
sloner5 Smith and Duryee with ourselves. From
The Committee on Elections we reported the facts
respecting sheridan, aud recommended his re-
Moval and an appointment TO MI the vacancy
created. BY unanimous vote, as the minutes
VIII suostantia,e, sheridan was removed and the
vacancy filed oy the apI ointment OF another This
action we believed TO be In cOnsOnance with both
the letter and the spirit OF the law, anu In the in
terests OF a lair and honest election. the following
day ELECTION day. Mr.. John Kelly appeared at 20
lice headquarters and demanded an eXpgna ion
OF our action respecting sheridan. We land before
him the lacts ana stated tnat upon Tue athdayts
us but tnat which we had taken. Following tins,
upon the morning OF election day adnerents oil
lsmnany nan .naoneeu ~, v,ioes p,sins eH Vles
TO be disturbed and that the laws were, in
some indefinite way, TO be violated by the
ponce. We were for time at loss
to comprehend the real significance
OF these manifestations but observation
shortly disclosed the act that, with scarcely an
exception, statements came nom the personal re-
tainers or men prominent in Tammany Hall IN
the Eighteenth Assembly district, and most of
whom we're OF the same stanuing IN the committee
as Jonn sheridan Immediately the following let
ter sent TO Captain Aiiairc, In command OF the
Twenty first precinct:-
EIGrrEENrH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT.
TRnAsVRERs OrrrCr POLfCE DEPARTMENT CITY
or NKw YoRK, No. % MULBERRY SrREer.
NEW YORK. Nov. 4. 1873
DEAR SIR-Complaipt has been made thar the police
wiz be disturbed the east side OF your precinct
request that the greatest be taken
only keep the peace but that order ard fir play viii
lie med You will take care 10 protect tue watch
that have been selected to superiniena the
Very truly yours, u. CHARlHCk
This communication both In Its letter and spirit,
was. we believe. luily complied with by the subor-
dinatca OF The pnucp ueuartmenL. i,erfalplx no