The New York herald., 1874-05-07

Extraordinary Interpretation OF the
New Law-sweeping on Heads OF De-
partments by NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Am0D2 Local I9nlificians.

Extraordinary Interpretation OF the
New Law-sweepfng on Heads OF De-
partments by Whoiesalc-Excite citement
Among Local Polite ians.
Some legal iuminaries, who are not altogether
Indifferent to political changes, made wonderful
discovery yesterday afternoon, which, should it
turn out true, may prove valuable boon to the
entire community. Unfortunately. however, the
strong probability Is that the learned limbs OF the
law have made . mistake. These gentle
men, In reading over the bin known
as the "Consolidarion act" passed by the
last Legislature just before its adjourn
ment, profess to discover that. according to the
text Comptroller Green is legsiated out Of once,
and that the metropolis Is now actually without
Comptroller. and tnat other old heads OF depart
ments are no longer officers OF the new municipal
tty which this bill creates The views ol the
lawyers-whose Interpretation OF the Consolida-
tlon act has at leass The merit OF being start
hing, II not plauslble-cansed quite rip
pie OF excitement among the local politicians
County Court House when made public.
HERALD reporter made dillgenr inquiries, but.
though the politicians had them "pat,' he could
not trace them to any definite or responsible
authority.
LIBERAL OPINIONS.
They hold that the nrst section Of the new act
provides that the county Of New York and the
municipal corporation known as the Mayor,
York shall be one corporate body polite. The
same section transfers to this new corporation
thus created all The rights property, interests
claims, demands, DC, OF the county OF New York.
The second section provides tnat this newly con-
solidated corporation shall administer the
local government OF the city as well as Of the
county In all matters. They hold that according
to this section the new corporation has distinct
separate entity from the old body polite and cor
pOrate, and for all the purposes OF government
succeeds to the old city ana county governments.
Now 1t Is said the ne law contains the provision
making laws relating to the city and county Of
New York, as formerly constituted, applicable to
the new corporation, except that by the third Sec
ton Of the act the Board Of Aldermen is vested
subject, however, to the Mayors veto. and except
ton that the County Treasurer is made
treasurer OF the new corporation. on
the contrary. however, 1t Is claimed that
the act contains no provision whatever for the
constitution OF executive departments. The ex-
ecutiye departments OF the old municipality may
not be wiped out Of existence BY the old act, but,
as the old city corporation, under which they had
practical existence, has lost lis own entity and
power. the old officers are also deprived Of oil
power and authority.
A CLEAN SWEEP.
According to this startling view oil the heads OF
departments, Green, Van Mort, Deladeld Smith,
the Police, Health, Fire and PARK Commissioners,
are not officers of the new municipality created
by the new law, and have no power or authority to
act under it, excepting the special exceptions
made in the act OF the County Treasurer and the
Board OF Aldermen. This would leave us with o
new charter but without a governments. Promin-
ent politicians laugh at this Interpretation.