New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-03-17
TIE EMPTY POLICE CHAIR
.nnnrws wrrnrnAws FROM THE

o,,,,,., ar r,,r REQUEST or HIS COLLEAGUES.
There have been rumors, since tne rohoo
Board settled its differences Tia. lax 'o'n"''
Andrews would ask the Mayor W wlthurs" MS hae As
non,inee for the vacant Police Commssonership Inc
riends Of Mr.. Andrews say that when he allowed his
name to be used the Board was evenly divided and IL
,as understood that the new member w0nd be able to
cast tho deciding vote all disputed questions;
and "a Mr.. Andrews had taken no part IN
the quarrel he would be able TO cast unbiased vote
II also understood that Mr. Andrews had received an
ptmaion from Commissioners Russell and Duryea that
he would be their choice for President or was led TO
infer this from their private and public expressions
Now that the Police Commissioners have buried the
Ratchet, whoever goes into the Board OF Police VIII
DO looked upon as q supernumerary, and long
after his confirmation Will Weld less influence
than his experienced colleagues, foin
ignorance OF the business OF tho Department
Instead OF beng arbiter in questions In dispute his
voice vote would scarcely be of consequence on any
subject. Tho colleagues Of Mr. Andrews in the Tax
Office were also very much avcrse to his leaving Them
and for several days past in fact ever since the Police
Board settled its differences and elected Commissioner
Gardner President, they have urged Commissioner
Andrews to ask the Mayor TO withdraw his name. All
these Influences had their effect on Commissioner
Andrews On Saturday he received from Tax Com
missoners Wheeler and Mouton the following communl-
cation: -
NRwYORK, March IA. 1874
DEAR SIR: The time that has elapsed since your nom
natiou as Police Commissioner during which the lntf-
cate and difficult business of this Department. has ~
creased daily 1t must continue to do until the BOOKS
30th of April, and the further Tune "hlc
must necessarily eapse before your can take
his seat, induces earnestly and urgently to reque,
that you will remain in this Department. This branch
of the public service Is second Importance to any
other. and your long experience and knowledge OF tc
details of its duties render your services ndspensaDc
here in the crisis of its operations. We have had buO
little experience the duties incident TO this particular
must be equally inexperienced. Under these circuni-
stances respectfully ask that you will not permit am
further OF your name in connection with another
AppO'n'rHeN" i0u'' '''' VI JONI WHEELER,
SEVERN ID. MoUL1oS'
Hon. Geo. II. Andrews.
This led Commissioner Andrews 10 ask for the with
drawal OF his name and he sent to Mayor Havemeyer
the following communication, accompanied by copy Of
the one received from the Tax Commissioners
DEPARTMENT OF TAxEs AID Ass " 1dI,,
MY DEAR SIR: In compliance with request made oy
nv colleague copy Of which is inclosed ask yon 70
need hardly say how highly appreciate my appoint
rent by yourself and the Board of Aldermen to my
present position and the new mark OF confidence mani
tested by your late nomination to another office, and
that nothing but feeling that at this particular time OF
the year be of service TO the pnblic In the
position l now occupy would induce me 10 withdraw
GRO II. ANDREWS.
To the Hon. W. F. Havemeyer, Mayor, Is.
reporter or The TRIBUNE called on tDe mayor anu
asked him whether he would withdraw Commissioner
Andrews's name and send into the Board OF Aldermen
on Thursday the name OF q new nominee for Police
Commissioner He replied that he had not yet made up
bis mind. He wished first to have personal conference
with Commits sOner Andrews and declined meanwhile 20
indicate what his action would be. He admitted that he
had received the communication from Commissioner
Andrews and seemed some what surprised that il had
been made public.
One OF the reasons stated In the letter 10 Mr. An.
drews, for tho desire OF the other Com missoners 70
have him remain with them tho pressing business in
the Tax Commissioners office at this time. one OF them
stated explanation OF this that from the middle OF
January when the assessment books opened unul
they are closed at the end OF April the time Of the
Commissioners denoted TO the hearing and eIamna-
ton claims for reduction in assessments In addition
to the ordinary lsbors Of their ce This work which
requires a knowledge OF the many legal points which
raised penetration TO discover the many subterugos
which are used to elude taxation, and aoq uainanco
with the relations in which corporations ard individuals
stand to the city 10 regard TO their liability 10 taxation.
perfect acgua with all the details IL also
order forward the business with accuracy and
DISPATCH. In III this, Mr.. Andrews's experience ne
the other Commissioners who have only been in office
snce May AMI while, OF course they feel that they
could manage 10 get along nicely II his place filled
by another yet they think that he is useful tO
city his present position tran no would be al Police
u0aaQudTiGrsi =. - &c