The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-05-09

these; and the republican leaders, intent
upon schemes of mere partisan selfshness,
will learn sooner or later, that If they fail to
give good governments to the Southern States
the people will commit the work to others
who promise to become more faithful stewards
Of the general welfare.
Tho Astonishing Old Gentlsman In
tho City Hall-A Police Commissionsr
Found.
Mr.. Havemeyer, like an Egyptian mummy.
is curiosity in his way. Nobody can tell
what to make of him. 1t is known that he
lived half century ago, more or less, and was
once Chief Executive Officer Of the overgrown
village Of New York, at which time he used to
wander in the fields above the City Hall Park,
with an old Waterman named Matsell at his
heels and lantern in his hand, searching
for thieves and "vagrom men" to scompre-
hend." But in these days it puzzles even those
cute individuals, the ward politicians to mako
munity by some new freak, and the moment
when the political managers feel the most
certain Of having captured him is the very
time he chooses for the exhibition Of some
eccentricity which throws them all into com
fusion. A vacancy having occurred In
the Police Board Mr.. Havemeyer nominated
to the Board Of Aldermen first one Commits
sioner and then another both of the Custom
House republican stripe and both respectable
citizens, whatever may have been their quail
fcations for the particular Office to which they
were assigned. The Aldermen failed to con-
firm either nominee, and SO the Custom House
republicans enlisted in crusade against tho
Aldermen, heaped all sorts Of abnse upon
them and lobbied bill through the Legisla-
ture depriving them of the confirming power
in the case Of vacancies and giving the abso-
lutte appointment to the Mayor. The moiety
men thought that the pleasant and afabls
manner in which Mr.. Havemeyer agreed with
all their suggestions amounted to . pledge
that he would use his new power in behalf OF
their own party, and they argued that he could
not fail to appoint Mr.. Rowland, his last
nominee, to the vacant Police Commissioners
Ship if only on the ground Of consistency.
Mayor Havemeyer has filled this vacancy, but
lican; neither has he bestowed the Office on .
Green Tammany democrat He has astounded
the politicians on both sides and set the city in
an uproar by making Mr.. A. Disbecker, the
Supervisor Of the City Record, Police Com
missioner in place of Henry Smith, deceased.
When the announcement was made it fell like
q bombshell in the Custom House and in the
Wigwam. Mr.. Disbecker is an independent
republican, an Albanian by birth, but q resi-
dent of New York since his infancy. As he
has held no important position heretofore and
is young man no person can tell whether
he possesses or lacks the qualifications Of
good Police Commissioner. He may turn out
an American Fouche, or he may prove second
Hugh Gardner. He is at best ON experiment.
and to so important o position the Mayor
should have appointed only an experienced
and reputable citizen. The fact that Mr.. Dis
becker is protSge of Senator Woodin,
member of the committee appointed by the
State Senate to investigate the affairs of the
Police Department, is alone sufficient to create
the impression that the extraordinary appoint
ment has been made with the object of sitting
the proposed investigation. However this
may be, it is certain that from political
standpoint the appointment is o revolution.
1t is neither fish nor fesh-neither Custom
House nor Wigwam. In his former position
in the city government Mr.. Disbecker has
been known as sturdy opponent Of Comp
troller Green and his financial policy and a.
O personal friend of the Mayor. Mr.. Green
and the Custom House republicans united
in securing the law which gave the sole ap-
pointing power to the Mayor and the Mayor
cheats them both and selects Police Conn
missioner Of his own. It is now said that MI.
Havemeyer nominated Messrs. Andrews ana
Rowland for the express purpose OF creating
q breach between the Custom House and the
Aldermen, knowing that the nominations
would not be confirmed, and thus led the Gus
tom House clique into the trap OF stripping
the Aldermen of the confirming power. How
ever this may be, he has certainly made tools
of those who believed they were using him,
and has taken the first step towards the for
nation of third party in the municipal con-
test outs;de both Tammany Hall and the Wall
and William street building Whether the
citv will DO benefited or injured by the new
departure of the venerable marvel does not
clearly appear. But this is a matter Of very
little concern to the political hucksters known
as municipal reformers.
ABOUT MIRACLES. The writer Of life Of
Father Mathew addresses letter to an Irish
journal asking for authentic accounts Of any
miracles which may have been worked at
Father Mathews tomb" This writer adds.
'If any miracles have taken place it would
entirely be for the glory of God and the honor
of our great soggarth that they should he