The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-04-21
POLICE AND POLITICS.
IMPEACHMENT OF THE POLICE BOARD.
Tammany and Its Sachems in Line with
the Aldermen.

The politicians of the city were taken somewhat
by surprise yesterday afternoon by the action OF
the Board OF Aldermen at special meeting OF the
Board, report OF which appears below. Resolu-
tons requesting the Mayor to impeach the present
Police Commissioners were SO unexpected that the
Board after transacting this business Immediately
adjourned. The opinions Of the leading members
Of the Tammany Society, with the views OF the
Mayor and President Gardner, are given below.
The Board OF Aldermen.
Pursuant to call signed by majority OF the
members special session OF this Board was held
yesterday afternoon, at three O'Clock, Alderman
S. b. II. Vance, President, in the chair. Alderman
McCarerty moved that the reading OF the minutes
be dispensed with, which was adopted.
WAR ON THE POLICE COMMISSIONERS.
Alderman Ottendorier offered the following
resolution
Assembly, afer most searching inquiry ana personal
8 81 Police s
That tho Board Of Police, the MANAGEMENT of this
lack q that skill system and economy which The city
grave duiies and large amounts q
entrusted, that the entire System street
upon he people and he reYre came the conclusion
as s Of BY
beard 70 s OF men ao their d
sanitary and economical point of view, which position
Police Board does OCCUPY. and any psrmanent i'm
s anS If q4 be expected from
Whereas chapter sss, Laws of 1873 reorganize the
sssiion ! that the heads aspart%sn!s insIadns
whose appointment This section provided for may
be removed BY the Mayor tor cause alter opportunity
take effect to be approved by the Governor expressed
And whereas this Board would incur grave RESPONSE
sS sSs aessS the AL a oss IN
care me iie property and welfare of citizens in
the Pn si c
Bureau to perform their duty; therefore, be it
u III
cordance with the provisions Of the ac 70 reorganxe
s q city New and % re-
tie men as members of the Boar whose character and
able iaitafl and homes OF the import mt
trusts conferred by the laws the Police Department
= Alderman McCalrerty rose and stared that in
seconding the motion or his colleague he did so
from sense OF public duty; that 1t was notorious
fact that this Board has developed a reckless dis
regard OF public duty, as has been recently deve-
oped by the proceedings OF the Board Of Educa-
tion which requested the Commissioners to sup.
press the houses OF il-1ame In the vicinity OF the
public schools, and the street cleaning investiga-
ton BY the Assembly Committee; that the press
OF the city, without distinction OF party afiliatOn,
has been unanimous IN the condemnation OF the
Police Board. He earnestly hoped that the res0u-
ton would be adopted.
The call on the resolution resulted as follows:-
TO ADopr-Aldsrmen Flanagan. Gilon. Kehr,
Lysaght McCanerty, Monheimer, Ottendorer and
AGAINsT-Aldermen Vance, Billings, Norris
Faulkner and Koch--5.
Acknowledgement cooper ana Van Schaick.
The resolution was thus adopted.
On motion of Alderman McCanerty. the clerk was
directed to furnish copy or this resolution, duly
authenticated, 10 his Honor the Mayor
On motion OF Alderman Monhelmer, the Board
adjourned mntl! tne Irst MONDAY IN May.
q YnQ
nomination OF Judge Henry E. Rowland as Police
Commissioner would be confirmed, and, in conse-
quence, large lobby was in attendance
On Saturday, when the call for the special meet
ing was signed, the combination Tor confirming
/ yesterday new slate was made ana the reso-
luton OF Mr. Ottendorfer defeated the object mas
| much as the question or Mr. HOwand's nomi-
nation was not even touched upon.
What the Mayor will Do About It.
| The moment the Board of Aldermen had passed
their resolution OF war on the Police Department
q HERALD man glided swiftly from the chamber of
the Board and carried the news TO Mayor Have.
meyer.
action OF the Aldermen and said so. He mad not
expected anything of the kind.
'sThe HERALD, Mr.. Mayor" said the reporter,
'.would like to know what you are going to do
about it,
"Wnen the resolution is before me-" said His
Honor. 81 dare say shall be able TO tell you; but
until then OF course cannot say"
REPoRTER-You mean when it is before you ON
cially2 When will that be-to-morrow9
The MAYoR-Yes, tomorrow, suppose. don't
think the Clerk of the Board will have time to get
through with his work SO as 10 send 1t to me this
evening
REPoRTER-What do you think is the meaning OF
this action OF the Board, Mr.. Mayor There surely
must be some meaning in 1t.
THE MAyoR-My opinion is that Alderman
tasion as str ss honest and aprignt man
who would scorn to keep anything that
na not e ha to % mas s
ing 1t back to the Mayor. And that Is altogether
like him-altogether like him.
this movement OF the Aldermen and the fght that
Is to come on in Tammany Hall to-night'
The MAYoR-Perhaps there is; don't Gnow-do
KEroRTER-At all events, Mr.. Mayor you are
aware hat this resolution viii have some effect on
the coming political campaign this year?
The MAYoR-Oh have no doubt that it was so
intended; no doupt in the world about that.
l shall do with that resolutiOn-not the
least doubt. It is ridiculous Tor men to talk
single charge made upon which impeachment can
be grounded. With regard to that legislative Com
mittee on Cities and the evidence taken by it
Department, have not read the reports IN the
newspapers myself nor have seen the report Of
the committee; but from what have heard, am
not aware that anything like charges have been
made against the Police Commissioners Now,
when the Aldermen make charges against those
Commissioners and prove them-mind you prove
them-then think it Will be time enough to talk
about impeaching and removing people.
The HERALD man thanked His Honor and sailed
back to the Aldermanic chamber, where ne met
Alderman McCafferty.
swell, Alderman said the reporter, II have
seen the Mayor about your resolution"
"What does he say ~ ask ed Mr. McCafYerty.
"He says Mr.. Ottendorier has found mares
nest and sent IL to the owner"
Alderman MCCAFFERTY-Well, he'll get more
mares nests OF that kind than he'll know what to
do with; believe what tell you.
sGcneral,u said the HERALD man to General
Pinckney, Clerk OF the Board OF Aldermen, "wlll
you be able to send that resolution to the Mayor
this evening ~
mo, SIR" replied the General, II shant be able
to send II to him before tomorrow; 1t Is now in
no nd nj ha nrin