The New York herald., 1874-11-08
MUNICIPAL PATRONAGE.
The Candidates for President of
the New Board of Alder
memberships, &c.
Rumors Among the Departments Com
missions, &c.


to the different ofiices at the disposal OF the win
ming party. Amazed at the wonderful successes
achieved in city, State and nation, it would seem
judtcious for them to take few days, rest from
this harassing business or their lives before again
entering upon the arduous labors oil logrong and
wrepullng. But such Is not their nature Already
caucus and consultation occupy their time.
Buttonholtng, whispering. discussion apd sugges-
tion are witnessed around the CITY Hall aud the
different departments. Heads perfectly safe before
election now tremble in uncertainty OF of1cial
tenure. A shadow Of gloom pervades the republi-
can camp, while the democratic strongholds
bristle with new artillery and Qualifications.
THE NEW BOARD OF ALDERMEN AND ITS PREsI-
DENCY.
One Of the most important OF our charter officers
Is the President OF the Board OF Aldermen. 1t IS
position requiring great executive ability. In
cases OF emergency he Is called upon to act as
Mayor OF the city. That distinguished exile. ex-
Alderman Thomas Conan, offlciated as Mayor Of
this city at one time, and his portrait decorates
our municipal halls In consequence. Then. the
President oil the Board OF Aldermen Is also men,
ber OF the Board OF Apportonment, having
voice In the disbursement or millions
OF the peoples money. A talk with members OF
the new Board, and some OF the democratic leaders
yesterday developed the fact that the most prom
inent man for the place is Mr.. Samuel A. Lewis,
elected on the Tammany Alderman-at-Large
ticket. He Is SAID to be tue choice OF Mr.. John
Kelly, which TACT speaks strongly IN his behalf,
considering the position which that gentleman
occupies at present IN the councils OF the demo-
cratic party. Of course the republicans Will not
have much to say IN che matter. as they stand IN
q mnoriry-S to IA. The other prominent can
didates mentioned are Edward Gilon and Jonn
Riley. The latter claims the position the ground
OF length OF service in the Board. Of course there
are at least dozen OF the new organization who
claim the position on some particular ground
to De the favOrlte. Alderman Patrick Lysaght,
elected from the sixth ward. has the good sense
to keep back any claims that he might have. in
order TO advance the interests q, any other gen.
tleman whom he might consider more eligible
and better qualified candidate IN point OF educa.
YnE cLERxsHIP OF THE BOARD.
position, which carries with it considerable
influence and patronage. II ls lntlmated that Mr..
ank Frank j. Twomsy present Deputy Clerk I and Mr.
Hall General Committee, are most prominent in
the race.
EXIT BOARD OF ASSISTANT ALDERMEN
After The 1st OF January the Board OF Assistant
Aldermen ceases to exist by special act OF the
gnashng Of teeth, among the incumbents A
large number of Officials VIII thus be thrown ''ar
large" but most Of them expect to hil vacancies
unCer the new dispensation. Mr.. William H. Ma
Aldermen, has his eyes directed toward the clerk
ship Of the new Board, but the powers that be
VACANCIES IN THE BOARD.
constitutional Judge Shandiey, 1t Is said, VIII
sign as Alderman and resume ms place upon the
Of IN tDs h Z ssIaa oms mas
vacancy. The decision OF the Court OF Appeals
upon the Jusrlces' bill, it Is positively asserted.
Will be given next week.
THE CoAMssI0Ns-wHAr MAYOR ELECT wICKHAM
CAN AND MAY DO.
Mayor elect WlcKham, unuer the charter as at
present framed, has great power. 1t Is true the
Ofiices in departments and commissions all
nled for some time to come, but the Mayor has
power or removal for cause, and the Legislature.
being democratic, can remodel the charter to suit
The following are the principal departments at
present under city control:-
Finance Department, Law Department Police
Department., Department OF Public Works, De.
partment of Public Charities and CORRECTION,
Heath Department, y nn y Department Of Buildings
and Assessments, Department OF DOCKS, Excise
Department
pointing Commissioners for these departments
How this power has been abused is mat
ter OF history. charges are presented
aanl0ss @i Be ny N.Y. %icxnsms aa1y to Strictly
investigate them. After dscharglng the task the
charges and evidence Will be submitted to Gov
ernor Tilden for his action. Already there is said
TO be general cleaning up and renovation OF mis-
celaneOus account books and documents In some
OF these 0lces in anticipation OF the carrying
OF the legend. "A new broom sweeps clean.n or
course the Department OF Pubic Works, presided
the great objective point OF attack on the
part Of our new rulers. The offices and patronage
are immense, and when properly handled, the
department can grind out at least i5 coo votes for
which ever side controls Its destlnies. 1t was
suggested yesterday by an influential and intei-
gent politician tnat this department ought to be
divided up-that 1t Is too large burden to be
carried the shoulders OF one Commissioner;
that the Croton Board should be an entirely lnde
pendent bureau. There may be some philosophy
In this.
COMPTROLLER GREEN'S
term OF ONCE does not expire until the fall OF 1876
unless cut short by the Legislature or removed Tor
cause by the Mayor and Governor. What the
probabilities are IN relation to this gen tleman's
tenure OF place have not yet been developed He
ts said to have strong pull with our incoming
Governor.
TO THE vIcroRs BELONG THE sPoMs.
The incoming municipal administration cannot
ss " ~ uach upvm p,I snose WY puI ~ Oh
regards the city slate Tor official patronage. Our
ambitious ward statesmen must IN the meantime
only watch, wait and pray.
IMPRESSIVE MASONIC CEREMONY.