New-York tribune., 1874-05-08
MUNICIPAL SPOILS DIVIDED.
SECRET HISTORY OF THE REMOVAL or EX-JUDGf
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. DICTATIoN.

SECRET HISTORY OF THE REMOVAL OF EA-JUDGB
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. DICTATIoN.
The sudden removal of ex-Judge John II.
White from the Office of Attorney for the Collection of
Personal Taxes. 10 make room for Gen. Alex W.
Harvey, aud the simultaneous appointment OF Col.
Charles s. Spencer attorney 70 the Depart
ment Of Docks,-an Office merely created for
Ais occupancy-and tho retirement or Col
Spencer immediately following his confirmation, have
caused no little comment among local politicians gen
orally, and especially among the friends OF the gentle
chiefly concerned. Ex Judge White still retains
his Office and understood, declines 10 give 1t up at
The dcaton OF the Counsel TO the Corporation unless
The laws are fully compiled with. and he Is re-
moved charges OF misconduct. Mono nave
intimated that such charges are likely TO
be brought, or could maintained The
removal by the Corporation Counsel is understood
90 be based upon claim that ex-Judge White assumed
fhe position with the understanding that 1t was for
definite term only, and that that term has expired Ex'
Judge Whites friends deny this, and bring forward
many facts to show its absurdity They charge that he
A. the victim OF the CusomhOuse Ring, under whose
dictaon Dalafed Smith has acted. The following is
brief statement of the case presented by them;
The position had been held by Morris s. Miller, who
resigned Ii known for some time previously that
he intended resign and that appointment would be
made. Charles s. Spencer presented petition signed
by Collector Arthur Surveyor George H. Sharpe, United
BATES DlstTictAttOrney George Bliss, Mr LahiD the
Naval Officer Thomas Murphy, and other leading Repub
1cans OF the class. At that time he was member
the Assembly and therefore unable TO take the Office
He therefore asked ex-Judge White TO take the office
and hold II during the remainder OF his term as
Assemblyman. Col Spencer claims that Mr.. White ac-
tepted the office those conditions. Mr. White main
that he distinctly refused 10 do and that there
no misunderstanding on the subject between him
and Mr. Smith, the Counsel to the Corporation He was
shereupon appointed permanently; and his subsequent
conduct n the Office showed that he did not look upon
~ a rIa pfrflA
che Office in confined quarters, and in a chaotic
ftae owing to lack Of rOom he therefore removed to
present Office at No. 237 Broadway, and reduced
things a system. In removing the books and papers
many value to the city could not be founc He
aet Office for which he has pald rent up TO the
1s' Of the present month and assumed resp9ni
business. He had got the business well established
brief no;e from Col Spencer handed in his door by a
messenger, Curtly requesting him TO retire from his
Office, the session OF the Legislature hal closed The
gave ex-Judge Wnlte until the following day TO
withdraw. On Monday, Mr.. White went 70 his Office,
there found letter from l.. Deateld Smith inform
ing him nearly terms, that he had been
stead On inquiry lie found that Col Spencer had been
gwen position OF Attorney to the Dock Commission
nj a salary $1,000 and important Corporation cases
which would prove as valuable as the salary OF the o
most Immediately found that be had been victmized
and that he had got office for which there was no ap
preparation He got indignant aud resigned; but 1t
counsel IN Corporation cases TO repay Nun Tor ms
public affairs not the private property
Of political cliques farmeo out for party pnr-
poses and that to the Corporation has no
right TO put III ana out OF important positions at tue
behests the CustomhOusc and he has therefore, de-
terminod 10 remain in his Office unless legally removed.
Since Jan. rs, than $4,000 have been collected
this office and turned into the Clty treasury
1t an important office; many difficult questions arise
which have 10 be settled IL Is OF great Importance 10
the city revenue. though IN the old Rug days IL was
made close corporation for the collection chiefly oi
EXJudge Whites friends claim that Cen Harvey has
attained httle legal reputation practice since coming
here from Buffalo He has been engaged chiefly as a
and hIs application for appointment to the posi-
tion attorney for the collection or personal
taxes supported almost solely by the Custom
house They also say that ex-Judge Whites re-
mova has been dictated by Controller Green on ac-
count OF the formers advocacy OF the Riverside
improvements EAJudge White owns considerable
property an the vicinity of the Riverside Park, which he
alleges be bought simply on the recommendation OF Mr.
Greens report when Park Commissioner, and Is
naturally anxious TO IL improved; but Mr. Green
became very hostile HIM for advocating the very n-
provements winch himself had formerly suggested.