New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-01-04
MUNICIPAL CHANGES.
DEPARTMENTS WHICH NAY LOSE THEIR
HEADS

FyIE FIRE COMMISSIONERS GIVEN SHORT RESPITE
RrynoRs REGARDING TnE CORPORATION COUNSEL
-rHR OPPOSITION TO THE CONTROLLER IN
CRRAsING-rHE POLICE COMMISSIONERS SAFE
.What changes will be made by the new
Mayor in the various Departmental Is the question
asked by nearly every politician or course, 1t is known
that nothing be done without the approval OF INC
Governor is believed that there is an understand
ing between Gov. Tilden and Mr. wiekham. and that
such changes as Mayor Wickham deems desirable ana
ran give good for making will be aequiesceu III
by the Governor There 70 be no reason TO DOUBT
that tho Fire Commissioners will be removed OUT pop
bly, there will be delay. The report Oh TUG
Commissioners Of Accounts lie very 'o'un
mons document and the Mayor has not So'
had time 10 give it the caretui eo"'' 1",
ton which It deserves. Then the Commissioners nus
be afforded an opportunity 10 reply to the ehF "U
against them 80 II is most likely that there VIII DC
change in the Fire Commissioners during th's wen
since the publication Of Mayor Vdnce's eommuuica-
lion 10 the Corporation Counsel, complaining OF the
manner IN which certain classes OF cases were assigned
10 specia counsel the powers of the Corporation
ounse delegated to them. instead Of their being con
suced by the Corporation Counsel his subordnates,
attention has naturally been attracted TO the Law De
pertinent. The head Of this department welds vast
deal Of power and under the system which has grown
up Of voting large contingent funds from
which to pay special counsel lie has
pf money with scarcely check on its expenditure In
the estimates sent in to the Board OF Estimate and APP
roronment the amount demanded for salaries Tor the
Corporation Counsel and his assistant and employees
81 $50 while the amount asked for contingencies 10
be expended IN counsel and attorney fees, witness
fees court disbursements aud other items was S5OCO
This was subsequently cut down by the Corporation
Counsel 10 sl50COO and the Board Of Apportionment
allowed 500 600 for this purpose. Special counsel are
nomiualy employed in certain cases where their special
knowledge is Of especial value. II is charged however
that have been farmed out TO political favonteS
and others which could just well have been conducted
by head OF the Law Department and his assistant
Among those who have been employed TO conduct cases
OF minor importance exSpeaker James ". Hustei,
Smith E. Weed, Charles s. Spencer and OK Recorder
James NJ Smith 1t Is said that this alleged abuse Of
the prcrogatves Of the Corporation Counsel will be 10
estigated as pressing matters are dis
posed Of.
There is no question bat that formidable movement
foot against the prolonged STAY Of the Controller
in the Department OF Finance II is asserted that
he greater peril than any time siuce he entered
the duties OF the Office Previous the contest for
supremacy in the Tammany Society last Spring the
Controller possessed the support Of those who had
known him in early political rfc including such men rs
John Kelly, Tomas BOesG, Edward j. DOnuely, ana
others OF prominence. Mayor Wickham never
Admror OF the Controller but not actually hostile
TO him 10 now asserted that during the closing day
of the Legislature. when the Tlmmany members
working successfully to prevent the removal Of the Con
trOcr py un1iendiy legislation, he really acquies
cling IN the movement of Nelson Waterbury, John Y
Savage, ex-Judge CardOzo. john j, Bradley, Geo. H.
P0rser Charles G. Cornell and others. get control Of
the Tammany Society, and by oyerthrOwng john Kelly
and ms suppOrerso reconstruct the General Committee
Knowing that the movement a direct attack on
Kelly. the night Of the annual erection, when every
vote anxionsy sought for by both sides he did not
even take tie trouble 70 co 10 inc meeting ana NOte
against Waterbury and his pdr.v II Is further alleged
that lie opposed 10 the proceedings viii h were
taken against Police Commits lucrS Charlck ana Gard
courts aud which resulted Ia their conviction
and enforced resignation that he made combinations
with the Custom house r publoans In order 10 retain
and the late Mayor HaYcmryer Messrs. WhttemoTe,
TantOr, and Savage, all OF whom hold positions under
the Conttor d"Voed their energies 10 e. deaVor TO
IDJmc Mt. n lily ana the l'lnTnnN ORGANIZATION IN Ihr
preparation OF charges " various kinks. All these
things 1t is argued 10 prove that While the Con
trOller nOmlndlly friendly 10 Mr.. Kelly, he
was really dOing his best TO Hiurc him. Under these
II is urged that the Controller cannot
peel receive any support from Ttmmany Hall or
those who :et aided bn politically. IL is known mat
he pGo;ese"f GOV Tdtn, ana bat he has been for
hong with the latter Poll
hcans do b, h,vc tnat thus fren isp is sufficiently
strong to Induce thc Governor 10 MUl1uld ms cons NJ
his removal II Is not believed that Mayor WiCkhdm
would the Controller for political reasons alone.
The OF the Controller by all OF s associates in
The Board OF AlpOrt has elected great deal
comment il asserted that something viii be
done 10 ming vacancy In the Finance Department,
the Mayor II understood VIII be governed more by
the capacity and integrity OF candidate than his polli
cal standing.
There viii be no change in the Police Commission for
umc II az all. Tie Board Will be iuadc nODparti-
san. II turrO is change. Mayor Witkham, John
Kelly, and all The prominent Iaminauy Democrats are
committed 10 Tins policy. T"ese were tho views eX
ttdi Committee ia TImmIny Hall and on other Oeca
siJns