New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-08-11

grow better II Commissioners Smith, instead OF induging
conduct OF his coea CUES will cooper ate In purns the
department OF corruption and dishonesty Nothing mas
boon brought out by the Committee on Crime which
shows that the present Board has been inaenve 10 inc
and noPe that nat SS nr - psce ;" thor
0uShly purify the force.
COMMISSIONER SMITHS EXPLANATION.
Commissioner smith then in q low tone Of voice. said
that he had promised the questions put 70 him.
but before doing would say that he did not state
nor did he intend by implication 10 say. that there was
not honest conscientious the force, for ne
thought there good men in all grades. With regard
TO the rules which had been the OF the persona
ties he desired say that the rules first banded In
June 4, and had been worked at in Committee on
Rules and Discipline. where they were discussed and
fought by the President with urbanity and ability until
July ., when they passed the Board. The matter was
before the Committee for month and there was time
for the members TO have obtained all the opinions neces
sary that nothing should have stood in the when
the report presented. The Board should not have
LEFT him in such position by voting for rules which the
members went 10 work 70 get undOne as they had
been passed On Tuesday last he brought up the ques-
ton of the assignment OF the Inspectors to duty, but tho
matter referred to the Committee on Rules and
Discipline. He could well imagine q single mem
Of the Board or three members upon
making examination Of the rules after they had been
passed. finding defects that should be amended At the
Board meeting Thursday he found the three other
members assembled. They said that thoy had no time
then TO amend the rules hut they were ready 10 reeVe
the Superintendent by suspending the rules which had
been passed July 2. He had right to consider such
of action OF union In hostility, and against
him personally When the following morning he re-
ceved positive orders call the Committee on Rules and
Discipline together and then found other rules had
introduced OF which he had previously known MOTH
ing. and that these rules pushed through stead
lastly in the space OF 2 hours he had the right to
accept that clear proof OF hostile elements ing Deeh
combined hn He had never said that there was
any combination against interests OF the city, but
when he found any such thing against himself he should
quiet should denonce 1t and break 1t up II ne
could with this explanation he would proceed w all
swer Commissioner Dsbeckers questions.
sCHEMING BY COMMISSIONER DIsBFCKER.
On several occasions after the election OF Treasurer
Mr. Disbecker TO him with remarks about Mr. voo
his that were tar friendly mtmGtng that he was
DO trusted. and that no to be despsed az
Commissioner and On every occasion Mr. Dis
becker would assert that he would have no hesitation In
saying the thing to Mr. Voorhss face. IL Is not
my intention, continued Gen Smith, by these remarka To
put Mr. Voorhs Ia the position of despse' man. for
cannot how lie could have been so placed ana my
own actions show that l never held that opinion
OF HIM These conferences with Mr.. Disbecker
were unsought by ME. bat an endeav0r Was
made to prejudice my mind against Commis
sioner VOorhis. II that was the intent, am happy
to say that the effort successful On several oc
impossible for to with tho others 80 LETT the
room TO enable the Committee indulge IN conversation
more freely Whenever sent for always returned Ihe
next day after OF these meetings Ar DsbecAer cao
into my and stated things which, as did not re-
gard them as being in confidence will now repeat He
said that after the Mayor had sent for President Mase
he atseln told the Commssioners-but he did not tell
me-that the Mayor had said that lie must vacae the
Presidential chair he would tk0 means TO cause him
70 vacate his office Commissioners Mr. Dsbecfer then
said that he would vote FOR ME as President nut ne
wanted il to be understood that he did not consider me
better man. or fitted for the office He added, how
ever that as 7 looked upon IA nominally from the
Navor who was the representative o. the party in the
ascendant he would vote for told MI DisbecEcr
that had already word 10 the Mayor that would
not accept tho Presidency, and that II Mr. Matsell
were to resign would not accept the office under any
circumstances MI Dsbecker said that he had endcaVored
TO seek my confidence, with desire OF cooperation,
but always had held arms length but he would
then say if would 80 he would support me-pro-
vidng that my measures met his approval-f would
only pull the papers of him. This was the price oi
cooperation. to meet with support from MI DIS
becker 80 long as my system approved and WAS to
pull the papers of The price not high. hut could
not afford pay 1t. When found that the other mem
beers of the Board arsyed against me- and heard
Mr. DisbeckeT's expression Of his views. could only
look upon their action illustrating That not only could
majority govern, but they could DO IL ID hh offensive
and unpleasant way
REPLIES FROM TIE MEMBERS OF TIE BOARD
Commissioner Dsbecker said that reading the news
papers he found that he was accused OF demanding
price, and he thought the expression E" to pull off the
papers," was no explanation
Commissioner Smith-That WAS what you said. or
words TO that effect.
Commissioner Disbecker said It could possibly be,
as he did not that time. and did recognize 1t to
DE in power Of any to pull Of or put on the
newspapers He had heard 1t stated that Cen Smith
was often consultation with an editor OF newspaper
which had attacked him wben u c0ud nave Dtch ct'cr
employed. That newspaper had always gwen Ten.
smith it's support He did not want 10 bc placed III
false position, ana the word price was cipabc oI
many interpr tatons The explanation was very in
genOus but having fully expressed his views before he
did not wish 70 enter INTO amy further controversy
President Matsei said that true at he had been
other Commissioners the Mayor had found fault
with all the Commissioners except Cen smith ana tha
he wanted smith for President He haseiD bowed
himself OF the Mayors presence knowing tnat II
rested with the Board TO choose lls OWL fese aie
InssOnors for he Thought Gen smith WAS Interested ana
GOOD reason t0 think 80. with regard any bond be-
tween tno Commissioners, That ne alphabetically denied
The minutes would show that had often vol single
M" against resolutions offered by ali tnc Commits
siOners A. 10 tue COlAnltt,e meeting on frhiy, ,he
resolution passed III the Board to call e Committee
Commissioner smith, was directed to call it,
Preside al Matsoll-l tLnH tne word was requested
Commissioner smith, think not; bat have no oHjec-
ton 70 the word "
President Mdtseli-fOu ioiI tne D"aIu 'p'uP'y' uiu
you mott
Commissioner smith, ala.
President Matsell-rhen have nothing more TO say
Commissioner NOOrhis said that no had fully dlsCiancd
any existing bond saturday last, but lie though. II
wei, explain what cen smith mad referred 10 a. haste
in the adoption ~ the amendments IL was necessary
that the rules existence should he PrOmui gated 10
the force Commissioner smith had dsdvOwtd the riuc-
passed Saturday The spcaker mad not the originals
of those which presented by Gen smith Ia the Com
ntlee ia June. but mad copy OF those winch were
adopted Juy ?, and there were only four cndmfns
of LAOr Importance. Ilc main th!nS WAS tAc transfer
OF the offices The First ana second District Inspectors
IN buildings outside OF the Central Once Inls Transfer
COMMISSIONER NOOrs never approved but had accepted
the VIII 81 the maj ,rity Upon further consdc ration
two other Commissioners dis.pprOycd OF the Transfer,
and he thought II good Opportunity to press hs own
dIslLL In. 81 e.