The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-08-11
COMMISSIONER OF JURORS CON
TEST.
THE CASE BETWEEN COLONEL DUNLAP AND MIR.
DOUGLAS TAYLoR--oUR JURY sYsTEM--RoU-

THE CASE BETWEEN COLONEL DUNLAP AND MIR.
DOUGLAS TAYLon--oUR JURY sYsTEM--Rou-
TINE DUTIES.
The question who is entitled to the position of Com
missioner of Jurors is likely to occupy tho alton
ton Of our courts, that Mr.. Taylor has arrived
home from Europe. A suit must be commenced by the
Attorney General in the OF the State for the pur
pose Of determining whether Colonel Thomas Dunlap
the late oppointcc Mr. Douglas Taylor the proper
party perform the functions of this important Office
Colonel Dunlap was nominated for Commissioner Of
Jurors by Mayor Wickham and confirmed by the Board
OF Aldermen. At this time Mt Taylor the previous in
cumbcnt of tho Office absent in Europe and did
return until Monday last Tho latter gentleman pro-
poses to contest the validity Of the appointment He
argues that under the charter Of 1873 no power is
lodged in the hands of the Mayor to nominate his sue
ccssor
Notwithstanding these mpedlmcnts Colonel Dunlap,
an influential Tammany politician has slipped quietly
into the chair OF Mr. Taylor and there found com
fortaby cnsconccd yesterday by representative of tho
HERALD The Colonel has held several important pub
lie Offices having been Collector Of city revenue for
several years He feels that his position mprcgnable
md cannot be ovcrthrown. when he received his an
pontincnt Mr. Casper G. Childs who acted Ms Mr. Tav-
ors deputy and conducted the business during that gen
cmans absence in Europe vacated tho Office leaving all
INNN'NSlVH
pontcc. Mr.. Gunthcr X. Alderman, formerly clerk
in the Finance Department has been selected for Dep
uiy Commissioner and he yesterday pointed out tho
section in .thc charter Of 1873, under autho-
rity of which Colonel Dunlap ap-
pointed He cited the case Of Mr. J. NJ.
Varnum, lawyer Of this city who was nominated for
the place in 1873 by Mayor Invcmeyor, the prcsump
ton that Mr.. Tayior's torn had expired. The
sent in to tho Board Of Aldermen who failed to confirm
Pending the matter Of confirmation the opinion of the
Corporation Counsel was asked who decided that such
appointment was perfectly valid.
Thus stands The case at present The routine work OF
the office progresses with the usual regularity SO far
and up late hour yesterday afternoon Colonel Dun
lap had not been ntcrfcrcd with by any legal steps Mr.
Taylor might think necessary TO nauguratc Deputy
Commissioner Alderman lucdly explained the opera
tons OF the office. ON the first Monday of next MONTH
according To tho laws OF tho State the names of those
who 10 act grand jurors for the ensuing year arc
selected, and II is the duty of tho Commissioner OF
Jurors 10 summon those gentlemen. All the petit
jurors for tho various courts also summoned each
month from this office II therefore discharges some of
the most important of our municipal functions BY
statute a Board has been created for the selection OF
grand irpors. This Board consists Of the Mayor, Re
cOrdcr CITY Judge, Chief Justice OF the Court Of Com
mon Pleas and Chief Justice OF the Superior Court The
Commissioner Of Jurors acts rs clerk 10 tho Board.
Tho following notice is now being sent out by Colonel
Dunlap 10 persons liable for jury duty
Cry AYD County or NEw YoRK. ss--r,ry Enrolment
NoiYou arc hereby notified appear before on or
before the - dav Of - 1877 hetween ton aud four