The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1875-12-29
THE POLITICAL WHIRLIGIG.
SCHENING TO GET CONTROL or THE
POLICE DEPIKTnENT.


What the Custom House HinR Wish to Have
In Their Hands Pending Presidential
Election -CompIaints Before Gov. Tiiden.
Several well-known city politicians stood
In the corridor OF the City Hall yesterday dis
cussing the rumored bargain between Mayor
wickham and the leaders OF the Custom House
party, looking toward the removal OF Police
Commissioners Matsell and DlsbecKcr. and the
appointment to their places Of Col. joel B Err
hardt and Mr.. Dewitt Clinton Wheeler. No one
doubted that such bargain had been made,
and that by some means Gov. Tilden had been
drawn into 1t, but there were differences OF
opinion "a 60 how and why the deal had oeen
made. "Colloctor Arthur and Col. George Bliss
must have had hand In IT," said one. Z" That
Is clearly shown by the fact that two Custom
House politicians have been named TO succeed
Commissioners Dlshecker and Matsell."
"Col. Erh irdt has always been strong adher-
eut of the Custom House branch OF the Rcpub-
lican party, and MIR. Wheeler was formerly con-
ncctcd with tho house Of Buckley, Sheldon S
Co., who have furnished to the Government a
large amount Of Indian supplies" said one.
THAT may be so,' said another. "But Mr..
Wheeler IL a friend Of MAYOR wickham. saw
them walking down broadway, arm in arm,
few days ago"
Another though that Salem II. Wales, Presl-
dent Of the Dock Commission. was the MAYORS
agent In this Transaction. " Mr.. Wales IS a Re-
publican and the Mayor's bosom friend" said
he. "Porhaps the permission given him by the
Mayor - attack Jomutroller Green at the last
meeting Of the sinking Fund Commissioners
ulthough be Is not one - the Commis-ioners),
was the reward for his success In making the
political deal with the Custom House Ring"
collector Arthur told Commissioner Dis
becker. ON Monday" said another gentleman,
g that he had not been party To uny deal to Sc
cure his (Dsbccker's) removal, and that he
should favor the removal of head OF "A de-
partmcnt unless N WAS made for reasonable
cause. still il looks IA though the willy Collec-
tors nnger had been In the pie."
- can't see what has changed the Mayors
mind regarding Mr.; DisbecKer." said an official
VINO just then Joined the gathering. "Why.
last winter, the Mayor was continually praising
Mr. Disbcckers methodical aud economical
Indeed. he sent Mr.. D>becker to Albany to de-
feat bill for tho establishment Of "A street
cleaning dcpattmcnt, alter having himself rec
outacndt q che passage Of the blil."
\ senilsnan VINO was iurIc ly associated
Win GOV. llldcn said Yesterday that TIE Cow
crnor would not approve the removal Of any
ofliial without giyiag him q fair hearing and
e refully examining the fac's on which the
charges ngaiu-; tim were based. Taking from
his desk 2 biiutcd copy Of the Governors reply
Ia Eel ruary last to Ma'or Wlckham' s letter re-
charges against eX-Corporation unset Smith
and the Fire Commissioners were founded. he
rend those u rts uf IL I'm winch the Governor
argues that removals should be only Tor a sub
4tauu l. rca~ .uIuo. and just cause
Commissioner DiehccNyr courts the most
I
been connected VITA the Police department.
lie Ia re d. TO meet his accusers at any time bo.
| fore the GuycrnOr OF the mayor.
Mayor " ickhain, when asked In relation 10
| the truth nf the story Of lis bar,ain with the
| Custom House Ring. reuhed, II made tue
charges against the Commissioners some time
| ago, didn't Z" and then tnrusting his hands
| into his trousers pocke's. he walled away
whistling. Gov. 1ilden refused last evening to
| be quostipne !.
a nish onicer in tho city Government. who
has for many years been an Intimate, personal,
| ard political friend Of GOV. Tiden. was asked
Yesterday whether he believed that the Cover
nor had agreed with Mayo Wickham and the
Custom House Iting To remove Commissioners
| Matscll and DisOackeT. There Is no DOUBT"
| no ropiiod, that tho Mayor Ia skoasdInply
anxious to remove them. But somebody else
| has spmpthing 90 eay about that And doubt
| whether he will say ,es.
| visitor at the Police Central Ofice yesterday
| says that IN conversation he had with { mmis-
| sioner Disbecker. the latter said that Gov. Til
| den had sent Tor bin, and had informed him
| tnat he (the Governor Intended to remove him
| ana President Matsell because 1t was the desire
| Of the Kepubiicau leaders.