The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-10-10
HEADS OFF.

MAYOR wIcKHAM AND THE POLICE COMMITS
sIoNERs-HE DEMANDS THEIR sc4LPs-
vooRHIs OFFERS HIS HEAD COVERING.
When Friday afternoon the news leaked out that
Mayor wckham had sent communication to each Of
the Police Commissioners, requesting his resignation
TO be handed in great was the excitement among the
politicians Many questioned the truth OF the report
believing it too good TO be true, while others,
better informed IN political matters accepted it
curaie on every hand the Mayor was beseged by
anxious inquirers eager to learn Of its authenticity
or its untruthfulness. TO every one, however, His
Honor returned evasiye answers showing plainly by
his demeanor that the report not without some
foundation in fact Magnates OF Tammany Hall APP
peared 70 be much in the dark those outside the
pale q the wigwam. wise shake Of the head
expressive shrug ofthe shoulders generally formed their
those approaching them for confirmation Of
the
At Police Headquarters an omnous silence prevailed
Tho Commissioners remained in their respective
in a state Of semi-isolation The halls and corridors
presented appearance Of animation rarely witnessed
Each fresh arrival from the City hall down town
was quickly buttonholed and the ANXIOUS, What is
it?' put ~ a Of seekers. dozen different
rumors were ahoaL Some wscacres took it upon
themselves deny IN toto the truth OF the reports
Others asserted that the communications referred
merely TO tile charges preferred by Mr.. Twohy
against the Commissioners while others had il that
the mysterious documents were in relation to the
charges made hy Mr. Townsend the counsel or the
Assembly Investigating Committee. TO al these
theories objections we're raised None OF them fur
nshed sufficient cause for the extraordinary retcencc
maintained the part Of tie members Of the Board
Interviews with tho various Commissioners by
porters elected nothing. strict and tantalizing
silence reigned everywhere.
NEWS PROM HALL
Yesterday new lie was gwen 70 the rumors by an APP
parenty well authenticated report coming from the
Mayors Office % the effect that the letters sent % the
Commissioners 81 Police called for their unqualified
signations and that Commissioners Smith and Voorhis
had accordingly resigned 10 get at tho truth Of the
matter HERALD reporter waited On III Honor yester-
day afternoon and requested copy Of the letters
coinmunications II any had been forwarded The
Mayor admitted that he had the day
previous sent lctter Of important nature
TO each Of the Police Commissioners, but he declined
for the present giving the correspondence the press
The letter 70 General smith he stated needed emenda
ton and be felt n courtesy 70 that gentleman bound
to have Il corrected before making public. Whether
the communication was one preierring charges or
whether called for the resignation OF the members Of
the Board the Mayor would not say, but BY Monday he
thought he would he able ~ reveal their contents.
COMMISSIONER MATsELL
found in his sanctum at the Central Office, busiy
engaged in official duties When approached on the
subject by the reporter he gazed into vacancy and,
with an awful gravity, slowly answered, II have moth
ing 70 say
REPoRTER-Is il true, Mr. Matsen that you have
rendered your resignation
what tender my resignation with charges pending
himself up in his chair and showing unusual activity.
mo, sir; not J. Why. that would be a virtual adrnis-
sion that am guilty when am not No sir with
ephass) you may contradict every report that have
resigned 1 stand ready be Investigated. Forty
years Of my life have been spent IN the service Of the
city aud cannot afford for the sake Of my reputation
70 step down and out until the charges preferred by
Townsend, Twohy and everybody else are invests
gated n
mr. Matsel have you any objection to state tho
nature q the recent communication from the Mayor2"
inquired the reporter
: will ia auc Mr. t,T
ceived letter from the Mayor but il Is one which
consider solely personal II was even sent me in
an Official envelope: and, moro than that it Is
marked Personal Now cannot IN honor aiyulre
what Is and should be treated as personal III the
Mayors letter an official document would unhes
auhgiy y called upon, make y public II His Honor
chooses TO make IL public will have violated no CONF
dence; but, for my part, cannot state is nature
In answer 70 further questions Mr. Matscl would not
deny that tho communication was requesting his
resgnation neither would be admit that il preferred
charges Of an important nature. Tho entire matter he
said, rested with hs counsel
COMMISSIONER DrsBECKER
was found even less communicative than his colleague
= No, SIR be brusqucly said when approached; IL
will not give for publication copy Of the Mayors
letter % me neither Will admit that have received
letter; than that Will absolutely cay nothing On
the subject Whereupon the hero 81 The sriem bats
resolved himself into state Of sphnxsike silence.
COMMISSIONER voORHIs.
70 learn, II possible, something definite from Com.
missioner NoUrhls our reporter proceeded 70 his
quarters
generally believed that you have rendered your rosIg
nation the Mayor Ia answer to his letter Of Friday
Is this correct ~ asked the writer.
surely aughingy replied the Commissioner ~
not responsible for the stories circulated aboutme
Then You deny tho roport"
n did not say that neither deny nor admit H.
will, however say that ever since assumed the Com
mlssionership OF Police have been ready and willing
y resign ny position the momentt was ntmated that
did not give satisfaction. ! often 50 informed the
tate Mayor Hayemcyer, and the present Mayor can
bear witness q this position on my part The letteS
which received from Mayor Wlckham is consider q
/ colleagues.