The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-03-02
N ] n ICIPAL CHI A N G rs.
Resignation Of Commissioner George NJ.
Van Mort as COMMISSIONS.
Of Public Works.
FITZ JOHN PORTER HIS SUCCESSOR.
Correspondence Between the Mayor and
Mr.. Van Mort
HIS RECORD IN THE DEPARTMENT.

The rumors that have been 90 rife during the
past two weeks relative to the retirement OF
George NJ. Van Mort from the position Of Com.
missioner OF Public Works crystallzed yesterday
In his resignation from once and the appointment
OF General Filz John Porter as his successor. The
resignation OF Mr.. Van Mort had In measure been
anticipated during the day py the politicians but
most OF them seemed TO be considerably at sea as
to who the new Commissioner would be. Many
believed that either George W. De Forrest, Arthur
Leary or some other prominent Tammanyite was
destined to be the coming man. But few compare
lively, put any faith IN the rumor that the place OF
honor was reserved for General Porter. Althoughit
was quite late In the day when the Mayor received
Mr. Van Nort's letter OF resignation and appointed
his successor, there was quite number OF the
Aide men and other politicians in the City Hall
who remained down town longer than usual with
the hope Of learning exactly what was to be done
by the Mayor. There was considerable excite
ment manifested all round when the news finally
leaked out, and, judging from the expressions
made use OF as well by the louhgers who hold
public once as by those who hope to very soon,
the appointment OF General Porter was not well
come one. ON receiving his appointment General
Porter was at once sworn in by the Mayor. When
asked when he would take charge OF the
Department OF Public Works he said that he
would go to work Immediately to-day. Although
1t is pretty certain that many changes will be
made in the department as soon as the new Com.
missioner gets his hand IN, he had not as yet, he
said, determined upon appointing his chief deputy;
and Is the general belief that the present deputy
Mr.. E. p Barker hold over II he feels inclined.
However, 1t Is quite probable that he too VIII re.
sign. Mr.. Van Mort and Mr.. Barker 1t may be
satd have been associated together in the Depart.
ment of Parks and Works for upwards OF eighteen
years.
Mr.. Van Mort was appointed December &c. 1871,
to the position he has just vacated. He was
Secretary of the Park Department in 1858, and
was made Comptroller OF 1t in 1870 being sue
ceeded as Secretary by Mr.. Barker. Previous to
his connection with the Park Department he held
Comptroller, and was Deputy Clerk in the Le9ls.
lature. The following Is the correspondence be-
tween the Mayor and Mr. Van Nort:-
MR.. VAN NoRr's LETTER OF RESIGNATION:
Hon WILLIAM II. wIckuAx Mayor Of the city Of New
y H. OF fspo %oses
charged The duties Of Gomm INF e: ..1u.
time into the oee are too well known need
Succession Of NJ Tweed Mr. Green sppolnssd the
the OF ike both Sas these
M"ySr mn was M Ss ss
heads OF three Of the most important departments of the
record viii shSM how far have csrrlsa
Ssiorm which Ssmanasd y the tsxpayers q sai:
ana accepted by Mayor Hall in his last important
and same time only but promote its
ssiis1sstory results shown have been &C.
has characterized the CITY during
period.
S
have tailed to receive that When shs
public interest seemed to require leaving to me alone
for the beneficial working Of this branch OF The city
All the legislation that has been procured the de.
partment has been without expense to the city
has elapsed since You became CHER masstraIe Of the
S s s A sh Sq subjects
@ a ths Hp rave
discussed with you the subjec! OF repavements and sub
provide Tor putting the payepents IN condition
on reasonable and equitable basis OF expense to the
fhsye also made known to you the wants of the city
10 urnshing an ample supply Of Croto1 water atsyer
without whica the system Of mains already LAID and BE-
within the as Of the city Of
an unlimited supply throughout the lower par: of the
although sufficient time may have elapsed since
you assumed the duties Of your oice for act
party dominant the city and state, being at
neni with me at its head with the power c
carry forward such works to completion. such being
the case it would be grave injustice the taxpayers
would In any suffer.
Recognizing. did year SINCE that with the lack of
harmony existing i'll the city government embarrassing
ana hinderng the prosecution of public improvements
o which the city committed and which
property owners had paid large amounts in
and considering that harmonious and tho
Interests OF the taxpayers should be the paramount
thought and duty OF every official minated my nten
ton Of resgnlng my office and only upon the earnest
solicitation OF such taxpayers did consent to remain.
After much thought and careful consideration have
decided that rather than continue in office under
lbs
OF term TO rest upon the results already
compished. therefore DO hereby resign the office of
Commissioner Public Works to take effect upon the
accession OF my successor, and am very respectfully,
GEORGE N. VAN MORT.
THE MAYORS REPLY.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
NEw YORK, March l. 1879 !
Hon. GEORGE NJ VAN koRr.
DEAR sIR-l have receive your communication OF this
date. submitting CONDENSED statement OF the ransac