The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-03-04
THE MUNICIPAL CHANGES.
The Tammany Men and General Porter's
Appointment.
TIE PATRONAGE OUTLOOK.
No Disagreement Between John
Kelly and Wickham.
THE SACHEMS' VIEWS.

The appointment Of General Porter to the Com
nlssi0nership ofPnblic Works continued yesterday
to be the chief topic OF conversation among the
politicians throughout the city. The theories which
were advanced in regard to the causes which had
operated to bring about his selection for this I'M
portant post were as numerous as they were
varied. Each aud every man who professed to
have any authority or knowledge on political mat
tors had different theory to advance. There,
however, appeared to be preponderance OF
opinion that General Porter had been APP
pointed by Mayor Wickham on account OF
the influence which had been brought to bear
upon him by Messrs. Barlow and Belmont and
pther members OF the Manhattan CLUB. General
Porter, too, being member OF ihis organization
It was said. had through his personal acquaint-
ance with the Mayor in social matters, SO ingra-
tiated himself with the head Of the Municipal gov.
Drnment as TO have needed but little persuasion
10 bring about his appointment. 1t was the pri-
vatey expressed opinion on all sides tnat Gen.
eral Porter had been selected and appointed with
put any consultation with John Kelly or other
members OF
THE TAMMANY ORGANIZATION.
In fact, 1T seemed to be the universal idea
among the democratic politicians who are
members OF Tammany that the Mayor had
consulted with no Tammany man in reference
come firmly seated in the Mayoralty chair he was
inclined 10 ignore all those who had assisted In
placing him there and that he meant to exercise
his already expressed determination to he no
mans man.
There were, again, others who argued that the
appointment OF General Porter was merely q mat
Ter which had been conceded by Tammany Hall as
l personal qualification TO Mayor Wicknam, on the
understanding that the organization should have
be left the selection of persons TO I'll the different
OfIices and subordinate positions which viii have
to be vacated by those now in place.
General Porter himself go far has given no init.
nation TO what changes he Is to make. He
states that. before making any removals or ap-
pOlntments, he desires 10 look around ana ac-
quaint himself with the ways and duties or his
new ONCE. He seems to be inclined to be very
non-commitral to every inquiry put to him and
unwilling to give any Information as to his inten-
lions. THIS perhaps, Is not to be wondered at
nnder the circumstances.
THE NEW DEPUTY.
Mr.. E. P. Barker, the Deputy Commissioner
OF Public Works, Will, it is understood,
however, resign in a lew days. Rumor
Is rife as to who his successor will
be, and all day yesterday the Aldermen and
others who are anxious that some Tammany man
well known TO the democratic politicians gen.
orally should be appointed expected that the
name Of the coming man would be made public
At one time 1t was stated that the deputy was in
reality TO be an army oficer, old friend OF Gen.
eral Porter; but no foundation existed for the
statement II is now understood that Mr.. Barker
will tender his resignation before the END of the
week. Yesterday, at noon, Mr.. Van Mort visited
his old office, and, by appointment, met General
Porter and the heads OF the various bureaus Of
the department, whom be severally introduced
to the new Commissioner. 1t may be said that
although 1t is claimed by General Porter's friends
that he is and has been resident OF this city Tor
some time, some Of the politicians are yet doubt
hui about the matter. At any rate in order that
no non resident shall hereafter be appointed to
any position in the city government, to-day the
ordinance prohibiting the holding Of ONCE in the
city ny non-resdens, which Is now on nle, will be
called up and passed by the Board OF Aldermen.
1t Will be remembered that this ordinance was
passed some time ago, but was recalled from the
Mayor because 1t was understood that he intended
to veto 1t, as the Corporation Coun-
sci had given it as his opinion that
zach head OF department was the sole
legal judge OF all the qualifications Of his subordi-
mates. II the Mayor should veto 1t after being
again passed 1t is claimed that 1t Will be easily
passed over his veto. '.lf we can't get home rule
one way" SAID one OF the Aldermen yesterday,
ave Will get 1t some other way"
SHERIFF CoNNER's VIEWS.
Sheriff Conner, in speaking OF the appointment
OF General Porter said :"I know but little OF the
new Commissioner. He has never taken any part
in city politics and is not member OF the Tam
many organization. think he IS a member OF the
Manhattan Club, and the reason OF his selection
tor this important Office is due In a great measure
to the personal friendship that exists between
MIN and the Mayor, as well as from the fact that
he was strongly pushed by Messrs. Barlow and
Belmont, whose names are on his bOnd.<1n
TACT, the appointment may be looked upon
as having been secured by the Manhattan Club.
| think MIR. Kelly was not consulted in the matter
at all, aud 1t seems TO me that the Mayor acts, or
has acted, all his appointments on his own judg
ment, and without regard to Mr.. Kelly or any Of
the Olher members OF the democratic party who
are members OF Tammany Hall. The general lee-
Ing so far as can judge, in that organization 49,
that there are many men well known IN the COM
munlty who might nave been selected VINO would
have filed all the requirements, and who would
have been more generally approved oil on all sides.
paratively unknown as General Porter. have a
great sympathy lor him on account or mis- having
been, In my opinion, uniustly cashlered from the
army; ana there is somewhat OF the same sentl-
ment prevailing throughout the party, but that Is
no reason why he should he placed IN
POLITICAL POSITION
such as this. l 90 not know what business Gen.
era Porter Is IN. He resides, ! understand, IN
Jersey City. but has an once in this city.
The idea seems to be prevalent that he is
merely to act as Commissioner, and that
the nomination OF his deputy Is to be left In the
hands OF the laminanY organization. The deputy
chosen is III turn to be a man, 1t ~ SAID, WHO viii
be well known to and who Will know AL the poll
tlcians OF the democratic party who nave helped
to secure the late victory. and who. from this
reason, VIII be allowed to make MS own n0mina-
lions to the various Offices To be hlied Beyond
this | say but lttle, for l have paid
out little attention to political matters
lately. IL may. however. state tnat so far as nave
been able to understand the lacts from cOnvers-
ing with the members OF the General Committee
there appears to be general apathy In regard TO
general POrhr's appointment IN view OF the iact
mat 10 has been given out that each district VIII
&c iully recognized when appoint tents are maze
30 the subordinate positions, and That The recon-
mendations OF the district committees will be sure
10 be recognized.
JOHN KELIY's OPINION.
Mr. John Kelly, IN re erring TO the appointment,
SAID :-''ln my opinion the selection OF General
Porter for the Office OF Commissioner OF Puolic