The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-01
BOARD OF ASSISTANT ALDERMEN,

A MOVEMENT TO RESIST THE ABOLITION OF THE
SECOND BRANCH OF THE COMMON COUNCIL.
A special meeting Of the Board Of Assistant
Aldermen was held yesterday afternoon, President
Strack in the chair After the reading OF the min.
utes, Assistant Alderman SOmmers moved q vote
OF thanks to the press Tor the accuracy and I'M
Partially with which the proceedings were re-
ported during the year.
Assistant Alderman Clancy seconded the resolu-
luton. He desired, ON behalf OF the Board and
himself to express their thanks to the members OF
the press for the magnanimity they had shown in
overlooking great many errors which, perhaps,
through want of experience or Judgment might
have been committed.
Assistant Alderman Masterson seconded the re-
solution. which passed unanimously.
Assistant Alderman Clancy said he hoped the
Board OF Assistant Aldermen would meet on the
following day and organize to insist upon their
rights. The provisions OF the charter OF 1873
clearly set forth that the Board should not be
abolished, IN order that the errors committed in
one board might be counteracted by the other.
They had IN their experiences frequent instances
OF the DEMENT'S conferred by the existence OF the
slstant Board OF Aldermen. IL was this Board which
prevented frauds from being perpetrated on the
citizens. He trusted, therefore, that Its men,
bers would organize and select proper counsel
and proceed before the courts 10 maintain their
independence. There was well settled point In
law that those holding office must continue to
hold their positions until their successors were
appointed. IL was the duty or the members OF the
Board as the represen tatlveS or the people, to
tnat nothing uDconstiJStional was done and he
M eUpG ne saa
guard Of their own interests Having been
elected TO fill the office OF civ justice Tor tine Sec
Ond district he hoped in rendering his resigna-
ton as q MEMBER or the Board that the vacancy
thus created would be at once filled.
The formal resignation OF Assistant Alderman
Clancy was then read and accepted.
On the motion OF Assistant Alderman Heating
Mr.. John Busch was unanimously elected to I'LL the
vacancy.
Assistant Alderman Healy moved that the thanks
OF the Board be rendered to Mr.. j. p Stracs, ITS
which he had fulfilled the duties OF the Office, The
resolution passed mem. CON.
President Strack. In returning thanks, observed
that he had endeavored TO do his duty to the best
OF his ability, and II at any time HIS rulings had
not met the views of some OF the MEMBERS
Ii, indeed, any errors had been committed
by him IN deciding questions at issue,
he hoped they would be attributed more to the
aim to act mpartially He desired to impress
upon those present the absolute necessity OF
having Two branches OF tae common Councli. Tn n
members OF the Board would doubtless remember
the earnest discussion which arose In the Common
Council in connection with the American Indus
trial Exhibition affair. The sum OF So, SOC, 900 had
been voted by one Board, and had It not been for
the determined action OF the Board OF AS
sistant Aldermen s4oOoo,oOO would not event
ually have covered the loss which the
city treasury would have sustained. The
taxpayers and property owners OF New York had
good reason to thankful to the Board OF Assist
ant Aldermen for preventing many gigantic frauds
being perpetrated on the community. Although the
members OF Ihe Board were not now reelected,
there was distinct Clause which set forth that all
officers elected or appointed shOnld hold office
until their successors were elected or appointed
Under these circums tances he thought the Board
had perfect right TO reorganile, and IL the menu
bers should not be recognized by the heads of
departments there was ample relief In the courts
OF law.
on the motion OF Assistant Alderman Foley the
thanks OF the Board were rendered to Mr.. W. H.
Maoney, the Clerk and the other attaches con-
nected with the department..
A caucus WAS subsequently held when 1t was re-
solved to hold meeting OF the Board to-day, at,
which Assistant Alderman Heay Is to officiate as
the presiding officer.