New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-03-02
COMMENTS ON VAN Norris RETIREMENT

THE WELCOME OF TAMMANY DEMOCRATS TO THE
NEW NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. SENTIMENT
UPON THE CHANGE.
The resignation of Commissioner Van Mort
was received late In the day that most OF the pol
ticians had left the City Hall before the fact was
known aud before it learned that Gen. Porter hau
been appointed Mr.. Van Nort's successor. A few OF
the Aldermen we're congregated In the room
of tho Clerk Of the Common Council. some
OF them were friendly to the retiring Com'
missioner they did not attempt TO conceai 'he sdt
isfaction that so important department. was now
under Democratic control. Its extensive patronage
wolld now be distributed where 1t would DO the most
good" was the comment Of With reference 10 the
appointment OF Gen. Porter the most OF those present
declined TO give an opinion preferrng to wait and sec
what he proposed do 1t evident, however, that
q member OF Tammany Hall with whom they could hod
familiar intercourse, and who would be to a certain
extent dependent on the leaders OF the party,
would have been more acceptable to them.
Al the meeting Of the Tammany Society last evening
there were gathered large numusr Of the n2noerS "
the Society to witness the initiation Of Congressman
Meade Mayor Trsphagon OF Jersey City, and others.
Among the more prominent members present were the
Mayor John Kelly Augustus scheil, CON-
missioner Forrest. Sheriff Conner and Henry
l.. Clinton All these agreed that inc
appointment OF Gen. Porter was good one, and woud
be cordially accepted by the rank ana ME OF the De
1t held tnat the
Porter nd his duties field had admirably adapted
him for the engineering work which he will be called
on TO direct Nothing said relative 10 considering
his appointment In the light OF rebuke to tue Rspuol-
Congress and officials who had refused 10 reopen ms
cas and give him hearing. The rank aud ME
OF Tammany, following the example OF the leaders were
also in their praises of the new Commissioner, so
that it il probable he Will receive a hearty support
from Tammany Hall. Several OF the lesser
Democratic politicians were OF the opinion thai
"a pronounced Tammany Hall man would he appointed
Deputy Commissioner, and the politicians could COM
municate freely with him than with Cen Porter.
who Is an utter stranger to The mass OF them lac
name Of ex-Aderman Richard Flanagan was mentioned
In connection with this position.
Among the Republicans yesterday there was q GOOD
deal Of harsh comment over the appointment. WINE
they conceded Gen. POrers ability, they thought thdt
the idea OF taking "a cashiered General who was un-
known to the mass OF the Democracy, and appointing
him to one best offices in the gilt OF the Mayor
would have rather bad effect on the country
at large. Then, agaib, 1t was claimed that
as the Democratic leaders had made q great
cutlery about home rule, IL did not well become them TO
appoint resident New Jersey TO the first important
vacancy that occurred. Senator Tobey ana other
Republicans from the country who had gathered last
evening at MasOn DOree in Unonsq 10 discuss
politics decidedly OF the opinion hat the Demo
Gratis had made a blunder in this appointment.