The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-17
The Office-Seekers Still Clam
oring for Place.
THE DEPARTMENTS TO BE REVOLUTNNIzED.
The "Approva" Power Of the Governor To Be
Abolished and the Confrmatory Power
To Be Restored to the Aldermen.
GREEN IN A FURRY.

Active hencnmen Will from this out oend tneir
whole energies TO the accomplishment OF the re-
form policy OF makln thorough change IN all the
departments. Thus far the politicians who have
not been let into the secrets OF the leaders nave
felt no little chagriu over what they call the diLy-
dallylug OF Mayor Wickham. Had they their own
way, or did the Mayor give need TO their desire 10
nnd vacancies IN every commission 10 be hlled oy
themselves, not one OF the heaos OF departments
now in power would have lasted beyond the nrst
week OF the new administration. 1t cannot be de-
MED but that the smaller order OF the genus poll
sician have already brought every possible innu'
snce to bear upon the Mayor to urge him TO
make
CLEAN SWEEP
but he has, thus far. given the anxious ones ous
nttle hope, preferring probably 10 go slowly ana
purely than by haste to commit blunder. twas,
by the way, a rather sharp reply that the Mayor
gave to one OF these urgens, which has occasioned
so much talk in political circles about threat
ened row between him and Grand Sachem Kelly.
81 propose to do my duty as Mayor" said ne 'and
when want advice will ask Tor It," The story
was that this rather independent laying down OF
the law had been addressed TO Mr.. Kelly; but such
l. not the fact and therefore all the rumors that
have prevailed during the week OF GOODNESS be
tween the two are rumors simply and nothing
more. Many OF the small politicians, neverthe-
less, who have In times past considered IL part
Of their high privilege as city egis aiors not only
10 advise the Mayor, but to tell him ir he did not
follow their suggestions in certain matters 1t would
be ''all upn with him, are already in q growing
mood because they ar not taken into the counsels
OF the new regime; but, as their moods and lenses
were never very damaging TO auybod! in the past,
IL is hardly possible that their grumblings now
will interfere IN any way with the working OF the
city government. Had the Mayor IN his gift two
or three hundred onices, ranging in value from
$500 to $500 year, he could doubtless very
easily satisfy the cravings OF these hungry ones
who have been out IN the political cold so long;
but as be mas not he has found himself day after
day during the week pestered hall to death by
yeekers after once, every one OF whom thinks
that because he folded democratic tickets on the
night before election or had charge OF box where
democratic tickets were gwen ont, he IS entitled
to be made commissioner OF some kind, and that,
just 10 oolige him, the Mayor should turn some
republican out, right or wrong.
POSSIBLE OBSTACLE
During the week there has been but little that
was OF interest to the public in the doings and
sayings Of the new powers that be. The excile-
ment over the Senatorial question and the illness
oil the Mayor for the past three Gays partly &C
count Tor the general dulness; but IL is pretty
certain that the real hitch in the way OF any
sudden moves against suspected Commissioners
by the Mayor is the condition In which the case OF
Corporation Counsel Smith now rests. Until Mr..
Smith is out OF the way 1t Is deemed advisable BY
some OF the leaders, so 1t is sad not to show their
hands 10 other words, IL is given out that charges
have been drawn up against Commissioners in
neatly every department, which, II Endorsed as
Migrant violations oil law by the democratic Cor.
poration Counsel when he is asked for his opinion
about them, will have all the more force with the
public and pave the way to their speedy removal
But new dIriculty In this matter seems to have
suddenly risen, IKE ghost TO irighten the
licved that, no matter what his answer
might be, MI Smith would resign; indeed. he Is
said TO nave stated that If the Mayor wanted his
place he ~ ould give 1t TO him Win pleasure; but
It would appear that an immense pressure has
been brought TO bear upon HIM by republicans to
stand by MS colors to the end, and not give up
until the responsibility Tor his removal Is taken
by the Mayor and Governor. This pressure was
brought about alter Mr.. smith mad announced
that nls answer would be such complete retuta-
lion OF all the charges made against MIN that he
who runs may read. 1t Will then be seen that II
TINS answer should be OF sucn character as to
give the Mayer no Justification Tor cause" as
the cnarter has II, Tor his removal, Mr.. smiths
remaining In office would be quite stumbling
block IN the way OF the new authorities. Gow-
whether ne dlsproves the charges against h,m or
not. ne VIII step down ana out rather tpan mold
an Office which possibly by every ingenuity OF his
political opponents would be rendered uncomfort.
able, not To say dangerous.
WHEELS WITHIN WHEELS.
There are those VINO in a position to
be able 10 speak with some authority on the SUBJ
1eCt VINO that any changes tnab can be made
in the pc, sonnet Of the various departments by
amendments TO the city CHARTER Will be made,
rather tnan TO have the Mayor go through the
formula Of prelerring charges against TINS and
That one VINO may pc in the way. TO this end, 1t
Is sard. various amendments 10 the CHARTER are
now being prepared wnlCn Will revoutlOnZe all
the commissions. In the Il st place, II IS intended
10 have repealed that part OF the charter winch
requires the Governors approval OF every removal
oil head or member OIL department. made Oy the
Mayor before the removal becomes regal Another
Is 10 restore to the Board OF Aldermen the
cOQQrmatOrV
by the Mayor TO I'LL vacancies. These two
amendments are heartily approved by Governor
Iilden; but there one oficeholcer IN this city
VINO Is dead set against the first, and That Is Comp
Hosr Green. AND Just mere 1t may be mentioned
that his opposition TO the proposition, when ne
nrst ascertaned curing the week that al effort
is really 20 be made TO axe away the approval"
power OF the Governor, gave rise TO some queer
stories. 1t is a known TACT that he and John Kelly
are OUT that the latter Will have nothing to 90
with him ana IS determined That Mr.. Green snail
be mace retire to private life before the Legls-
lature adjourns. No one now knows THIS better
than Green himself, and so when he got wind or
the plan by winch his only nope OF remaining IN
cffice (which lies his Deliel that Governor TIL
den, as the present charter stands. might not APP
prove his removal Dy the Mayor II the latter
should remove MINI, he and his friends put their
heads together ana made up their minds TO 20
10 WORK at once TO mead OF the proposed
amendment. And their plan was a regular double
header. They hoped TO enlist Mr.. Wickbam on
the amendment talked OF looking 10 the restora.
ton OF tue conGrmatory power to the Board OF
actually made 20 MIN, and tue report was dill
gently circulated mat Mr.. WicKnam was greatly
incensed at Mr.. Kelly because the latter des red 20
restore TO the Aldermen heir old powers; That he
looked upon the act as personal Insult himself.
But all TINS did not avail for greatly 10
THE SURPRISE or Mr. GREEN
aud his friends the Mayor took occasion 10 say In
the FALL Ia the presence OF several politicians,
that he believed that 10 was true democratic doc.
trine that the Aldermen should nave the conirma-
tory power. mus euchred In his endeavor 70 form
\ Combination Green is now doing his best 10
induce Governor Illden TO oppose the proposed
amendment when takes away rom him (the Gov
Of q
kIoregone conclusion, although his friends say that
he nas influence enough with the Senate 10 nave
me amendment Killed. However, as the ZAP
proyal feature OF the charter was plastered on TO
IL AZ a time when there was republican Gov
ernor IL is not generally believed That the repuD-
ncan senators VIII maze any very strenuous OPP
uosItion 10 It's repeal The amendment, par ercet-
ience, however, wulch, as mas afeady Deeb lnli-
fnlsslons Is one wncn looks 10 me legislatinR out
OF Office OF all the present commissioners, anu CIV
,nU TIE appolntment OF tncIR successors TO the
Mayor. subject TO the approval u the Aldermen,