New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-06-22
PLAIN WORDS FROM JOHN MoRR1ssEY.


HE DEFINES HIS PosruON-HIs OPPOSITION TO TIE
CosTIGAN AND OTHER BILLS EXPLAINED-His
ATTITUDE TOWARD JOHN KELLY-HE WILL NOT
RESIGN.
The Subcommittee on Discipline of the
Tanlnany Hall Committee on Organization, consisting Of
VIM a Boyd Sheriff Conner Maurice j. Power, and Al
dermen Purroy and Lysaght, met yesterday and con-
tnued their investigation of the condition Of the various
Assembly District Tammany organizations. More
than the usual interest manifested in the
hearing because ii known that the case OF the Xl
District was to be taken up aud that this really meant
the nvesgatiOn Of the charges against John NOrrssey,
who has been accused Of working against the Costigan
BILL the Civil Justices BILL the Special Sessions bill, and
other measures which agreed upon as worthy OF
support by majority OF tie Tammany leaders before
they introduced into the Legislature More recently
he has been charged with disafecton toward the Tam
many organization
considerable number OF the members OF the Iarnrna
ny General Committee gathered IN and around the
Hall in Fourteenthst attracted there by curiosity 10
hear what defense Morrissoy would make to these
charges As he entered the where the Committee
were In session. Mr. Mo1issey sauted the members with
"Weu is this the Trial chamberi" He then announced
his readiness questions that might be put
10 him He wished, however, that the session OF the
Committee should be public far TO admit reporters
OF the press The charges against him had heen given to
the press and he wished his reply should also be made
public. The Committee declined to allow this for the
reason that all their meetings had been private Mr. Nor
rssey then said that he would give 10 the reporters an
account the meeting AID that his statement would DC
same that given to the Committee de was asked
about his action relative to the Costigan bill. lie
said he was opposed TO that because 1t
merely transferred patronage from depart
ment to another, aud because 1t threatened
10 cause rupture between the Mayor and Governor He
had seen the Governor and the latter had expressed
opposition TO the bill lie had cgraphed to John
Kelly to up ~ Albany at once, and that II Kelly
could that night he would endeavor to have the
bin held back In order that Mr. Kelly might be present
and consult with those opposed to It, Mr. Kelly telc-
graphed back have the bill passed Tho direct result
this was rupture between Speaker Mcclure and the
Governor.
Mr. Mog1fssey then questioned in relation to his
action N the Civil Justices DILL Flo replied that he had
oposed the bill when 1t was discussed IN tho Tammaly
Committee on Organization His reason for this was
that believed that the principle OF taking the right OF
eecng justices and placing their appointment in the
hands " the Mayor wholly wrong. He had so ex-
pressed himself public both here and in Albany. He
had not worked against the bill further than this. lie
opposed the Special Sessions bill for the that
was deal" between the Republicans and Democrats.
The Rapid Transit bill he had not opposed SO far as he
tuew everybody In favor OF any bill
that would insure rapid transit for New York. He was
then questioned Is to- his feeling toward the Tanmany
Organization Mr. MOissey replied that be liked the or
gaization but wss opposed the way IN which 1t had
been run by certain of the leaders who controlled IT, He
Thought that the reduction OF the borcrs wages was
very III advised IL would be very much better II econ
omy In city expenditures was necessary TO besln 10y
reducing the salaries OF the Commissioners and other
highly paid officials and not by falling SOC per annum
from labOrers, who barely earned $500 in that time,
end most Of whom had families dependent Oh them.
Mr. Morrissey also said that no objected 10 tic mode OF
the distribution OF patronage. lie one Of COM
mittce from his distrc; who were chosen call Or the
Mayor anil sUt such patronage in The various depart.
ments as might he accorded the XIth District lie
told by Mayor that the various heads Of bureaus
under the City Government wod call on the Committee
On Organization and designate What pis9es could We
filed They did not CALL and lac was mol coiisuted
about the appointments. Nevertheless the places
eflled No report bad been made by the Committee on
patronage. far lac knew lie was no: aware of
eefeetion existing IN the Conmtee Of his disirict.
Further than individual EXPRESSIONS OF opinion
the manner 10 which some thinks were