New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-01-01
MAKING THE CHANGES.

ntcfsIoN-lUE APPROVAL or THE MAYORS
ORDER OF REMOvAL--REORGANHAT OF THE
Pmlcz BOARD-MAYOR wICKHAMs ENPECTA-
TONS IRON TIE NEW MIN.
The rumors which have been in circulation for
several DAYS that there strong probability Oh
Gov. Tilden's agreeing with the Mayor IN the re-
moyal Of Police Commissioners Matsell and Dis
becker were ended yesterday Oy the action OF the
Governor in signing the documents for their re-
noval The intelligence reached this city late in
+be doy The removed Commissioners knew noth-
ing of il until informed by reporters Of the press
Soon afterwarl n intelligence was confirmed by
the reception of, - official notice of removal. 1t
was understood by the friends of Mcssrs Matsell and
Disbecker that the Governor had decided not to take
anv action IN the matter aud when the notice Of re-
moyal was received by the Commissioners it oc-
eaaoned no little surprise and disappointment.
Mayor Wickham received information in the latter
mart If tile afternoon that the Governor had con-
cured in the removal of the Commissioners 1t
caused him no surprise. lie had been expecting that
this action would be taken, and had selected the
men who we're to be appointed to ill the vacancies
They were Col joel b. Erhardt and De Witt c.
Wheeler The Mayor deemed it, advisable that the
Police Board should be reOrganized soon rs posi-
bic He received a telegram from Albany that the
official papers had been given 20 trusted messenger
and that they were the way TO this city. lie then
informed Mcssrs. Wheeler and Erhardt Of the fact,
md reouested them TO accompany him 10 Police
Headquarters as soon the official papers were re-
ecyed m order that the Board might be reorganized
Of once The expected papers were received between
G and o'clock p. m. They were as follows:
STATE OF NEw-YORK, EXECUTIVE CLIMBER,
ALBANY Dec 81. 1873.
To the non. WILLIAM II. WIcRnAM' Mayor Of the C"S
SIX: am instructed by the Governor TO transmit to
you the incossd approval o. our @ ce a. Pcc
Commissioners. have the honor to remain yours very
truly, W. l. PtLlOS' Ml''y 0'oic'"S'
TIE MAYORS ORDER OF REMOVAL.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT. CITY nnI,}
NEw-YORR, Nov. 4, 1873.
], william II. wckham, Mayor Of the City OF New
York do hereby certify that Ia virtue OF the authority
vested IN rue by IS Of Chapter 1886 Of the Laws Of
1873 entitled an Act to reorganze the local govern
ent OF the Ctyof New-York II lave tsdsy FOR cause
after opportunity 10 him afforded be heard and after
actually hearing hIm, removed DeOfge W h!ts't irou
cfice as one OF the Police 'onmssl"efs o ipG Ciy OF
NeWY0rk and also that in virtue OF the authority 40 ~
aforesaid vested in me, have this day for cause a. ter
ain hear. ~ him, removed Abraham Dsbecker irom
Office one Of the Police Commissioners OF tue Cy OF
Fac cause OF removal in each Is the incompeency
OF ue Individual Az Police Commissioner, shown by
the tact that tue Police foy, during All the time be has
held rfice, has be, and now Is zed without
discipline and inefficient; and his personal uniiness for
tac oHcr a. SHOWN ly the fact tllt he does enjoy
tHst coincidence of tie citizens generally which, TO one
has long in the seryce as Police CVInInis-
''1''' 80 '''1 WILLIAM H. w.cKnAa, Mayor.
Gov TnDEN's APPROVAL
STATE OF NEw-YORK. EXECUTIVE CHAMBER
ALBANY, Dec. II, 1870
TRefeas Tho Mayor Of the CITY OF New-YorR has re-
moved George W. Mltseu and Abraham Dsbocker from
odice Gs Police Commissioners Of the city Of Nevlork,
after opportunity each of them Afforded 20 be heard
and after actually hearing each of them; and
Whereas. The said, the Mayor, has communicated 20
ne ia writing his reasons for each OF such removals
Now, therefore. do hereby approx. 81 och OF said
removals. SAMLLL j. lILitN
The Mayor at once proceeded to make out the
formal appointments Of MessFs Wheeler and En-
hardt The certificates OF appointment recite that
70 conformity with the provisions Of the law DE
Witt c. Wheeler has been appointed to fiji the unex-
pred term of George w. Matsell, which terminates
May l. 1873, and Joel b. Erharlt for the uneXpired
term Of Abraham Disbecker, which terminates May
!, 1872
RE0RGANIzING THE BOARD.
Police Commissioning Smith ami Voorhis, who
were apparently in the secret had been requested TO
remain at Police Headquarters. Soon after
o'clock the Mayor, the new Police Commissioners.
and Richard J. Morrison, Supervisor of The city
Jec0rd drove up TO the front entrance Of Police
Headquarters hastily alightcd, aud entered the
building. They proceeded at once TO tho rooms of
ito Police Commissioners on the second floor.
Commissioners Smith and Voorhis were in the room
Of the latter The new Commissioners were con-
graduated OH their appointment, and the work Of
recognizing the Board was then entered upon. The
new Commissioners presented their credentials Of
appointment aud they we're received On motion
Of Commissioner Erhardt, Commissioner Wheeler
was elected temporary chairman. Commissioner
Erhardt then moved that Commissioner Smith be
chosen President Of the Board. lie was elected
unanimously. Commissioner Smith accepted the
position, and thanked his colleagues for the honor
conferred upon him. The meeting then adjourned.
IuE MAYORS REASONS FOR HIS ACTION.
bayor Wickham said yesterday 20 TmBUHE re-
porter that he bad recommended the removal of
Commissioners Matsell and DisbeckeT because he
believed they unfit for tbs place. and that the
police force was becoming steadily demoralized
WhiIo the Police Commission was iB the position it
lad occupied for several months past lie had no
Personal feeling against the removed Commissioners,
but he thought that the public interests were bene-
1ted by their displacement. lie had appointed
hessrs- Wheeler and EThardt because he believed
them 70 De men VINO commanded the confidence of
TIE public, and would labor ~ elevate and improve
Tie morale and discipline of the p,hco. The Boari
would be non-partisaD. and be believed would work
- unit Tor tie public good. The gentlemen whom
Ao ia" appointed were Republicans but were not
s'lo"s pArtsanS Quo at least he had solicited tn
take Tue position Of Police Commissioner Ia February
Ss' "hSn no contemplated the removal Of the Police
|"'nniSsioners who have now been displaced.
THE DISPLACED COMMISSIONERS.
Mr.. AATsEIDB RECEPTION OF THE srws os ma
REMovAL-Hs DECLARES THAT liz MAS Eo CON-
PLAINT TO HAKE-HIs PAST cAREER-MR. MIS-
SheKER's DENuNolA1oN OV' THE INFLUENCES