The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-01-07
THE COMMISSIONERS FROM JERSEY.


During the session OF the Board OF Aldermen yester-
day reporter visited each member 10 ascertain his
opinion as the denomination OF Fitz John Porter
as Commissioner Of Public Works These gentlemen
were after the nomination had been referred 20
special committee TO report From their expressions
given below It is quite evident that there is not
shadow OF hope tor his confirmation. Indeed, it is
settled that when the Mayor made the nomination he
we'll that 1t could not be confirmed, but that
he renominated him with the view Of vindcating him
and pleasing the silk stocking democracy OF the city
whose candidate General Porter 1t is further de-
clared by leading Tammany members of the Board.
that General Porter will ask for the withdrawal Of his
before the meeting OF the Common Council.
and thus himselfth humiliation Of pronounced
and overwhelming rejection at their hands
The following the opinions of members Of the
Board
Alderman Morris rep III shall most decidedly vote
against the confirmation OF General Porter, for the
that he has sufficient force Of character to
appoint inspectors the public works OF
character and fitness for the position.
Alderman Lysaght (dem. III shall most decidedly
vote against his confirmation While have no objec-
ton to him gentleman and soldier, his in
reducing the wages of the aboring enough To
prevent voting for HIM. stand by the hard listed
democracy first, last and all the time, and shall
matter OF course, vote against any who aids
ducing the price Of labor.
Alderman John Kelley (dem,)-l against him and
shall vote for his rejection, because he who
aided in the reducNon of laborers wages aud who,
when requested by this Board TO reconsider his action
in the premises, refused
Alderman Seery (dem. III shall vote agans him for
the that MIR Kelley offers will vote
sodly with my contreres opposition TO any man who
is in favor OF cutting down aborers' wages
Alderman Rowland rep III have nothing 10 say
the subject 1t is understood by some that he will vote
for the confirmation
Alderman Pinckney trep)-I shall vote against him
i fa Angnf FIR mn IN
Alderman Guntzer (dem ri consider Mr.. Porter q
faithful man. who has tried to administer his Office
the interest OF the people. The only mistake be has
made for the democratic party is the reduction of the
laborers' wages IL would be hard for me TO vote
against him. although am convinced that the labor
ers should have fair days pay ~ shall vote, SAID
Mr. Guntzer, with the majority" which means simply
that he will vote against confirmation.
Alderman Purroy (dem III will vote against him for
the given in tue speech have just made That
places squarey on the record.
Alderman Keenan, (dem. VI will not express an
opinion al the present stage OF the case. He may,
therefore, be put down as doubtful
Alderman McCarty idem. III think 1t the wise policy
TO refer the matter TO the committee which has Just
been done. will not say how will vote for the pres
ent, but will be entirely governed by the interest OF
the party and democratic conference thereon, which
will doubtless be held
Alderman Sauer dem III shall not vote for Ftz John
Porters confirmation, have in the past openly
pressed myself that could not conscientously vote
for him.
Alderman Billings trep)-I have nothing 10 say at
present as how will likely the question
AS am in the minority am non-commitia for the
present
Alderman Cudlir trep,)-I cannot say how will
cord my until the roll is called.
Alderman Wade rep VI am opposed to the conhr
nation OF General Porter, because think he has shown
himself incompetent for tho position in his testimony
before the Legislative Committed
Alderman Hess rep III am opposed TO Fitz John
Porters confirmation because | don't think he has
conducted the public works as economically as he
mioht have done Some of our best citizens and
largest taxpayers visited the public works the
upper wards and found aborers idle and performing,
perhaps, not more than TWO hours work per day
/ htnE fha naFnIcG NJ IN ann hO
held responsible; hence shall vote against him.
Alderman Cole ldem. )-Personally have objcc-
/ ton TO him. | believe him gentleman IN every
spect But If had a choice, there several demo-
! Gratis in this city whom know would prefer to
cupy the position OF Commissioner OF Public Works.
did not approve OF bis reducing the aborers wages.
because think not for the best interests Of the
city, II dong justice TO the poor man, who Ia
compelled through necessity at the present time TO
work for whatever he can get in consequence OF the
paralyzed condition OF the industries OF this city
who gets 81 per day for labor will do work
than who gets only 81 so per day that the city
gains nothing by the reduction OF wages.
! Alderman rwomcy idem III shall vote for the adop-
ton OF the report OF the committee TO which the
nation has been referred or his fitness for the place
shall not now express an opinion. Mr.. Twomey will
/ without doubt, vote against confirmation.
Alderman Shields (dem. lit my opinion that Gen.
eral Porter won't be confirmed | am IN favor Of la
borer's wages being kept al remuneratve rate, and
he instrumental in their reduction Personally he
/ Is gentleman but IL IS unwse TO have Commissioning
( OF Public works who does not reside IN the Guy or
state IL safe 10 say that Mr. Shields vote Will DO
against confirmation.
Alderman Gumbleton (dem. III shall have TO vote
against him account OF his reduction OF abOrers'
wages Personally, ! have no objection TO General
Porter bat do not think laborers wages should be
duced below 81 per day. That sum is little enough
/ Alderman Gross (dem. III think he Is
spectacle and able Think he has performed the
duties OF his Office well any OF his predecessors f
not better; but oppose him now, as did when his
nomination was up before for the reason that he Is
/ IRON another State
! Alderman Bryan Reilly dem IL cannot vote
for any who will not do justice TO my constituents
eight out Of ten OF whom are hboring men while
have personal objections to the General gentle
man. his the labor question does not suit me
nv constituents
President s Lewis dem This gentleman.
having appointed the committee not questioned az
TO his views upon the nomination. but Is sale 70 say
II called upon vote he would be found with the ma
ory, opposed to the confirmation Of the Mayors nom
nee. II is not likely that the Common Council will
have an opportunity to vote on the confirmation or re-
lection Of General Porter but II his be not with
drawn he will without doubt be rejected by very
large majority, as follows
REHABILITATION
Opposed 10 confirmation Aldermen Norris (repl.
Lysaght (dem-) John Kelley tdem.L Secry dsm.)
Sauer ldeml Wade repl Cole dcml Hess pepl,
Tuomey tdem), Shields DEM, Gumbleton tdem.),
Gross idem Reilly tdeml, President Lewis dem-l
DoubtuL-Messrs- keenan, tdem y Billings lrepl,
Cudin rep y Rowland rep Total,
After the reporter OF the HERALD had concluded hts
o the Aldermen and the Board had adjourned,
he surrounded by number OF the Getty Fathers"
who anxious 70 know the result OF the canvass in
advance OF the vote the report OF the committee
Thcy not graiiGed however, and as the reporter
beat retreat Of the democratic Aldermen re-
marked, 'Oh, let him alone, he knows ms business,
and guess General FItz when no reads the HERALD
tomorrow morning at his home IN New Jersey, VIII
find that the Common Council OF the city OF New ork
believe that honest man can be ionnd 70 our own
CITY capable Of Filing the position OF Commissioner OF
Public Works
General Porter himself on being questioned relative
to the mor that he intended TO resign before the next
meeting Of tho Adermauc Board, replied that he knew
nothing OF It's origin