The New York herald., 1876-11-25
MeSSrS. Martin and 0'DOnohue Answer
to the Charge.
ARGUMENTS BEFORE MAYOR WICKHAM.
The Cizens' Committee Insists Upon
Having Removals.
POSTPONEMENT OF ACTION.

Tho COMMITTEES OF Citizens who made charges
against Park Commissioners Martin and O'Donohus
called at the Mayors ofce yesterday, accordance
with notices previously TO thom that they would
be heard upon the OCCASION. Nessrs. Martin and
O'Donohue were also present Among the citizens
who waited upon Mayor Wickham were Colonel Rush
Z. Hawkins, Dorman b Eaton, Jackson ). Schultz,
John II. Sherwood and about twenty others they
appearance shortly alter eleven O'Clock In
the morning Comptroller Green sent for by the
Mayor and remained during the proceedings, which
occupied about an hour.
When the members OF the committee seatst
Mayor Wckham in few brief remarks, stated the
objects OF the gathering and then read the following
answer OF Park Commissioners Martin and O'DonOhue
DEPARTMENT or PUBLIC PARKS,
New YORK, Nov. ~, 1870
To the Hon WILLIAM II. wIcKHAA, Mayor OF shs CITY
In accordance with your communication dated 2sd
November, 1876. enclosing copy OF charges against
u.s. dated 23d September 1876, signed by kush u duW-
klns and other citizens, ana requesting our reply
thereto in writing, we respectfully say
Ftrs-rhat we, with the concurrent votes In some
in other cases OF both Of our associ-
Commissioners, caused TO he discharged the per.
sons the dates mentioned In said charges, and
that said persons discharged for good and
sufficient cause in due performance OF our duty -
Commissioners, and without violating any STATUTE of
Second-rhat our action in regard TO the laborers
emplOved the department., Auu IN refusing 20 re-
duce the rate Of wages paid 10 them, was just and
proper and that It not disregard or violation OF
duty any Of the respects in which has been 80
7asrd-Inat we are ready to support this answer by
proof and argument at such time and In such manner
dated Nsw YoRK, oath November, 1876.
WILLIAM MARTIN.
JOSEPH J. O'DONOHUE.
Under the admissions in this document II was ap-
parent that little necessity existed for any lengthy
attempt at oratory the part Of the citizens COM
mitteo The facts related IN the charges were mainly
admitted and 1t only renamed for Messrx O'Dono-
hue aud Martin explain their positions legally SO az
to take the ground completely from undcr tho feet o.
their accusers 1t was general impression OF those
present that the charges were Of vague character
Colonel Hawkins remarked that under the reply Of
the he considered necessary Tor the
Citizens Committee TO submit proofs as to their ae-
cations The removed parties could be produced 50
as 10 evidence the fact that the discharges we're mos
made in compliance Of the charter OF 1873 The CON-
tce held that this IN direct violation OF
the laws therein set They expressly provided
that no clerk chief OF bureau should be discharged
without having chance Of being heard and the cause
OF his dismissal spread at large upon the minuteA
Mayor wickhsm expressed his desire to submit the
matter TO the Corporation Counsel for his opinion pA
the law points W. hich had been raised.
Colonel Hawkins considered that the Legislature
hud given the Mayor entire jurisdiction as 10 remova
without consultation with anybody. Hc was bound -
Judge Of the law we'll a. the facts u Il were true
that the laws had been violated then u his duty q
act promptly.
Mayor wicknam suggested that II would hsvs been
proper ior the parties themselves who bad been dis
charged from the Park Department. TO make The ueces
sary complaints
Colonel Hawkins thought that course would have
been proper he claimed that the action Of the two
accused Commissioners was misdemeanor; they had
violated the law. They we're servants OF tho peops
Just as much as the Mayor or Comptroller Gress AZ
far as the wages concerned the accused had as
sumcd tho responsibility Of paying too much.
Fifty thousand could be procured al
this time IN The city Of New York
plumed himself upon helng the principal in This m"vA
ment oi paying Tor labor more than the market price
Hc had taken an oath Of onice to faithfully represent
Martin had gone Tar beyond his duty. Ho tColonel
HawEins called upon the Mayor TO lnterpose oetweea
the people and these unaithiul scrvanta The gentle
man concluded by asking for postponement, 80 thai
evidence could be sent IN az TO the charge
Mayor Wickham said the charge had been suosan
TALLY admitted. The question seemed TO be as u
legality Of action. Turning 10 Commissioner Martin,
he then asked ii the parties DISCHARGED had been gwen
an opportunity TO explain or we're served with
Commissioner Martin answered that they had not He
was willing that each member Of the committee should
be served with any copies OF minutes OF tho depart.
they desire. He was also willing to furnish
them with any lurtneI lnIorInation ~ MS possesson
Mr.. Dorman b, Eaton next went into an argument
on the laws affecting the Park Department as TO the
discharge officials He also spoke pontediy against
the OF the Commissioners in paying their laborcrs
81 per day, when other departments only
pay 81 60. He severely stgmatzed the "com-
munistic' work of Mr.. Martin in 'swaggering
around the corners" in tho character OF
detnogogue. The gentleman then diatcd at some
length upon the necessity Tor reforming the business
OF public departments and called upon the Mayor
to act promptly matter of the charges then sub
mtted TO him. He ielt confident that HIS Honor would
act fairly between the people and the officials In
trusted with important public responsibilities
Some further discussion took place rs 10 the mode
of procedure in investigation. when Il was deter
mined that tho commlttee should submit amdavits OF
evidence 70 Mayor Wickham Tuesday morning next,
which we're open 10 the scrutiny Of the
ana that q final hearing should bo had before she
Nnvor upou the following Friday.