New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-04-03
LOCAL MISCELLANY.
SCHEMES ABOUT CITY OFFICES

SCHEMES ABOUT CITY OFFICES.
THE CONTROLLERS TERM OF oFFICE-wBAT MFssRs.
wooDIN, BOOTH, AND WALES SAY CONCERNING
CITY OFFICIALS.
Reports in several Sunday papers have ex-
aggerated the importance Of meeting held Saturday
last between several city officials and leading members
Of the Legislature relative to municipal legislation pend
ing at Albany. and appointments shortly to be made in
this city The exact facts to this conference hard
to obtain, but what is stated below may be safely
assumed to be true.
Mayor wickham, oil know, was elected at cleo
ton which was great for his party the Tam
many Democracy. The election of November last
great reverse for his party many city offices and the
Legislature IN both branches carried by the Repub
lcans This forced the Mayor into policy Of conca-
ton OF the Republicans In order to carry part OF his
party The first positive concession to the
Republicans was in the removal Of Dbecker and Matse
and the appointment of Wheeler and Erhardt Police
Commissioners. There is pending the appointment
OF three Excise Commissioners whose terms begin with
May and In November next the term OF the Controller
expires while Police Commissioner is shortly to be ap-
pointed in the place of Mr. yoorhs The selection Of
Excise and Police Commissioners is one which very
closely affects the coming State election and conse
quently both parties laboriDg to influence the
appointments. The Republicans, under Mr.. Wood g
lead, knowing that Mayor Wickham and Tammany Hall
anxious most Of all TO the removal OF Con-
rocr Green, have introduced in the Legislature bill to
cral offices named in order to force compromise There
is doubt that trading the basis Of Controller
Green's removal in exchange for suitable appointments
in those offices has been going on but the trading poll
cians" who held the conferences too sagacous
to let the facts be known On the contrary they AFFECT
to know nothing Of the schemes afoot and claim to he
indignant that suspicious OF their absolute virtue IN sch
matters should have been expressed by anybody or
any paper.
Senator woodin, who is Chairman Of the Senate Com
mittee Cities stated to TRIBUNE reporter yesterday
that for three weeks there had been before the Com
mttee bill to extend the term Of certain officers In this
city, among them the Controller, whose appointment
rests with the Mayor and whose term OF office now cx
pires in November The object OF the BILL he said
was to prevent Mayor Wickham from appointing the
next Controller, because his personal emnity TO Mr.
Green would lead to remove that gentleman from oilce
and because the present arrangement gave TO
an outgoing Mayor the power OF appointing
a Controller. who would hold his Office
during the administration OF two succeeding
Mayors lie thought that a pewly-eected Mayor might
be disposed continue Mr. Green in Office The Com
mitiee twice voted recommending the BILL and he
had used his influence ii reported ayorably but
both occasions had been unable to secure majority
of the Committee In its favor io felt sure. however
that the bill would be report 10 the senate touoIW
II the bill received with favor, he Thought thal
Mayor Wickhams friends will introduce bill 10 MAKE
the Office OF Controller elective. He SAID he knc"
nothing OF any lobbying or ntieulhg between Fch h,
the different parties and was understood thal
he would not countcnance any hing OF the sort. H. -
Cities said he had opposed the bill TO extend the Con.
roers term of office because he favored the plan oil
the Oe elective, and because he considered the
bill unconstitutional Talk about special legislation,
said he "if that isn't special legislation, don't know
what isl" His opposition the bill arose from no hos
ty TO Mr. Green whom lie entertained the warmost
ndshp and at whose request lie had introduced the
bill at Albany lie said Mr.. Green drew up the Dhi'
which wOided not TO mention the Controllers
but to include II In the phrase and all other APP
pointive Offices which expire before the BIS OF Deceu
Der" When the Committee voted on recommending
the bill Senator Jacobs of Kings County was absent,
stood To 3. Previous 10 the vote ne had
sent a member of the Committee, whom he knew 10
opposed the bill in order to prove an affirmative
vote lie did Mr.. Jacobs TO be present because
he in doubt TO that gentleman's position lie
thought Gov Tildcn would favor the bill ana would
hesitate to sign bill making the Controllers Office
elective, he knew the Governor 10 ne personally
friendly Mr. Green. lie said he knew OF no consud-
tiOns between members OF the Republican and Idmmany
parties the subject. For himself he had not seen
Mayor Wicl ham for some months and had not been IA
vicinity OF the police headquarters since bis fet
Albany although II had been reported mat he had
gentlemen there for purposes OF consultation
Commissioner :. II. Wales, Of the Republicans VINO
reported 10 have been In consultation with Demo.
Gratis subject OF the 5ocalled Controllers BILL
said he wished II announced that he knew nothing
of the consultation mentioned IN the newspapcrs and
that Q the city until late Saturday might,
having gone Washington Tuesday For his part he
dked idea of extending the term OF the Controllers
Office believing that II pest for tho interest OF the
city Controller should not mold ONCE under the
MAYOR whom he is appointed and that the two oiccrs
should enter their duties at the same Time