The New York herald., 1876-01-01

NOSE who know him well he is thought TO be a
man Of considerable ability and possessing great Dc
that he is well lifted for the position of Police -Inee
missioner HIS military experience and bl9~ Commis-
capacity 70 govern men are said to hayS wen known
reason for his appointment Oeeh the chleI
De Wit Clinton Wheeler Is
politician. he is n "eI known repqohcah
been ee6 born @ " 9aTwick '9s ORANGE s'' county. an
He came TO n shout forty six years Of age.
entered ~ - city while yet a very young man and
amassed - dry goods trade In this business he
from - large fortune and retired several years ago
me- ctive business pursuits although he is still a
broadway. Like Mr.. Erhardt he is not an active
partisan in politics. but has ever been identified with
The republican party Of this city. He is also member
OF the Union League club
VIEWS OF rHE MAYOR AND TIE COMMISSIONERS
wishing 10 learn the views Of the new Commissioners
upon our model police HERALD reporter drove TO the
Manhattan Club where, II supposed, the Mayors
party had gone but they had not been there visit
TO several other places was equally unsuccessful At
last Delmoncos at the of Fourteenth street
and Fith avenue reached and the reporter esped
the Mayor emerging from the restaurant accompanied
by General smith and followed by Commissioners
Noorhis Erhardt and Wheeler The party were joking
and laughing and evidently in the best Of spirits As
the Mayor saw the reporter approaching he playtuly
threw up his hands, and, turning to General Smith
said, Where, oh where shall We hy from the HERALD
roporterrn
Now, Mr.. Mayor said the writer, ''tell US about
the change-when, whore and how did 1t occur"
MAIOR-Wel, suppose there is no evading Il, but
hadn't you better interview the new Commssioners?n
REPoRrER-Their turn IS to come. when did you
hear irom the Goyernor and where were the official
documents slgnedS"
MAYoR-rhe matter was decided upon to-day and
copies OF the correspondence between the Governor
and myself are now beng prepared at my Office and
Will be furnished TO the press. The Governors COM
munication was very brief, but TO the point The new
Board met 40 Police Headquarters O'Clock this
evening" and without any delay proceeded TO organize
General Smith elected President and Commis-
soner Voorhs was elected Treasurer have no doubt
the new Commissioners Will do their duty to the salts
faction OF the public
REroRrrR-Haye you received any communication
from either Mr. Maise or Mr. Dishecker to-day in re.
latIon to the changer
MAYoR-Not a word They we're, Of course officially
notified ofthe action Of the Governor this evening
REPoRrER-hr. Mayor, what are the political ten
dencles OF the new appointees They are republicans,
are they notf
MAYoR-wcll upon my word, haven't bothered
about that yet BY the way Erhardt, what your
Are you republican or whatY
Mr.. Erhardt laughed as he replied, ~ intend 10 do
my duty as Police Commissioner 10 the best of my
ability irrespective of any party affiliations. "
''Those my sentiments SAID Mr. Wheeler, with
considerable warmth. "The Police Department needs
earnest workers and the question of party affiliations
should not enter into the work.
'There,h said the Mayor, "now the HERALD knows
the political tendencies of the new Commissioners -
t. ~ will say this" continued Mr.. Erhardt "a look
opon the Police Department OF New York
as wide field for much hard work. It
is In need OF earnest vigorous cooperation
on the part Of the Commissioners, and know the
present Board will do all in their power TO bring the
force up to proper standard"
General Smith here turned 10 the reporter and said,
This was a surprise 10 me to-day. knew nothing Of
it until this evening, when was notified that meet
ing OF the Board to be held at the Central Office
went there, and the rest the HERALD knows.
General asked the reporter, ''do you wish to say
anything about the future policy Of the new Boardl
Not as yet 1t is little early. Wait until after
New Years
''wn the new Board hold a meeting tomorrow"
mo not until next Tuesday" said the new Presi-
dent "rhe new Commissioners going to make
New Years calls tomorrow ! may be at my office,
however part of the day.
Commissioner Voorhls had nothing to say about the
new Board other than he believed it would do its duty
TO the public
The HERALD reporter here took his departure the
Mayor and the Commissioners walking up Fourteenth
street toward Broadway.