The New York herald., 1877-12-25
Strange and New Phases OF
Their Case.
POLITICAL WIRE PULLING.
Mayor Ely Reserves His Decision
and Considers the Charges.
AID R'MANIc TACTICS,


which tho controversy relative TO tho impeached
Police Commissioners had apparently assumed.
Rumors Of contract and bargain between nigh re-
publican and democratic officials were freely circu.
lated rne Interests OF tho people seemed to DO en-
rciy forgotten in tho unholy scramble, prefermcnt
and patronage for certain individuals being the only
grounds winch the high contracting parties cared
to strike hands.
Long before Mayor Ely reached the CITY Hall yes-
terday morning crowd Of politicians Of high and low
degree th0buged to tho Executive Chamber They
had twoiod object viow-to inquire as TO the
reported dculcat,on OF Excise Commissioner Owen
Murphy, and also to the probable action OF Mayor
Ely IN tho matter OF tho charges against Police Com
mlssioners Erhardt Wheeler and Nichols When tho
"rial' OF these officials was closed eleven O'Clock
Saturday night Il was generally understood thas
the fato of the Police Commissioners sealed; that
thoy would have to walk tho plank before the end OF
the present week.
THE SCENE SHIFTS.
But Sundays quietncss and appropriate period tor
meditation, IL is said, brought marked change in the
programme The dark clouds lifted from around
the future OF Messrs. Erhardt, Wheeler IND Nichols.
What developed SO magical transformation scene!
Tie dtssoving oi official gave place to
fixed reality further lease OF power At Police
Headquarters.
The local politicians were yesterday ques-
toned TO this peculiar change Of base. At
twelve o'clock It was given out indireciIy
from tho Mayors Office that charges would DO DIS
missed against the Commissioner aud that Alderman
Henry Z. Howand's name would be sent In for con-
drmation to tho Board Of Aldermen during the after
noon in place OF Joc B. Erhardt Inquiry was made
Of the Mayor and his confidential Official as to the rea-
for this complexion OF tho situation. No tangible
explanation could DO givcn. Mr.. vanderpoek the
Mayors private secretary, and mad given out
that the CHARGES would be- dismissed, and that Mr.
Howand's namo would certainly be sent TO the Board
A HAP-HAz4RD SOLUTION
Then prominent politician who did not desire his
mentioned volunteered solution Of tho knotty
points, as folows:-"Mayor Ely being possessed OF the
authority to remove tho central power In city
politics. 70 the Mayor. then. Comptroller Kelly has
been compelled 10 mako ovcrturcs In order TO save
his friends and himself Bargains between the
Mayor and Comptroller have consequently been
madc Tho agreement Is to appoint Erhardts
successor and allow the remaining Commis-
soners TO retain their places. just here The
Board OF Aldermen comes in and refuses the sue
cessor nominated in Erhardts place TO be confirmed
until the Mayor has rendered hts decision on tho
charge against the Police Board. All this furnishes
the people with the proof that Of above
toned contracting powers, while perfectly willing to
make arrangement for trade, is 30 thoroughly
suspicious OF one another that pay in advance Is
demanded. As this payment cannot be received by
all parties tho new coalition may break Tho
Custom House leaders may also DO put down
head and shoulders into this bargain. Mr. Wheeler
Is grcat friend Of Senator ConKiines II tho Police
Commissioners removed there Is doubt that
Governor Robinson would sustain the charges With
Police Board favorable TO Mayor Ely he would
strengthen himself very much in political sense.
But the present deal may be more satisfactory as Mr.
Ely force his reuominatop next fall by Tammany
the strength OF promise from It's presont leader.
But can tell you" remarked thus politician emphati-
4 sl,ute houn a1tpn
| IN tho present emofgency-men who have
| great presence Of mind and 1T 70 carry
! move the Polico Commissioners ana the papers
to the Governor, and he will lnd that tho people OF
renom rent mil nate him Tor Mayor by rammany Hall 10 may
hnd himself cheated IN the end"
/ ALDEKMASIc ACTION
Tho proceedings VI the Aldermen gave evidence az
to the truth OF some OF tho conclusions. Previous
70 the meeting Of the Board caucus Of tho
man Purroy stated that III intorview just held with
tho Mayor no (NE Purroy) had remarked that cob
league would not confirm Mr.. Howand until tho
charges dismissed against the three Commission
crs. They assumed this position on the ground that
they did not wish 70 cast Stigma upon tho character
of Mr. Erhardt, as he had acted In manly straight
forward manner throughout tho present dincusics.
| Such the condition OF affairs when the 'sCity
Eathers' came together at two o'clock. Some unim.
portant business being transacted Alderman Purroy
| Introduced the following resolution:-
Resolved. That while this Board the prompt
removal from ones Of ~ officials o. % proysa gai.y q official
ihsssiors they not Confirm the Of aay ps
son a. rass & S sasn slime as shs
disposed Of
Mr.. Purro9 advocated his resolution by remarkng
that he should like 10 have Mr. Ernardt's place va
Gated ana democrat app1ntea , ~ ns stead As aa
do nothing TO iDjurc his character. Tho Mayor could
not make the Aldermen share With him tho RESPONSE
bIty OF acting On his charges ssainst the Police
Commissioners Ho might SHIFT the responsibility
/ to tho Governors shoulders II he chose. He should
1rst dispose OF the charges, and then they would
| on his nominations
Alderman Cowing agreed with Mr. Purroy generally.
He did not think II right, however. That The Board
should declare that they would not act nomina
tons until the thrco commissioners had bean either
| removed exoncrated
Alderman purroy unwilling 10 give. Mayor Ely
the chance OF removing the other two Commissioners
Tbe resolution was lnay passed by voto OF 20 TO L
| THE SITUATION cHAsoEn.
Notice was sent " Mayor Ely OF the passage oi the
resolution, and tho following interview took place
| RxroRrER--What do you propose doing now In rea-
nen TO the Police Commissoncrss
The MAyoR-I shall carefully CONSIDER the matter
and Will not bc able 70 come 10 any decision for few
RroRrEK-Thsn you viii not send m any name in
/ place oil Mr.. Erhardt to-duyf
Tho MAYoR-No, sir ny time will be taken up for
several days In examining these chargcs
Thus stands tho case NJ present Christanus fcstivi
ties, . talk with Ex-Governor rilden and Governor
Robinson aud review Of the political lcld generally
may produce material change in tho situation beoro
another mtvo 10 made la our ever revolving political
chess board
ARGUMENr FoR THE COMMISSIONERS.
/ According 10 tho agreement made with Mayor Ely
the counsel for tho Police Commissioners were TO
have In their argument In writing by nino O'CLOCK last
night Accordingly tho Mayors private secretary was
IN waiting a. the City Hull until that hour receive
any communications they night wish TO make. The
only one received was the argument OF Mr. David
Dudley Field, who, together with his associates has
been conducting the Tor tho Comm issioners and
/ was chosen 10 make tho summing up. After revicw.
ing the Mayors charges and giving short statement
OF the case Mr. FcId continued as touows arranping
his Argument under six heads:--
| E,st-Mr Erhard; Is not subject 10 removal by the
Mayor. Ills OF olce has expired he holds oy,
unt the appointment ~ his such
be made time by the Mayo with the cunsent
Of the Aldermen. Meantime he is net ITS ull sense
commissioners, but tocu. teas until the Mayor
bis duty VI biing the Office one who holds owe.
subject 90 tho special power VI removal Tor canse because
he already removed expiration Of his term as effect
i - ~ u H.