The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-04-20
Ills Honor Fires Police Commissioner Among
The Aldermen.
sAAc H. BAILEYs RECEPTION.
The Fathers Shaken, But Not Hun, Fire
I, Him Back Again.
WHY ERHARDT WAS DUMPED.

to street cleaning; tho other was oombshel IN The
shape OF letter 10 the Board oil Aldermen from HIS
Honor nominating Isaac II. Bailey as Police Commits
sioner, IN place OF Joel d. ErhardI
NOMINATION.
II was understood around the City Hall and even by
Mr. Erhardt himself, until within the past two days,
that the gcntlenans term did expire before the
LIST OF May ncxt The records Of the Mayors olice
also showed this to DO the case These records were
made out under the administration OF Mayor Wick
ham, appears. however, that Police Commissioner
Erhardt was appointed TO I'LL tho uncxpired term Of
Hank Smith, deceased. The latter appointed Tor
seven years, commencing the 10th OF April 1870.
To Chief CLERK John Hardy's ingenuity in carefully
examining the records may credited the discovery
OF this mistake Two days ago he informed Mayor
Ely of the matter and the latter then concluded TO
send In the Lame OF Mr. Isaac II. Bailey tor the place.
AT THE ALDERMEN.
A special meeting OF tho Board o. Aldermen was
held yesterday afternoon. Toward tho close OF
tho meeting communication was received
from Mayor Ely. naming Isaac II. Bailey for Police
Commissioner, in tho place OF Joel Is. Erhardt,
whose term of Office had expired.
Gr. Cowing trcpubiicanl moved that the Mayors
nomination should be immediately confirmed. He
romplimcntcd Mr. Bailey highly, alluded 10 his
mirable fitness for tho position OF Police Commits
si0ner.
When Mt. Cowing had concluded his euogy Of Mr..
Bailey Alderman Purroy, President Of tho Board,
gave the keynote for rejecting tho nomination. Con.
siderable comment made by outsiders upon this
speech. as Mr. Purroy is known TO represent Mr..
John Kelly In the Board. Some suggested that IL
looked like decided break between the Mayor and
Comptroller, but subsequent events somewhat dis.
proved this view OF the controversy
Mr.. Purroy, In moving to reject tho nomination,
ead:-l am at loss to understand why this nomina-
ton has been sent In 10 this Board but II II in
pursuance Of any agreement then that agreement
cannot bind US, because parties 10 it, AT
The last election the people OF this CITY bya majority
Of more than nftythrce thousand decided to ntrust
Its government democratic hands, and now, at tho
very first opportunity. 70 confirm o republican as
member OF our most important municipal commission
Is such betraya! OF the people who elected this
Board as shall never consent to be guilty OF. II
the democratic majority OF New YORK city last fall
which decided the both the nation and tho
State. Determined efforts being inado by
partisan legislation and Acknowledgement to break
down this majority and TO gradually make this city
republican. TO confirm this gentleman for Police Com.
missioner will, In my opinion further aid ami abet
these efforts, and therefore this Board ought not
TO hesitate one moment In tho performance
OF its plain duty have heard II urged by gentlemen
whose opinions respect that tho Police Board ought
10 be -partsan appoints inspectors and
poll clerks. cannot the force OF tho argument.
In appointing inspectors and poll clerks the Police
board performs merely m iseral duty because the
Tinted states Circuit Court in well known has
decided that these appointments must be taken from
the fists furnished BY the two partcs at variance on
Etatcs issues. But apart from this, believe the
whole theory Of non-partisan commissioners essen
TALLY wrong IL entirely antagons,ic TO the prin
cipe upon which all government IN this country IS
founded, and whenever II has been put practice
this city its results have been most pcrncious, Il
begot the most corrupt and infamous Board that
d,sgraced New York--ihe old non-partisan Board
Supervisors, and rs bad effects already visible
in the management oil tho present Police Board.
Besides. don. think that these times sutco 10
non partsanism. Tho democratic party has had
enough IRON lately TO cause IL TO refuse TO
willingly surrender any more Our opponents
ccdc nothing 10 US. Why, then, should we constantly
conccdc everything TO thcmf Within tho past few
weeks have a republican Senate, representing
minority Of the pcopse throw back in tho lace OF the
Executive the nominations which he had selected
from among our purcsL and best citizens. Why, our
self respect, II nothing else, requires reject
his nomination. Tins board has been the butt OF every
republican attack Every partisan bill oduccd this
Albany contains clause deprlving OF
rights and reducing us 10 tho condition OF mere hsurc
heads and 10 cap the climax We have been AGAIN and
ngaln denounced corrupt by men who, at tho very
time they uttered the words, were themselves secretly
negotiating secure silence on the part OF the prisoner
In Ludlow street. Even here, among ourselves do the
minority OF TINS Board forget their party bias
When tho name OF tho present Comptrollcr--a man
who has done than anybody elso 10 honest
government in this cy-was sent into this Board
can forget that, while not Of the minority
could utter word against his purity fitness, yet
not one OF them could be induced TO vote Tor him.
know that IL is now threatened that unless this
nation, which has been iorciby wrung from unw-
ing Mayor be promptly confirmed tho right 10 confirm
nil other nominations Will be taken from u, by special
and city made 10 feel the vengeance oil rcpub
hcan Legislature. These threats should not be
sdcrcd Tor a moment We responsible for
Albany Legislation. nor are personally interested
The confirm ing power but while possess this power
am in OF exercising IL fearicssy and IN good
faith toward the people who elected us, even though
this be tho last act.
REPUBLICAN IRE.
Mr. Cowng contended that IL did not matter what
Mr. Balley's politics. He ought TO be confirmed
~ tArt ttn n nj lfa
sick Of having political arguments continually In
their wncn Mr. Campbell was appointed Com
missioner OF Pubic Works this question had been
raised. He was confirmed BY a UNANIMOUS vote OF he
Board.
him question: Was Mr.. Campbell a democrat or
repubicanI
Mr. Cowlng did not want to be interrupted, ana again
reite rated his belief tnat politics ought not to be
dragged into tho Of Mr.. Bailey. The Police Com.
mission had always been non-par,isan. II they pro-
posed to throw their whole power into tho hands OF
one man they might change that system. II II
tho intention 10 make the Police BOARD partisan
body, then the appointments 81 inspectors of election
should be given to another body.
Mr. Ilnckncy ouiogizcd The character Of Bailey, and
read or list Of democratic commissioners VINO had
been confirmed with the and OF republican votes IN the
Board.
Mr. Rowland supplemented Mr.. pinckncy's remarks
h., also calling OIL additional list ~ democratic com
mssioucrs, including Messrs. Brennan, Dmock,
King Nichols, Martin, Wetmorc and Others who had
received republican Endorsement
Alter some further discussion the nomination was
rccc by OF IA To s. al tho democrats voting
against the confirmation ana the republicans IL the
Affirmative
Az INTERVIEW MAYOR Ely
After the Aldermen had adjourned Mayor Sly was
called upon by the hRALD representative 10 obtain his
views relative TO the nomination oi Mr. Barley. when
The following conversation TOOK place.
mir. Mayor, the democratic majority IN the Board
81 Aldermen have Just rejected your nomination OF
Isaac II. Bailey Tor Police Commissioner. What does
II mcahY Is there n break bc wcen you and them ~
'.Ccrtainly not Inc relations between the Alder
men aud m self OF the most pleasant nature
"Dld you nominate Nj. Bailey for political rea-
-
ayes; Tor both political ana personal reasons |
think mat so long III. appon ncnt OF inspectors OF
election continues. tho Police Board IL should be
Kept non-partlsan, and, besides nave known Mr..
Bailey intimately from hoyhood, and nc
would make excellent Police commissioner =
as MIR Baiicy ircd OF his present Office n Commis
stoncr OF Charities and Corrcciony"
al think not; but thought II he should be
grmcd AZ Police Commissioner would have the oppor-
tupty OF appointing trend of mlnc who has pecu.
lnr fnrss Tor the position Of Commissioner OF Char