New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-05-15
THE ALDERMEN IN RAGE.

TIE ALDERMEN IN A RAGE.
RECORDER IIACKETT ATTACKED WITH FURY
PRESIDENT ROBERTS DENOUNCEs HIM IN THE BIT
TERrsT TERMs--A RESOLUTION FOR A COMMIT
TEE TO INQUIRE INTO HIS SANITY DEFEATED BY
ONE VOTE.
Recorder Hackett's recent charge to the
Grand Jury in regard the NewYork Aldermen caused
much bitter talk in the board yesterday. The number
of politicians present unusually large. The FIRST
blow was struck mt the Commissioner OF Public WORKS
Aldermar Reilly offered resolutions directing the Com
missioner report all obstructiOrs by stands. show
windows posts or awnings in the streets. He must
begin with Broadway Fifth and Parkayes, and report
his progress at the meeting. Mr. Reilly said that
the Aldermen had been threatened by the Recorder be-
cause they Distracted the streets with small stands,
while the Commission r of Public Works allowed mer-
chants and wealthy citizens put much greater obstruc
tons front % their stores warehouses and residences
There were 5000 10000 stands in the city with
10000 persons dependent on them.
Alderman slevin said that lawyers OF the highest
reputation had told him that the Grand Jury could not
ndict legislative body like the Board Of Aldermen
Alderman Waehncr declared that the charter made 1t
imperative upon the Commissioner OF Public Works to.
know what Instructions I'm the streets and If he
were a proper officer he would know them all The
resolutions would determine whether not no was
doing his duty The resolutions were referred to the
Committee on Streets.
President Roberts made the sensation Of the session by
resolution and his speech advocating IL. The preamble
said that various rumOrs OF painful character had
lately been circulated in regard TO the physical and
mental condition Of John X. Hackett, which. If true,
would disquafy him the proper discharge OF the
duties OF Judicial officer and require his temporary or
permanent removal from the Office Of Recorder The
preamble also reced the charge OF the Recorder regard
ing the Aldermen such charge, 1t declared was so
despotic in character UNCONSTITUTIONAL ans ndica
tive OF mental marmity IN the Recorder as to demand
investigation. This was the resolution:
E,sgireI That committee Of three be appointed by the
Bolri Of !enGg 10 il9me me me mental snS y,L qm
ascertain incapable, for the heretofore
he Recorder the result Of tner investigation to
this board
PRESIDENT ROBERTS GIVES vENr To his WRATH.
Mr. Roberts made extended argument On the rights
~ the Aldermen. and also violent attack upon the
Recorder Among OF things he said
To the Recorders charge. stranger outside the
city would imagine stands and booths scattered
around The sidewalks oil dI cctons. And yet the tact
remains that in nearly FIVE months his board has not
licensed seventy stands all told, and these have been
granted with great care ana caution. Asln ne sgys
the law and action ventur-i to take Now want
call your attention particularly To this LANGUAGE Tor
tons for Administering justice and n.rncting grand
a bGr-r0om discussion or y, ward primary meet
iug. bat ia" bench, by judge, ana to
aud ff d@fdd the ia 9 W. ' c roas in Towfr
consisted u tic passage Of one lne5urc giving heWSoy
h. me morHns ana ,"r Sys III on iII ITC !ste
ana the passage Of Two giving permission 10 erect show
windows, similar 10 thousands already m existence.
The civ as Recorder ana for assistance 10 the Corpora
ton Counsel Md for ry,cgsas Comm ssiOner' $780,
9Ol 30 IN SIGHT years. lie then added:
+ II won Ter our city IS loaded down with debt
and oppressive taXauoul l. it any wonder that two.
thirds OF he real estate owners are on me verge 81
bankruptcy, wnen one ui tAe many cOrnorantN-a nth-
rate lawyer who helped to swallow the substance OF the
propl of the rch a. wen ~ tLc poo III yigt
over 900 that WOud be dearly bought
for It any wonder taat Gorrgr H@ckeit
puEdcT OF the city In 1868 the Citizens Association
commence us warfare against the Tweed h!ng winch
In mat year began itS gigantic operations oi plHuder,
Recorder Racket rushed To the rescue oi The Ring,
ana charged The Grand Jury 70 mdct ih" members as
Abclous. aud as star Chamber usurpihS the rights Of
the Grand jury" go
the prudDu in his the improper conduct Of
the Il, cordcr seconded what bad been laid 10 his
slhnoul pa1 titnifed part and let the brayng OF An
ass 20 UNDECIDED on the empty air Recorder H"ckett
Acrueus duty 10 lcgislate and not concern themselves
as Aldermen about the incompctency or Ignorance OF
sion to inquire into the sanity OF the Recorder He was
not city officer; he part OF the state judicial ma
Alderman Norris" hope this resolution will not be
adopted. Ii the Recorders acts are illegal the courts
viii declare them 81. object 70 this because it declares
I t,n.- or killed members of the medical profession
10 determine a mans sanity, should 90 and pass
Judgment upon It, we would he considered in the eyes Of
ra Ihc b,lrr asses than the man we ARE attacking"
President Robert On great cXcemCnt)-"A legislative
body that has not got suce9 Of independence to
assert ms rights aud dignity DOES not deserve respect
n ,nu tion't respect Yourselves no else Will"
Alderman WqchneT-" The question lies right here: II
Grand jury refuses to ndct Us, that IL sufficient an
yyer 70 mis- mans attacks # they do then the
INFO which we are brought will he the proper place TO
vindicate our rights and privileges"
Aldermen Roberts Bennett, Ehrhart, Foster Guntzcr
HAIL KEENAN, Psips, Sauer and shells voted for the
resolution, ana Aldermen Gedney, Jaconus' Lewis, MOT
Poi. lV u MI IN
IL. Before the result announced Alderman Gunner
changed his vote, and the resolution defeated by
vote of 10 10 g. 1t then called up for recOnsdera
tL0n and land over until the next meeting.
Mayor Ely to the Aldermen vetOes OF six resolu
tOus for stands and other distractions the