The New York herald., 1878-11-07
The New Mayors Patronage.

The election of friendly majority of
the Board of Aldermen makes Mr.. Edward
Cooper's victory substantial one. With
out this majority his hands would have
been tied at the commencement of his
official career through inability to secure
the confirmation of his appointments. With
it he steps at once into control Of the city
patronage, and, what is Of paramount i'm
pcrtance, obtains at an early day majority
in the Board of Apportionment, which
holds authority over the city estimates and
appropriations.
The Board of Apportionment is composed
of the Mayor, Comptroller. President of the
Department Of Taxes and Assessments and
President of the Board Of Aldermen. The
will be anti-Tammany. whether democrat
or republican. and will on January next
take the place of Alderman Roberts in the
Board Of Aprortionment. Mr.. John
Wheeler, the present President Of the De-
partment of lakes and Assessments, is a
Tammany democrat, but has always acted
with independence as a member Of the
Board. His term of office, however, ex-
tends only until May next, when Mayor
Cooper will have the power to appoint
his successor, the President Of the De-
par.ment being, under the charter, desig-
mated in his appointments. The Board Of
Apportionment will then stand politically
with three anti-Tammany or Cooper mem
bers against Comptroller Kelly singly. The
Board has power to fix the amount Of appro-
priations for the several departments by
majority vote, although the final estimate
must receive the signature of all the four
members before it becomes operative. The
affirmative vote Of three members may au-
thorize the issue of stocks and bonds pro-
vided for by law, thus giving the majority
the power of issue in such cases as the
Brooklyn Bridge. 1t will be seen at once
that it is very important for the Mayor to
hold the majority of such Board.
The patronage falling under Mayor
Cooper's control Immediately he takes Of
flee comprises the clerks and subordinates
in his own department, two Commissioners
of Accounts, who hold Office at the Mayors
pleasure only and seven members of the
Board of Education. Two vacancies at
present exist in the Police Board for full
terms and ii these shall not be previously
filled by Mayor Ely and the present Board
of Aldermen Mayor Cooper will probably
make the appointments promptly to the
new Board. But as the Police Commission
ers now holding over are the republican
members Of the Board their places will no
doubt be filed by republicans. There is
also vacancy for Mr.. Andrews unexpired
term in the Tax Department, but this will
no doubt be filed By Mayor Ely.
On May | next, besides the President Of
the Tax Department, Mayor Cooper will ap-
point one commissioner in each Of the
departments of Charities and Correction,
Docks, Fire and Excise, and Superinten-
dent Of Buildings He will appoint Com
missioner Of Public Works in December,
1879 seven members of the Board Of Edu-
cation on January /, 1890; a Commissioner
of Parks in May, 1880, and Comptroller
and Corporation Counsel in December Of
that year. ! his is certainly large amount
of patronage to distribute In q term Of two
years, without reckoning vacancies that
may occur by death, resignation or re-
moval, and if Vii these important offices are
carefully filled the city will feel the benefit
for many years to come.