New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-12-03
MR.. COOPER AND THE POLICE BO1RD.

AN ALLEGED INTRIGUE TO PLACE ANTI-TAMMANY
MEN ~ THE BOARD-DENIALs OF RUMoRs.
As the time for the Inauguration of Mayor
elect Cooper approaches tho rumor increase In regard
to the changes he will probably make among the subor-
dnaes OF the City Government The latest OF these r-
mors concerning the makeup OF the Board OF Police
That Board is IN peculiar condition at present. tho
terms OF two OF Its members having expired, and the
present Mayor apparently having decided that he will
not nominate their SUCCESSORS. The Commissioners
whose terms have expired DE Witt c. Wheeler and Joel
d. Erhardt, both Republicans. Mr.. Cooper publicly
announced before his election that he would keep the
Board OF Police nonpartlsan that the places of its
members who holding over unduestioLaDly VIII DO
filed by Republicans. The terms Of the other two Com
nissioners Mcssrs Smith and Nichols, both Tammany
Democrats, Will not expire for some time.
The rImor Of yesterday was in relation to the Demo-
cratic members OF the Board. 1t decaredion SEEM
ney good authority, that the leaders of tho AntIam
many party preparing charges or interference
with voters during the late election against Com
mlssioners Smith and Nichols. 1t was asserted
that documentary proof OF this interference
had been obtained. Tho charges. It was stated,
,ronld not be preferred until Mayor Ely's term
had expired They would be presented TO Mr. Cooper
however as he was Installed In Office IL was
believed that he would instantly remove these officers
with Governor Robnsons consent. and MI their places
with AntTammany Democrats. Another part Of this
ment Of Commissioner Wheeler aud the appointment In
Mr. Erhardrs place OF some other Republican. This
"o,bcr Republican" was asserted 10 be Sheridan
Shook.
Commissioner Wheeler in reply to an Inquiry whether
or not he had heard such rumor during the day. sald
last night: NO; have heard nothing OF the kind ana
doubt whether Mr. Nichols has, for saw him late this
afternoon and he did not mention II. think the Anti
Tammany people may make charges against the captain
81 an OH
Tenth Precinct for interference In the election"
Nelson j. Waterbury one OF the leaders OF the Anti
Tammany party and an intimate personal friend OF
Mayor-eect Cooper, was asked az ms nouse IN WIS.,
Twenty.nnt-s last night If he had prepared charges
againsi Police Commissioner Nichols and Smith. He
replied: ana ,o, ma
,,red Inv members OF the organization 20 which belong
IL charges preferred AGAINST any OF he fohce
tbev interfercd with voters. Tie members OF our
organization feel very friendly TO INNS thd
wheeler aud AGAINST Of the tue us s" Of the
police further Tammanys INTEREST," S,, AS f fOr
commissoner smith, nt soId IaTe unnconamIsd with
politics and OF the dangers o, lhe POSITION NC
took in opposition to CommsonerS wheeler aI nar G
hnrdt. They would not, think prefer charges
AGAINST him In this election DAY mn'ter. ~
charges are made they WILL l,ring tn r5ier "e than
The pressure nut upon voters. commissioner
Nichols you know, has charge OF the street ceaiing
am chairman OF the committee appointed Dy tne hNnS
Hall Democracy Ia inyesgate the conduct OF the police
election day SO far we have D,9Tgnt haTd hom
If there had been any movement toward preferrinS
CHARGES against the Commissioners theihugite 80 .,
"Mr. Cooper intends" continued Mr. Waterbury, , 10
nominate persons to I'LL the place OF MessIs' Wheeir
aud Erhardt soon after his nangu,ap ,hcr AS n h
p"rsons OF that political faith will undoubtedly be
selected. There arr rumors OF NV ~ an bane
that ought TO be made. The Controllers Department
ought divided into three Thst oncer QUIZ. noe
10 have any political patronage; TIC shou o' 0'''' "
auditing Uficer.n