New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-09-11

VINO slowly worked his way to the front this plan,
asked:
"Mr Kelly what Is your opinion Of the movement to
Dust the county oucialsi7 the Controller replied with
p smile
"That Is the uestiOn-what is the movementP
"D,d you read the statements aud interviews in this
mornings TRIBUNE" he again asked, +" which show
that charges exaong Illegal fees are 20 be preferred
against tho County Clerk Sheriff and Register with
view to securing their removal by the Governor
"Y s." he answered guardedy, at have read what
THE TRIBUNE says about the matter"
"what DO yOu think about it 50
81 don't think It amounts to much OF anything that
concerns the public welfare"
Had you heard before Of the preparation Of such
charges or that such movement was meditatedP
"Yes four or FIVE months ago, Immediately after the
adjournment OF the Legislature Then am told one OF
the gentlemen represented by interview IN this morn
ing's TRIBUNE told Mayor Ely that an attempt would De
mace to remove the county officers in the manner no"
suggested Recently this gentleman called again upon
Mayor Ely. and explained that for good reasons Tue
plan had not carried into effect earlier The proper
time had now arrived however, and ne offered 10 make
wager with the Mayor that charges would be preferred
against the Sheriff. County Clerk and Register within
two or three weeks"
What do you think OF the administration OF those
county oftcesP
81 believe that there are not three other offices in the
State COn0nCteQ Win more caro- pIuuouOo
Mr. Gunbeton has been the County Clerks Office for
fourteen years. Sheriff Reilly was a deputy when
was Sheriff. and like the CoGny Clerk is Jealous OF nus
reputation as faithful public officer. Register LoeW
made high reputation while on the bench"
"What do you think is the motive Of this Anti-Iam-
many movements"
THE TRIBUNE tells the whole story. 1t is a move
nept in the interest Of Mr. Tden, 10 break down the
Democratic organization this city, by eDdeayormg 10
make appear that good cause for the removal
OF these officials Such a proceeding Tor such enus
would be revolutionary character and II State OIL
Gers are to remove subordinate officials by such partisan
expedients we might almost well live under des-
potism II they try to out their purposes IN the
end they will probably hurt themselves more than the
county officials"
"Under what law can the Governor remove themi"
oThere is q law which gives the Governor the power
of removing county officers for cause. but only after
hearing would be compelled to cite the officers be
fore him. or appoint referees 10 take the testimony on
the sufioieuey Of which he must base his action"
"In case the Governor should remove the officers Oh
weak testimony, what action could they takef"
aDoubtess they should be Ousted for political rea-
sons thoy would submit the action Of the Governor TO
the Court Of Impeachment aud expose the motives and
reasons which influenced their removal But cannot
understand how man OF honest judgment could lend
himself to such an unusual proceeding designed to fur
Ver purely partisan aims by arbitrarily crushing pot-
Gal opponents"
derive strength from the success Of this moyementf
"No it would disgrace every man having anything TO
do with It. Governor Robinson most Of all All the
shame attaching TO such prostitution Of his power TO
the political ambition OF man, would follow him TO
the grave"
"Wbat do you consider to be the reason that pro-
oeedngs are taken against these particular ofcersP
because they friendly TO tho organization which
IS hostile TO Mr. Tlden. II this man@uvre Is carried out
as piece OF political strategy, other people will be
warranted on much stronger grounds 10 making
charges against heads Of departments who are friendly
90 the AntTammany party. And this could be done in
the interest OF the city don't approve Of that sort Of
political warfare every head Of department should
stand or fall on his honesty eapabiy as a public
officer without regard his politics. The interests Of
the city at all times should be looked after without re-
gard 20 politics. In no other way the affairs Of
department properly administered II public officers
are to be influenced solely by political considerations,
and forthe purpose Of eeong selfish ends state Of
anarchy viii result"
'If these officers are removed viii the Tammany Or
ganizatiOn be weakenedF
"Not at ali. Such warfare wOuld strengthen Tam
many. 1t wouldn't require superior intelligence TO com
prehend such @ political makeshft The people don't
sympathze with the party leader that employs such
methods. But as Father Richie, Of The Richmond
Enquirer, used to say. 'Neus yerrOns,' and before
much more can be said the subject we must see
what we shall see :" aud Mr. Kelly tapped his bell and
picked up the card the head OF the line, which had
crown with the arrival Of several visitors in the outer
oa1a