New-York tribune., 1879-04-08
TIE MAYORS LETTER.

could not give hlm copy.
THE MAYORS LETTER.
HE DECLARES THAT me COMMISSIONERS HAVE HAh
FAIR OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD. But HAVE
OFFERED no SATISFACTORY EXPLANATION OF
The OFFENCES CHARGED-A REVIEW OF TIE
CASE or EACH OFFIClAL-HIs ONLY COURSE 10
REMOVE THE THREE COMMISSIONERS.
The following are the main features of the
Mayors letter:
MAYORS OFFICE, SEw-YoRK April ,. 1879.
To His Ercellency LUclUs ROBINSON, Gorehor or ne
STATE Of NeU- York;
SIR Tue charter OF the city provides that in all cases
of removals by the Mayor be shall communicate TO tho
Governor in writing his reasons for such removal
transmit herewith my certificates Of the removal or
Police Commissioners Erhardt Nichols and Smith, with
the following statement Of my reasons therefor:
There no branch Of the local government whose adj
mnstraion closely touches the people than that OF
the Department Police The security Of life and prop
erty largely dependent upon the discipline and e-
cheney of the foree the elections held in the city under
tie cement contro and, what is essential to the
health comfort convenience OF the citizens the
and cleanliness OF the streets, intrUsed TO it.
At the time OF my accession 10 Office in January last
the public mind greatly disturbed over the con-
dtion OF the Department. I had just entered upon
inquiries into the affairs and conduct OF the Depart
ment, giving such attention TO the matter as other
pressing public duties would permit, when all and much
more than had previously been sail against the ad-
mnistraton Of the Department received tie support
OF an authoritative declaration the part OF Com
missioner Erhsrdt who at the regular meeting OF the
Board on January 81 last offered the following pre-
ambles and resoluton
Tnereas The condition OF the discipline Of tho Police
Force Is such 10 awaken the most serious comment,
and the condition or the various bureaus IL open 10 ct'
Whereas, Owing to carelessness and inebrety among
the members OF the Police Board, most damaging in
nuence on the whole Department has been exercised;
ReSoired That the Mayor Of the City Of Ne-York be
requested to investigate this Department without delay
Instead Of taking up these charges and chalenging
the investigation proposed the other members o: the
Board Of Police decided that Mr.. Erhardts accusations
should filed thus in effect determining that far
as they concerned nothing should be done about
them.
few days later there appeared in the public press
over the official signature OF Commissioner Erhardt
letter rminc the necessity OF his resolutions and
the truth the Implications therein contained and also
stating length other why an investigation OF
the department should be made.
On the day after its publication this explanation "
was read to the Board Of Police and ordered file.
thereupon requested Mr.. Erharlt in writing, To inform
facts upon which his allegations were based
To this Mr. Ernardt replied eyasiyey 10 furtheh
repetition OF u. request ne made iuther efasye re
ply coupled wit the msstatement that lie had already
informed me OF al the principal facts which asked
nun 40 ~, a @ % m % ,n ,hn oS ono,he,
Commissioner Of Police. then requested him 10 ap'
pear before and give the desired information.
on February -, aud several subsequent days,
Commissioner Erhardt came before and submitted
many pa pers and made extended statements. HIS an
swers were IN many respects eVaslye ana lntiested
disclose the whole truth concerning tue Department.
copy OF the sten0graphc minutes of these interviews
was delivered each of the other Commissioners,
Whatever publicity was given TO them came ihIOugn
OF her agencies than mine ieXcude from consideration
oncernng the other Commissioners, the ex pare state
meuts Of Commissioner Erhardt to me- aud make no usd
Of them except as to him.
IN state filthy as TO he source OF great
discomfort TO our citizens, serious mpediment 10
nd 1.u IN fnp ll2 fle
abuses being IN the portion OF the ey occupied 10y tue
tenement houses Win their crowded population where
mounds OF ashes garbage and refuse were allowed 10
It appeared rom the records OF the department that
the number made had been rapidly decreas'
ing since 1876, being 600 less in 1877 than In 1876
is 900 less than In 1876; wae years ls7l 1875
and 1876 variations small, in case exceed.
year the arrests about 1000 5000 less
than during the same period In either OF the last pre-
After the close OF the interviews with Commissioners
Erhardt ard while was considering how best 10 cor,
rect the existing evils, reee we'd from C3mmlslones
Smith, just before was given to the public press,
letter wherein he denounced the communication OF
Commissioner Elharlt me, the dclamatory state
mems OF scaudalmonSer, characterized 1hrOugbout'
sion
roratiOn efficiency the force and the neglect OF
Board 10 perform It's duty In respect TO street clean
ING became convinced that the Board, constituted,
could not be relied upon correct the existing abuses.
and that il duiy 10 remove snch Ot the eomts.
soners should be unable satisfactorily 10 show that
they personally chargeabe with maadmlnistra'
ton and NJ gect of the Board.
Anxious proceed within the spirit well as the let
ter OF the law Examined the statutes relating 10 my
powers Informed self OF the methods adopted In
similar cases by predecessors. IL did not appear
that they acted establish system or prac-
tce or leave prccCdcnts which should DC followed.
It did appear from the statutes that the proceeding
could the nature OF trial, rs no authority IA
given administer oaths or 20 compel anyone 20 give
evidence. | also applied TO the Counsel 70
the Corporation concerning the nature or thd
hearing provided for. HIS Interpretation OF the Law
agreed with mine. received from hnn an opinion
hich was subsequently, and before the hearing re-
duced to writing In which he states that there Is no
Tie case of the contemplated removal Of head OF de-
partmCnt
FIRST STATEMENT OF CAUSES or REMOVAL
Although no causes of removal are by law required "a
be assigned before tho hearing in order TO give the
Commissioners the alrest opportunity, prepared com
munica,Ion containing statement OF such certain
causes or facts with which had become acquainted
through my own observation, or the official records
made by the Board from other reliable Information
which communication was as follows:
MAYORS OFFICE, YORK, March IA, 1879.
SIN. Hinder the Board OF Police. OF whoh you are Q
member the government and discipline OF the pole,
force have become lax ana incapable the pore: orc'
has efficiency and 1t has become demor
Tue Board OF Police, Of which you are member,