The New York herald., 1879-11-25
MAYOR cOOPER'S SURPRISE.
John R. VOOrhis Confirmed as Police
Commissioner by the Aldermen.
POLICE JUSTICE PATTERSON.
The Mayor Accused Of Making deal"
with the Republicans.


ized the official intercourse of Police Commissioners
James L. Morrison and Charles II. Mclean were
ended yesterday by the former resigning his posi-
tion, which Mayor Cooper promptly filed by ap-
pointing Mr.. John r. Voorhis in his place. His
Honor also surprised the politicians by sending in
to the special meeting Of the Board Of Aldermen the
uame of Mr.. Jacob M. Patterson, Jr. as Police
Justice IN place of Mr.. George Z. Kasmire,
deceased Mr.. Yoorhis. the new Police Commits
soner. is about fifty years of age and formerly held
the position. having been appointed by Mayor Have
meyer in july 1874 During 1873 he acted as Excise
Commissioner. Ho is anti-Tammanv democrat
aud a resident of the Ninth ward. Not single OBJ
lection made to Mr.. Patterson when his name
sent in to the Aldermen yesterday. All the men,
bers present. Tammanyites, anti-Tammanyites and
republicans voted in favor of his confirmation. Mr..
Patterson is q native OF this city, having been born
in the Seventeenth ward in 1888. His family
Is old one, its members having resided
here for over one hundred years. During few
months Of 1886 Mr.. Patterson held the position Of
Pension Agent. During the latter year he was also
Chairman oil the Republican Central Committee Of
thisacounty. The next position he held was that OF
Excise Commissioner. his colleagues being Messrs.
Morton and Murphy Shortly after Murphy became
dcfaulter and left the country Mr.. Patterson re-
signed the Excise Commissionership. When the
anti-Tammany and republican combination was
cemented In the Board of Aldermen in January of
the present year Mr. Patterson made Chief Clerk
He now energies from the City Hall as a Police
Justice the appointment to last for years ut an
annual salary of $4,000. Mr.. Z. j. Twomey present
Deputy Clerk OF the Board of Aldermen, has been
appointed to fhthe unexpired term of Mr.. Patterson
PoLITIcAL GOSSIP.
o. course the action of Mayor Cooper as well as
the course pursued by the members of the Board of
tha aut,ia tof
tcal circles all yesterday afternoon and evening" No
body appeared to know exactly what the new change
Of affairs portended and the usually astute and
well informed quidnuncs acknowledged that they
were "all at sea-" The fact that Mr.. Morrison
resigned was not considered a sensa-
ton, because such action his part has
been contemplated for some days past.
Rumors regarding his impending departure
rom official lite ut headquarters have been
surrent ever since he appointed to succeed
General Smith. aud these rumors assumed a some
what definite shape Saturday last. His friends
assert that he could not, consistent with self-re-
spcct continue AS member OF the Police Board. His
Is said. OF the unfriendly character Mr. Mac
Lean. 1t is rumorcd. dcsirous OF securing
large share OF patronage for himself and did not take
into consideration the tact that he entitled to
but one-fourh OF all appointments that were to be
made Probably the first disagreement that occurred
between tho Commissioners took place some
weeks since. There were, SO the story
goes. twelve vacancies to be filled in the
department. Under the customary unwrit-
ten patronage laws" each member OF the
Board was entitled to name candidates for three of
the places. Mr. MacI.ean was appealed to, but he
1t IL said. wanted than his share in fact it is
laid. hc claimed the right to fill more than one-haf
fact that before General Smith went out or Office
that gentleman wss allowed to appoint number Of
men But his colleagues did not the matter in
that light. They consulted with Mr.. Morrison ex-
planned to him the condition OF affairs and asked
him to 80 in with them and divide up the twelve
Wheeler. leaving hr. MacLesn in the
cold Mr.. Morrison being besieged by po-
that his colleague hal retu sed the offer first made
Whom the Board met twelve were added to Me
force against the protest of Mr.. MacLean who was
allowed to have nothing to do with the appoint
ments. This story Is now "going the rounds" and
is regarded by number of politicians being tho
basis Of the mutual dislike shared by each OF the
gentlemen. From tnat time to tho present the rela-
tions between the two have been anything but
pleasant. Only u few days ago open rupture oc-
Cured between the Commissioners, and Mr. Mac
Loan il is SAID. complained to Mayor Cooper that he
was constantly being thwaried by his colleague in |
the discharge ms duty. The pressure brought to
bear on His Honor was great, including personal
requests Oh the part OF Mr. Morrison to be relieved
from the duties ot his position. that the Mayor
yielded after he had decided upon the gentleman
who was 10 be Mr.. Morrison's successor.
Low THE APPOINTMENTS ARE REGARDED.
There is considerable growing in the anti-Tam-
many camp over the selection OF Mr.. voorhis as
Police Commissioner. The prominent leaders Ia the
organization would much rather have seen Mr. Nor
rison remain in the Board if he was to resign
they would have preferred to q gentleman W
had been worker in the party succeed him. Many
Of them ask, "Who In Voorhis, and what has he
done to merit such fine place?'' Tncir muttcrings
however. are not unnixed with something very
much akin to pleasure. AZ they contemp plate the
breaking, ut least for the present OF tho
between the Tammany and republican mcni-
bers of the Common Council. Mayor Cooper
absolutely denies that the nomination OF Mr.. Pat
terson Tor Police justice was the result OF any
deal his part. and the justice-ele makes sini
lar statement. Notwithstanding these deuinls how.
sver the opinion is freely expressed that His Honor
N Sala Mr.
ns the lato Justice kgsmiro's successor IL must be
remembered in this connection that Mr. Patterson
was selected Clerk OF tho Cannon Council on tho
irst day of January last the result or the deal
between anti-Iammany and the republicans. Upon
the formation OF n between Taminany aud
the republicans Mr.. Patterson still continued In
his position and indeed. 1t is said that he was one
of the most pronounced advocates OF the latest
alliance. Taking this fact into consideration. many
stand the course pursued by Mayor Cooper. Those
who profess to be in the secret. however. explain
the matter in this way:-An attomps will be made |
In January or February next to have Mayor Cooper |
removed from Office; charges will DO made ~ Cow
ernor Cornell arraigning him for alleged illegal acts
Ia regard to the performance of various Official |
duties devolving upon him by law. Ever since tho |
electi n he has been planning how to euchrc tho |
attempt OF his political enemies. and somo OF |
him which, IL carried out they said they
believed would result in retaining him In Office
until the close OF his term. appoint Mr. Patter-
son.. said these gentlemen. "Poce Justice. He has
long been looking eagerly for the place, and there
~ W way 10 tnan
bition. Mr.. Patterson has powerful influence with
Mr. Cornell-more, i'll fact. than all the other mcm-
bcrs OF the republican party in the city combined.
II you appoint Patterson Police Justice you will |
nave powerful ally in tho republican camp. and
one, too. who will and can look out for your In
terests 1t Albany in tho Legislature wo as IN the
Executive headquarters" These points were so CO.
gently and rorcbly put, 1t is averrei. that Mayor
Cooper, after furthcr consultation. agreed TO
nominate Patterson, with the result already
known. number of gentlemen. however. insist
that His Honor must have had some understanding
with the republican Aldermen on tho subject and
last night 1t was generally thought that OK Police
Comm issioner Morrison would soon be appointed
Police Justice In place Of Henry Murray whose term
OK ONCE has expired. Mr. Charles II. Truax's name
but tho May ORGAN withdraw his nomination at n,,v
time and substitute Mr.. Morrison any body else
MIR. Morrison, 1T IN claimed would bc CONFIRMED hut
of this some doubt Is expressed by many politcians
rAMMAsy THE RAGGED EDGE"
Tho Tammany politicians thunderstruck
yesterday. or at least some OF them affected to be