The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-02-23
THE POLICE BOARD TROUBLE.

EXPORTS TO SAVE GENERAL sMITH-How
MAYOR COOPER MAY BE RELIEVED OF ALL
Observation-Disclosures LATEST GOSSIP ON THE
SUBJECT
Although yesterday Washington's Birthday
the politicians did not in the least realize the
fact for they all Of them discussing what may
be called the latest phase Of the Police Board diff
Guilty From whispers that heard here and
there it was learned that in q few days, perhaps
during the coming week. strong effort would DO
made to have public examination Of the affairs of
the Police Commissioners. Those who claimed to
know all about the matter explained that under
ton 100 of the charter of 1873 ample power given
to any Ave taxpayers to have full and public inves-
tigation of any department bureau OF the city
government The section in question is as fol-
lows
SECTION 1oo-Any Alderman Comm sioner. head of de-
partmeni chief Of bureau deputy thereof clerk therein
Judge sc 's s
I, be made on application based an affidavit of the
Commissioner of Accounts Of any five citizens who
justice Of the supreme judicial depart
men directing such examination to be publicly made
ment day and hour 10 be named, less,
such examination shall he confined inquiry into any
s nd or sny Violation or 81 M Of any
law any want of mechanical qualifications for nspec
such inspector, any delinquency charged in sad
affidavit touching the office the discharge neglect Of
order that such Alderman, head Of department other
formation. such Alderman COMMITS sioner head Of de.
clerk or other Aforesaid officer or person shall
dnee such books and papers II his custody or under his
be continued from time to time such Justice may
sS the % a H ep a MOI e
however that false answer. on material points he
i Ps sS%S
other Justice Ia said district and other witnesses we
n he H.
erection Of said Justice be compelled to attend and be
tce punish refusal TO attend such examination
contempt court shall as full power aud anhor
Wy TO- enforce obedience TO me order or directions
the snprcme Court may now have. or shall possess,
whatever and shall Impose costs upon ,Sose pr"
noting such an examination not exceeding $40, II ho
cation herenbeore provided for the said paid
officer have Judgment and execution The
hesenecfose provided for shall be reduced
OF New York and be at all reasonable times
partincnt n which said officer is employed
THE "TRUE ISwARpNEss'' or THE MATTER
II will be that this law is very sweeping in it's
character. Its provisions exceedingly plain, and
although no advantage has heretofore been taken of
the section it is believed that i'll the present
IL will be used to further the purposes OF OF the
incumbent commissioners. Mayor Cooper has had
an enormous amount of pressure brought to bear
upon him in the interest General smith. but IL is
said that the facts communicated to the Chief Magis-
tratc by Commissioner Erhardt, have made the for-
nier rather tinld about mourning the responsibility
OF retaining the President of the Police Board
The Mayor would. therefore, be only too glad
TO committee of citizens take charge of
the matter, and Ii is said that General
smiths friends have been very active in
advocating the latest means devised, as Is claimed
to get fun history OF the Police Board charges. II
the i've taxpayers were friendly to General Smith as
II ia said they TO be- the examination uld prob
ably be conducted in such manner not to harm
him at all: while the other hand IL the committee
entirely unbiased and impartial. u complete
Investigation of the department could be had. In
either Mayor Cooper would be relieved from
spOnsibiity the subject Il the testimony proved
General Smith to be good commissioner he could
retain him. II. on the contrary IL was shown that
the President of the Board. along with the Commits
sioncrs, was guilty OF maieasance in Office IIis
Honor could avoid all pressure by alleging his duty
nnip fhp law.