The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-27
STRANGE POLITICAL RUNORS.
How Tannany May Control the City
Patronage Next Year.
AN ECONOMICAL" MOVEMENT.
Reports That the Wigwam Is To Be
Recognized.

There dearth of gossip and speculation in
the political world yesterday. The events of the past
few days have formed but the base upon which tho
politicians have exercised their speculative powers
and put forth theories to what win be the next
move ON the political chessboard. The rumors that
have been current for weeks past to the probable
removal or suspension Of Mayor Cooper after Janu-
airy given fresh life by the nomination and
confirmation OF Jacob NJ Patterson, Jr.. as Police
Justice. The excuses that were offered to account
for the Mayors action in this respect have been
fully detailed in the HERALD. Mr.. Patter-
sons well known intimacy with Mr.. Cornell.
the Governor elect. was, it is alleged. the
sole motive for Mr.. Cooper's proceeding. He had
become thoroughly convinced that. according to
popular report. attempt would be made to
shorten his term of official life. and with view
to checkmating the operations of his political
enemies he, upon the advice of few friends, con-
cluded to give Patterson ''fat' Office 1t would APP
pear from what has been gathered from various
sources that the apprehensions OF the Mayor were
not by any means groundless. That 1t was intended
to ask Governor Cornell to remove His Honor very
few we'll informed persons now deny. Indeed 1t
has come to be well known that the leader OF Tam
many and some of his henchmen went
far as to discuss the matter over several
times. At each conference there not by any
means o unanimity of sentiment feeling on the
subject. 1t was urged by those opposed to the
scheme for getting rid the Mayor that it would be
very impolitic to take such desperate measures
against him. 1t would be only making political
martyr out Of Mr.. Cooper. and there many other
ways to hamper him in his official duties Tam
manys leader. however, did not. so the story goes
at rst of these objections to having his
old enemy retired private lfe Had he not helped
to secure the election of Cornell to make Of him
afFaiv fhac it That
all his labor amount to If he could not
have the Mayor put out of his path?
| number Of the leaders in tho Tammany
| organization. however, announced themselves as
| being strongly against this project that the
| matter not decided on. except on the part
OF some OF the officials who were removed by
| Aldermen comes into office on the lst of January
it is hoped that u Tamnany member will be elected
president Of that body. If the present combination
| between Tammany and the rep ubhcans is kept up
| this easily be accomplished. The Board viii
| stand nine Iammany men, seven anti-Tammany
men and republicans. 1t will be seen. however,
| that union between auti-Tammany and the repub-
lcans would have the effect destroying this pro-
| gramme but Tammany men argue that such a union
will not and cannot be made. From present appear
ances it is argued this would appear to be true,
but there is telling what change may take place
| in the situation when the charges that 1t il ru-
mored will be preferred against the Mayor are
laid before Governor Cornell That official can i'm
mediately suspend Mr. Cooper. and the President OF
the Board Of Aldermen would become acting chief
law, perform all the duties that would legally de-
| volve upon the suspended Mayor. Nominations
| could be made 10 the Aldermen. and "good Tam
many men, could. is represented. be accommo-
dated with most tempting places under the city
government. The patronage that will be ut the dis
| posal OF the Mayor next year is very great.
| WILL THIS METHOD BE ADOPTED?
But many shrewd observers OF political events say
that no attempt to disturb the Mayor will be made.
He will. according to these gentlemen. be allowed to
servo his whole term out. at least Mr. Cornell not
| making any effort to remove him. Whatever Efforts
made the part OF removed officials to punish
MIR. Cooper for alleged illegal acts i'll their cases do
not enter into the calculations OF these persons.
They, however. claim that there IL necessity Tor
| shortening the Mayors term.
"What is the use OF doing thatr said arepublican
Of prominence in city affairs. last night to HERALD
reporter. I'VE can accomplish our purposes in .
SIN what mannerY" questioned the reporter
'n tell you must ask that my name should not
appear in the matter. because it would place in
then. I'll give the outline of the programme that, in
my Judgment. will be adopted by those in authority
| have reason believe came from person very near
| to Mr.. Cornell. In the first place all legisla-
ton year will be shaped with the view Of
ing the expenses of the city government in New
York. If in doing that we happen to injure some Of
the anti-Tamnany people 1t cannot be helped
| Economy is to be the wstchword."
| "How will you proceed to diminish expensesw
| "First, by consolidating some OF the departments
and bureaus. and second. by making one-headed
| commissions. Suppose begin with the building
| Department Or what use Is it2 The duties Of the
| employees are nominal. Make this department bu-
reau in the Department oil Public Works and you
effect saving OF thousands OF dollars single
year. Then give the Police Department single
head-snd. by the way. in that way get rid OF
Mayor Cooper's and ex-Comptrollcr Green's pets"
| THE BUREAU OF ELECTIONS.
| ''How about the bureau of Elections?"
''rnat seeming difficulty is easily adjusted. Make
that al independent bureau and put John J. O'Brien
other at the head of 1T. Associate
one else of opposite political views with him, aud
every thing will go on much more smoothly than it
has done during the past few years. Make separate
| bureau OF street cleaning and place a competent
man at the head OF it. AL this would save round
sum to the city and the work would be very much
| better performed than 1t IL at present"
''How about the other departmeLts?"
"Make them all single-headed commissions, put
good man at the helm of the Park Department and
have man familiar with the needs aud necessities
of the shipping interests to manage the Department.
OF Docks. For that matter it might be deemed add
visible to abolish tho latter department You
very easily legislation in this direction would
stirring one. and affects rich well poor. Be-
sides. by adopting this issue next year we can
euchre the Mayors party and obtain control of an
immense amount Of patronage. either for ourselve
our friends
"But can the Legislature select the men who are
to be at the head Of the new commissions and de-
partinontsv"
mot by having their names form ally put in the
bills. That would be unco constitutional. There is o
way, however, by which the thing can be success
fully worked. In all the measures of the character
proposed the party who has been chosen to I'LL the
position can be designated and the bill be made
to after this fashion-The person who held the
office of mentioning the place. on the giving the
datel shall hereafter be known and designated as
chief of the department of -. aud shall
possess all tho powers, prerogatives, rights
and immunities heretofore possessed by the
said Department OF -. In this manner you
see how any person be placed in charge of de-
partnent bureau under the order of things.
That some move of this kind is intended ieel
tain. That It will be made am sure-that Is, unless
unforeseen circumstances should arise In the
of the legislative session."
number Of other gentlemen, when approached
by q HERALD reporter on the subject of such legs-
laton being attempted. corroborated what IL given
above in the main. but refused to do this unless
pledge of secrecy was given to withhold their
names from publication.
Ex-police Commissioner Sidney p Nichols was
seen yesterday by tho reporter and asked q TO
his intention to prefer charges against Mayor Cooper.
Mr.. Nichols said he had heard rumors that such
action would be takcn but for himself no could say
that he had thought nothing about the matter yet.
The su bject SO far he understood, was in tho
la nds OF Mr.. john D. Townsend, his counsel. Ex-
County Clerk II. A. Gumblcton also said that he had
taken any steps to have the Mayor removed and.