New-York tribune., 1879-05-21
ATALK WITH PRESIDENT MOTT.

Jordan l.. Mott, president of the Board OF
Aldermen was found last evening al his home IN Mott
Haven where he has been confined for two months by
an injured knee. Though suffering considerably from
recent iujudcious attempt 10 walk, he very much
interested in which the reporter brought him.
1T serves them just right" ne said "I have told
the Anti-Tanmany members, several OF whom have
called on me- that they ought not 10 have hesitated
q moment about voting 10 confirm Mayor
Cooper's nominations. They should have voted
TO confirm them both because it was in keep
Ing with the spirit of their understanding with
The Republicans last year. and because it the only
policy they could safely pursue they expected the aid
OF the Republicans next year saw plainly, and said
that be the result or later OF their bolt
ing policy They should have considered that the Re
pubhclns held the balance Of power and would become
disgusted and use IL against them"
"Was there, at the time you were made president Of
the Board an agreement between the Republicans and
Anti-Tammany men 10 give the presidency of the Tax
Board the Republicans; has there ever been any
open bargain between these two parties g?
"Ican answer no TO beth parts OF the question.
Ms to my own appointment, if there any
bargain never knew Oft. did not want the Office
and do not care hold IT, Perhaps am laid up here
and unable attend to its duties, ought to give 1t up
There has been any open agreement between the
Republicans and AntiTammanyites We have mad sew
eral informal caucuses together, and 1t has al
ways been tacitly understood that the factions
would act together ! the Mayor made
his nominations IN good faith and think they onght TO
have been confirmed at Mayor Cooper called on
me the Sunday before he made his nominations. He did
not know then who the nominees were 70 be- When
asked in January what show the Republicans were to
have he replied Just exactly the representation
as at present. He kept his word, and ought 10 have
been sustained without delay"
What do you suppose Influenced the Anti-Tammany
IN their course T.
cit Is hard TO say. There was peculiar outside IL
fuence brought 10 bear upon every one OF them which
-f.n1t nat
weight"
"Do You not think the Anti-Tammany men have
violated the spirit and the taclt agreement between
Themselves and the Republicans; ard that the latter
were justified combining with t4e IammaDy members
OF the board 2"
Most aesurody so. The honorable course was for
then to vote confirm the MavOr's nomiueas told
we had 70 DO was 20 right ahead and confirm them
and let the consequences he what they might
The Anti-Tamuany men have allowed themselves
10 be Outgeneralied. ana must put up with
The result The combination with TammaDy was
n shrewd political manGuvre, and whoever engineered
il deserves q good deal OF credit IL the Apti-1ammany
men could have fOrCseen the Significance OF General
Arthut's conferences with John Kelly, tins climax
would have been avoided"
"Would you have voted for the confirmation oi all the
nominees Ii you had been present at the Board today 81
would. have Mr.. French and ike his appear
ance very much. / regret that Mr.. DAILY was not con
frned. cannot help laughing at the turn things have
taken, though sorry they nave come out so. The
Apu-Taminany men have made bad political blunder,
and lost q great deal by il. Perhaps they will learn
lesson from II; IL Is TO be hoped so, at any rate"