The sun., 1879-03-15
PRICE TWO CENTS.
IS THE POLICE BOARD TO COZ
SUCH rs MAYOR COOPER'S IyTIMiTION
TO THE COMHISSIONERS.


President sn,ith Invited 60 Resinu-ProbasIs
Removal of Mr.. Nichols and Retiremen ens
or Cominissi"ners Wheeler and Erhardt.
Two rumors concerning Mayor Cooper
and tho Police Commissioners wers current In
political circles Yesterday. One made the re-
moval OF all tho Commissioners sure and
speedy. The other said that the Mayor had
asked President Smith and Commissioner
Nichols to resign. When aekcd as to the truth
OF the frat rumor tho Mayor said: II shall not
remove the Commiss loners to-day. You had
bettor coll tomorrow" In reply to question
concerning tho report OF the demand Of
Gen. Smiths and Mr.. Nichos's resignations,
the Mayor said: " Oh. no; haven't done that"
Then ns the reporter was going out OF the
Executive Chamber he called him back and
added: You had better say that have written
them no letters asking for their rcsignntions."
A political friend Of Mayor Cooper snid Inst
evening; The Mayor intends to get rid Of Gen.
Smith aud Commissioner Nichols. l think II
very probable that he will AJAX Gen, Smith To re-
sign. II he hHs not already dono so. He knows
that Gen. Smith is u Democrat. and not nn cs-
pecaly strong adherent of the rammany party,
the General arc friendly. Fofthos" frasrTs he
would not remove Gen. Smith without first
giving hun n chnnce to resign. But Mr..
NichOs's case Il different. He s n Tammany
Sa@hem and a pronounced political friend OF
JOun htlly. 1 NNn bellNNh tnut MT. Cooper
will hesitate 10 remove him without giving him
tho opportunity which he has afforded 10 Gen.
Con. william 7. Smith wns found AT his homa
last evening He talked freely concerning the
rumored changes In the Police Board His
conversation Indicated that there is little doulS
that tho Mayor Is contemplating the removal of
both himself and Mr.. Nichols, aud probably tho
displacepent Of both Mr. Erhardt and Mr..
wheeler by the appointment Of SUCCESSORS.
IL II true" he was asked. that the Mayor
mas re1neslnd your resignation 7"
. No. the Mayor has not. but | have had an in
timation from Mr., Andrew H. Green that my
resignation would be cceptible. and Mr. Green
eApressed the opinion that 1t would be an rnsy
way 10 arrange nators 50 that could retire In
a manner satisfactory to myself"
IL was notan OH communication. then ?"
formation that he had sufilicnt command Of
that would be satisfactory to mO"
You were not surprised nj that2'
No; | satd Immediately after the election
h9 u NJ Mr. Cooper would pro5,ablr try and get MD
But he could not do il except for cause and
answer. heard a wel-known citizen say that
MIR. Coopors plan would be To serve charges
them tho next; but do not believe i W Mayor Mayor
people Of New York city would bo likely to sp' %
Then you do not propose to hand in your
resignation In accordance with the intmation
made by M Greesn! that 1t would be acceptable
Mayor Cooper has not got our designations
yet nor do propose TO resign under the pres
ent stnte OF things"
Then you Will DO likely TO demand an open
trlnl and an opportunity TO answer tho chargos2"
That will depend upon Mayor Cooper. He
can get rid OF both Mr.. Nichols nnd myself very
easily, without an open trial. The practice has
Mayor WicSRsm % remosed Y Nuts Maise II" and DHn Dis
hacker. he gave thom only private hearing.
When Mayor Ely brought charges against the
whole Board: he gave an oppoorlunity, 70 the
Commissioners to be heard publicly. The re:
Mayor Ely WAS laughed at"
You have not any idea OF leaving any
charges against you unanswered by rendering
your resignation p
the enemy in thot way ?" said the General.
laughing.
or course there can be no truth in the re-
port of m evening paper that the Mayor in
Board within q few hours ~
Why. the Mayor and Governor together
could not do II. Tho only way that the two Re.
publican Commits sioners (ErhHrlt and WheeleH
appointed and confirmed blythe Board Of Alder,
men. Both OF their terms expired some tina
ngO and they hold over under tho law until
thor SUCCESSORS qualify. But. in tho casd
expired. II we hre removed our places may ba
iiled by Mayor Cooper's appointments without
the necessity for confirmation by the Aldermen
at lenst that Il tho view taken by some Of tha
law as It stands. ! nm not sure about that,
Perhaps my lawyer may think differently. l
have, however, heard the Tumor. as coming
from MIR. Green. that Mavor Cooper 3 pro-
grOmme WAS TO remove us. For my part | shall
not act upon Mr.. Greene suggestion without
hearing from the Governor. Mayor Cooper
cnunot be more anxious To have mo leave lhs
Police Board than have myself been AN ioua
10 20 for the last four years.