New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-04-07
MAYOR COOPER'S DECISION.

SENT TO ALBANY To-DAY-LErTERs OF THE
COMMISSIONERS
Nayor Co0per decided on Saturday to re-
move Police Commss OF Smith Nichols and Erhardt'
after those officials had rejected tho opportuh-
ty for second hearing rendered ny he
MAYOR The Commissioners and their coun-
sci at consultation held on Friday night
decided not to appear again before the Mayor unless ne
furnished spec fcatOns Of the charges made against
Them and allowed witnesses be examined and conn
sci 10 be heard In accordance with TINS determination
each OF the Commissioners sent letter to the Mayor o"
Saturday giving his for not appearing al the
hearing.
The Mayor had evidently determined to fully eXercTe
bis authority should the Commissioners again appear
before him, as he had Captain Wash and detah Oh
poccmen on duty in his office Besides the large num-
Der OF reporters there few spectators present.
The Mayor remained In his private Office WIN corpora
ton Counsel Whitney and few other conhdentlh au
visers, awaiting the coming OF the commissioners
Soon after IL o'clock messenger arrived with eter
from General smith, and then It became whispered
about that the Commissioners would not appear Let
ters from Commissioners Nichols and Erbdrdt arrived
later Copies OF all three letters furnish to the
press and the Mayors office was soon empty Inc
Arrangement OF the Mayor by the Commissioners ana
their caustic comments his course made MIN ieel
very indignant, and whom asked by messenger from
one of the accused officials. "f there would be any pro-
ceedines" he sharply replied tlat he thought it piece
OF impertinence on their part ask such question e
followed hrs usual course when questioned ABOUT MS
further purpose, and answered all inquiries win
polite refusal to give any information. Later II the
day. however he caused the following letter to be sent
20 each Of the Commissioners:
MAYORS OFFICE. NEw-YoRK. April s. 1879.
SIR: lam directed by the Miyor 20 INFORM you that
certificate OF your removal IRON once a. fOIce
Commissioner OF the City of NewYOrk by the Mayor,
together with his reasons therefor will De preseutea 10
his Exccnency Lucus Robinson. Governor OK me s,n'
a. l. tfya 1 v. "A ID H.
day, the 7th INST Your obedient scryen',
JANIS l.. MORRISON, Secretary
Tho Mayor said last night that he might give ont the
facts in regard to these removals, and his reasons for
making them as soon rs the papers were delivered to
the Governor to-day. The Commissioners Rad nothing
more TO say yesterday, while their counse declared tat
a fun hearing when they would show how unjust the
Mayor had been aud how ne was actuaed by rShtiGa
rocag Of the MayoIs political paTLi5an5 at rvnf
Han, Saturday night very unseemly,' Dut 10 luA
accord WITH their expectation OF place
THE COMMISSIONERS LETTERS.
Commissioner Smith in his letter to the Mayor In re-
gard to the further opportunity to be heard rendered
by the Mayor, says: lido not know what You mean.
You made some general aud indefinite charges against
me- and emphatically deny the truth Of every one OF
them. What statement, explanation or argument In
writing can you suppose that wantt make about that
denial 2" lie says further that he has hal no fair oppor
tuny to be heard; that the Mayors letter contains
despOtic and most unb coming threat Of REMOVAL that
me MAYOR preiulced and predetermined bis case and
then proposed nothing except mockery o. justice
and mar lie viii not again witness exhibition Of
Injustice and violence az he witnessed IN tIo Mayors
Office March 10, and he closes By 'plenHY Warming
ia, Mayor that the proceedings are inout sanction OF
Law and u lgrant violation OF his Legal rghis ana de-
handing specified charges, Win proof ana an Oyp0I-
tullty be heard through counsel ana 10 examine
witnesses. $500, !,
cline, 10 appear before the Mayor because he has no Of
flee to protect. and no rights OF which tse Mayor can
deprive aim; and that the appointment Oh h- successor
has net been made though long ago he requested lue
MAYOR to do so. Whether such an appointment Il |
made IN legal or decent manner says VI hrndfu,
or ilrgally Improperly. or indeceny - OF more m
portanoe To than 10 me Even II h1d an once 10
protect, Should SIM decline 10 appear De4OIt you, o
cause you do not in fact, give me an opportunity 10 be
sense the right Of accused person to be heard re-
gardug any alleged offence means right 20 be heard
wolves some sort Of statement OF what the facts
charged 70 be- This you have refused and You still re-
lLusoIs an" y ~ Ul i iii f The harm gIich Won
are bound by law give to Police Commissioner aud
the Commissioner entitled by law 70 have" He saws
mat tbe charges are utterly ials- and unfOuuded,
and f6at he can make no answer without some sort OF
evidence to reply He it Is useless to attempt
to influence the Mayors Judgment because II was |
Predetermined before he entered upon his present |
course. lie says he spent great deal Of time IN |
that wthout q word OF warning the Mayor turned upon
Inn In offensive and injurious as possible,
sucu a course. He believes the Mayor acting through
AGAINST which motives II Is de 10 argue anu tuaI tue
sending to the Governor Of certificate OF his removal
In his letter Commissioner Nichols processes not TO !
know what The Mayor means by q mlsapprueuslOn on |
his part lie that he under no mlSapprehen-
sion upon the following points: mat you declined 10
make any specification OF what You see IN 10 term the
first letter; that You All se should be removed be-
fore hearing me that you declined 10 permit me - |
have assistance of counsel before yOu" MI Nichols
says that regards these matters OF right essential,
and ADDS, Your proceeding AGAINST me Tor cause, n |
successful you well know, entails not only removal
from office, when carries with 81 certain degree uf
Odlum. but also the pcuuy and stigma OF qualified dis
reimbursement, and you eau hardly believe IL Is the pol
icy law TO place person IN sucu jeopardy with
.fO ding him the opportunity Of having some spcc-
catIuu OF Tie charge against him. or hardly expect |
that would icOpard.zc ms good name aud position |
accorded IT. giants the tri1ug sums He !
then states that II the Mayor viii furnish DpccncAOuS
the Clar-cs produce witnesses to -uDsi 9utie them,
and allow evidence ana the assistance 81 cOuu-
sci, he will appear before him, but not Othei wise.
EAGER FOR THE COMMISSIONERS HEADS. |
The General Committee of the Anti-Tam- |
many Democrats mot IN Irving Hal Saturday night,
aud passed resolutions denouncing Tammany Hall rs |
an Organization OF corrupuoni-ts" and Henry Gumbie
ton as u notorious contumaciOu', fai.hiesJ and !
dishonest county officer" Governor Robinson was |
eulogized for his in removing County Clcik |
Gumbleon. and for his other Official acts, aud the
removal OF the Police Commissioners was demsudtd. |
The publication OF the testimony furnished the Mayor
showing gross rproproties the part OF tho Police
Commissioners, asked for though tho Mayor has !