The New York herald., 1879-08-07
THE REMOVAL OF GENERAL SMITH
Governor Robinson Explains at
Considerable Length.
WHAT IT ALL MEANS.
James E. Morrison Appointed
Police Commissioner.

SaII1eS r. morrison appointed
Police Commissioner.
Scarcely had the excitement attending the pro-
ceedings brought by Mayor Cooper against Police
Commissioner Wheeler subsidized when another bomb
shell thrown into the political arena in the
shape of an order from Governor Robinson approx
ing of the Of General William f. Smith, the
president OF the Board, against whom charges were
made in March last. Early yesterday morning
rumors OF General Smiths removal began to be cir
cnlated in the various political haunts. and more
particularly in the vicinity Of the Mayors Office ut
the City Hall. Finally they took definite shape and
it became authoritatively known that the "axe had
indeed fallen and that General Smith was numbered
among the large and increasing army of exs. his
being James f. Morrison, formerly private
secretary to the Mayor o .aeHs s .traH Ae g
OF course the various steps taken by the Mayor
In his war on the Police Board came in for good
deal of First noted the general charges
that were made against Messrs Smith, Erhardt and
Nichols. followed by the alegstons against and at
tempt to remove Mr. Wheeler, The failure of the
first steps taken In the latter direction regarded
a. the prime motive in operating on the Mayor to
suse the Governor to remove General Smith.
4 sis3 ros AT THE MAYORS OFFICE. r Bt
The Mayors Office and the vestibules of the City
politicians of high and low degree hocked there from
all parts of the city. The statement had gone forth
early In the day thst Colonel Tracy, chief clerk Of
Mayor Cooper. had brought down the papers from
Albany on Tuesday afternoon. and that General
Smiths had been already designated. The
Colonel arrived at the City Hall shortly after twelve
o'clock few minutes before his chief, and i'm
medstely surrounded by host Of newspaper repre-
he was asked by HERALD reporter, while crowd
OF expectant ward politicians stood in the back
ground. s4.! .,st. if.,,s AZ ress,, +
1.-The story is true" answered Tracy. . cs ssg
"Wsre you in Albany yesterday. s lo4 sgsaosT
~ was. and got back here at half past four o'clock.
drought the removal papers with mo and showed
them to Mayor Cooper. 1t was deemed advisable not
to do anything with them until to-day" 6
Colonel Tracy then advanced to the large safe in
his Office and swinging back the ponderous door,
took from . drawer the important documents which
least for the present.
are carefully sealed. end marked my initials
the seal SO that might recognize any tampering or
attempt to tamper with them.' 4asl 6sll III
"What was the object of shch secrecy whom tho
Governor had given official sanction to General
Smiths decspitaton. and the act had virtually de-
prived him of his ofhce?' st.s siaN u p
Colonel Tracy could not give positive answer to
this query, but the impression given out during
the day at the Mayors Office, in conversation with
OF the other officials, that the delay caused
by reason of the belief in quarters" that
the removal could not be legally made without
vice Of the papers the impeached Commissioner.
The certain quarters" understood to DO half
dozen unAedged lawyers. who make it their business
to hang around the Mayors office and give wise
opinions upon questions with which they are about
familiar untamed Zulu. 0i ..
ms HONOR THE SCENE
The Mayor walked quietly into his sanctum at
hapast twelve o'clock. Politicians and others i'm
medistely gathered around his perspiring figure as
he settled himself in the revolving char in Of
tho Executive desk. 81. ffeiss ai
HAS General Smith been removedY' queried .
'whst is that?" almost inaudibly asked the
Mayor. a4 4at# .a-Ht
''Has Police Commissioner Smith been removed
by Governor Robinson?" excitedly demanded news
paper representatives.
II will see you later in the day." remarked the
Mayor. II will you all together. have nothing
to say just now"
Have tho papers been yet served upon General
Smith, or s it necessary that such a.course should
he followed in order that the removal may take
place at onceY' interposed another.
Il tell you." responded the Mayor testify. "that
i DO not wish to say anything at present. win
you at later hour of the day.
But this is q legal question, and"
The sentence was cut short by the Mayor calling
the gentlemans attention to the former utterance
- to 'later hour OF the day" BY the expression
OF his eyes 1t could be that the Mayor was not
In the best possible humor just ut that moment.
At i've O'Clock Mr.. Cooper again found in his
revolving chair. engaged in signing city warrants.
Mr.. James T. Morrison. his late secretary and now
Police Commissioner. ssuntered into the room with
an unlit cigar in his mouth Tho Mayor remarked
that he had nothing further to communicate. II
just heard Of his removal yesterday when Colonel
Tracy brought the papers down from Albany" he
said. II did not think it right to say anything about
1t until lad made effort to. ind General smith,
and gave instructions to that effect
Mr.. Morrison said that he had received his ap-
pointmsnt from the Mayor the.n night before (Tues-
day..
THE oFPIcIAL PAPERS.
The following is the Mayors letter TO Governor
Robinson removing General Smith and the Gov
srnors approval OF the act:-
Mayors OFFICE NEW York April s. 1879
hereby csr, .st Virtue Of the authority Vested IL %s
sy section 70 Of chapter s, OF tho Laws OF s5 untitled
New York" have this day lor after opportunity
% William % % the Sss Fses conn s,%
missioner OF the city Of New York" .UsA AW
The causes OF removal are -
f-rhat under the Board of Police. Of whicthe said
William h. smith member. the government disc
p!ine OF tho force become aud capabie
tue police force has Ueterorsted In efficiency aud has
become dcmorazed, and that satisfactory explanation
thereof excuse therefor has been made by
tho said william smith either himself
said Board from responsibility and blame.
SecDrf-Thst tho Board OF Police. OF which the said
William ~ smith Is member aforesaid, has not caused
the streets Of the city TO bo thoroughly cleaned from time
70 time aud kept thoroughly cleaned and has removed
from tue city daily aud often all ashes.
pianason thereof satisfactory exeuss thereor has
made by the said William r. smith exoncratng either
himself AS member OF said Board said Board
spvnsibility and blame.
Thisi--That the said William r. Smith as such Conmi
soner Of Police has been negligent discharge of
the public duties which he bound % perform.
EDWARD COOPER. Mayor.
STATE or Nkw yoRK EXECUTIVE CuAwprR
49,. . =. ALBANY, August4, 1919. ,
Whereas the Mayor Of the city has reno,
Wtiiam smith from the office Of Police
OF the city OF New York for cause after
him be hcnrd. and Mhnraas Ma. has