New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-07-31
THE DEMOCRATIC FACTION FIGHT.

Tx AROUND THE CITY HALL.
The removal of Police Commissioner Wheeler has
been the subject Of rumor for some time past. 1t
was known that Mayor Cooper had the matter I'M
der consideration after the Board of Aldermen
refused to confirm his nominees for other offices,
No successor to Mr.. Wheeler has ever been nomi-
mated by Mayor Cooper, although his term of Office
expired long before the present Mayor came into
office. When charges were presented against the
other Commissioners, Mr.. Wheeler was saved Osten-
slDy because he absent from the city, although
the Mayor had KNOWLEDGE Of his intended absence.
This was said to have been in accordance with
understanding between the Mayor and prominent
Republicans that he was to retain Commissioner
Wheeler in office. The misunderstanding which
afterward arose between the Republicans
and Anti-Tammany, and the difficulty the
Mayor met with in getting Mr.. TIlden and Governor
Robinson to consent to the removal of Commits
sIoner Smith, is SAID by local politicians to have
changed the Mayors plans in regard to Commits
sloner Wheeler Believing, they say, that he could
not get such partisan confirmed as no would like
TO appoint in Mr.. Wheeers place, his only oppor-
tunity lay in getting Mr. Wheeler removed. He
could not very we'll attempt to remove him on the
same charges as those resting against General
Smith without forcing the Governor to act on the
attePs case. This the Governor would not do, be-
cause he would be forced to remove General Smith
as he had Commissioner Nichols on similar charges.
Such action would lose the Governor the support OF
General Smiths friends, whose support was very
much needed 10 effect his denomination and the
success Of the Tilden campaign generally. 1t has
been rumored recently in political circles that Mr.
Tlden felt so sure of the denomination Of Governor
Robinson that he could afford now to ALLEVIATE Cen
eral Smiths friends in order to get control OF the
Police Board.
This Board has the appointment of Inspectors OF
Election and the general charge of the elections in
this city. 1t has appointed August 10 as the time
on which to act on the appointment of the inspec-
tors 1t has also the appointment of a Captain of
Police and probably of thirty policemen in place of
that number to be detailed as a sanitary corps, and
200 more In place of those now awaiting retirement
on half pay under the law. To obtain control of
these appointments. and especially of the Election
Bureau 1t will be necessary for the Mayor to make
removals promptly, Awaiting the Governors
action on General Smiths case, he could not make
use of the same charges against Commissioner
Wheeler, and other charges have, it is said been
found on which to proceed.
William Pitt Sherman, one Of the Mayors Com
missioners Of Accounts, has recently been examin-
ing the accounts of the Police Department, ana it
has been rumored that he has discovered irreg
ularities. Yesterday good deal of excitement was
report that the Mayor had sent letter to
Commissioner Wheeler. who is Treasurer of the Po
lice Fund with copy of Mr. Shearman's report,
asking an explanation. 1t said that the latter
was sent two days ago, and that the time given Mr.
Wheeler in the Mayors letter In which to explain
the irregularities would be up last night. The
Mayor when questioned about the matter, refused
TO answer any questions telling the reporter TO call
at o'clock. As the Mayor has been IN the habit
since the advent of not weather, OF gong 10 his |
country residence regularly at p; H., the TACT OF
his being so late in his office gave color 10 The rumor
which was eagerly discussed by the polltl- |
Clans The Mayor left his office at p IN. ana re- |
turned again at o'clock when lie handed The |
TRIBUNE reporter the following written statement:
cone OF the Commissioners OF Accounts has made |
n statement 10 me in relation TO the management or
the Equipment Bureau of the Police Department; |
but have nothing different to say about 1t until
find what explanation may be made
The Mayor SAID hc had expected an explanation, !
but further than that refused 10 make any state
ment or answer any questions. commissioner OF |
Accounts Shearman also refused TO talk on the SUP
feet saving: The press will probably get all the |
details tomorrow This was regarded as confirm
ing the rnmOr that the time for an explanation
would expire last night, ana that tue Mayor wonla
probably to-day serve Commissioner W heeier with
charges based on the report of Mr. Shearman.
Various rumors atOat Ill regard to the sub
stance of the report the amount involved being
out of a difference in the amount PAD from
the Police Fund for the cloth out OF
which tho police have paid the Treasurer Tor the
same. The policemen arc required to buy me
cloth for their uniforms IRON the ConlnlssionTTs,
and are supposed to get it at cost price. The
Treasurer has had charge of tins matter and rs
the Board audits its own accounts, IL Is sad there
is practically no check except that OF the Mayors
Commissioners of Accounts. Another rum0r sad
the matter related to an Ola dehcleucy OF 9IoOpV,
and that $1,000 of this amount had been MADE
good Leaving unpaid S6oOo hoM nu uS ill., bn da
yeloped to-day. Ii Is Thought prObaOly tnat Tue
MayOr has set out TO remove Commissioners
Wheeler, and that this VIII be enected speeulIy anu
If this charge is satisfactorily explained by the
Commissioner. some other Will be made use OF 10
effect the purpose sought
COMMISSIONER wHEELER's STATEMENT.
Commissioner Wheeler was found at late hour
last night, sitting in company Win Johh l. D"'eh-
mort and other political friends on the stoop of the
Everett House When first questioned IN reference
70 the rumored report of Commissioner Shearmsn
of discrepancy in his accounts he seemed greatly
surprised He then said that he had been engaged
throughout the day attending to the bankruptcy
proc, ediugs against hun, and had not Deeh
fulIy informed as to what Mr.. shearmah nad
done. On Saturday last, Mr.: Shearnan, IN
ms absence had visited his office ana made
a thorough examination Of all the accounts Oh MS
reasurership. Mr. Shearman tnen iep9rted dnat ne
found deficit OF between $4,000 ana T9'oooj III
other words that tho moneys received by MN eA-
ceeded those paid ont, as represented ny receipts 10
that amount. He Immediately set his clerk 70
work to iinJ out wherein the discrepancy lay. He
discovered that a large sum OF money h"d 2ecu
nd the rec,Iut. for which had been lost and on
Monday alone mis- clerk had been able TO
obtain duplicates of lost receipts tsd from from
Md 'rovering S3 600 or 81 900 OF the deficit.
This wonid leave between $4,000 and SO 900 TO be
accounted for, according TO the report OF Nr smear
mans examination OF tue accounts ho hlt9huot
IA Lnve M ia accounts thoroughly examined ana
if he was assured that auy deficit actually existed,
II would be made up WITHIN I'VE minutes II IL was
81, 900 or 100000.
When asked what became of the profits accruing |
from the sale of cloth 40 an advance on cost, no
said whatever profit there was hao Deoh
turned I'm. This profit was not confined