The New York herald., 1879-03-20
NEW YORK HERALD THURSDAY MARCH 90 187aTRPLF SHEET

the said Erhardt the said Mayor charged TO have CON
taeenssitSte iaxy or ncapabiifs in the government
OF the se force % or e rs or ae
= What act the said rlardt has omitted to do which he
any his place could have done help
Of the city be to he kept more thor
be Frequently completely rsmosod from the city
Erhardt has been Negligent should have
IN respss, thereto sa. no & has no, done .oa
discussions preclude the exercise of any official
In what respect the said Erhardrs conduct has been
'"'se'"''s JOEL b. ERIARDr Police Commissioner
EXAMINING AIR. ERHARpT.
Mayor Cooper then began searching examination
of the Commissioner.
How long have you been Police Commissioner?
asked His Honor.
Mr.. Erhardt-since December. 1876; was sp-
pointed in that year believe.
Mayor Cooper-With reference to the first charge
contained in my communication to the effect that
the Police Board of which you are a member has
been guilty Of nefhciency?
Mr.. Erhardt-I have a written reply, which is now
being copied and which will. think. contain
answers to all questions of that character
Mayor Cooper-Is the charge touching the laxity
and decentralization in the police force true?
answer prepared and that ii would be here shortly.
Mayor CoOper-liaye you got 1t with you?
Mr.. Erhardt-I expect it here in very short time.
Mayor Cooper Then will await its arrival.
But. pending that, would like to ask few ques-
tions is the allegation to tho effect that the streets
cieaucQ
garbage not removed as often as necessary true?
Mr.. Erhardt-I would ask what answer Your Honor
makes to my question which asked about furnish
ing me with specifications OF the charges made
Mayor "copper" decline to answer any question
you have any answers to make to my questions
you can do 80. will be very glad to hear them.
Mr.. Erhardt-I would like my question to be an
swered.
you and want reply-yea nay.
Mr.. Erhardt steadily declined to answer and the
Mayor proceeded to consider General Smiths case.
AN EXTRAORDINARY SCENE.
During tho progress of President Smiths exam-
Everybody in the Mayors Office thunderstruck
at the novelty of the scene. which was occasioned by
an attempt on the part of Mr. Willard Bartlett and
Mr.. Ecclesinc to read the Generals answer Oh his
behalf. The matter opposed by Mr.. Cooper. say
ing in mild tone of voice, ''Now will hear what
General.Smith has to say. understand Mr.. Erhardt
desires to put in written argument"
Mr.. Bartlett was instantly his feet. In one
hand he hold volumnous document, while the
other nervously elutched q letter from his client.
II appear on behalf of General Smith," said the
counsel. addressing the Mayor:
Mayor: II addressed my rcmarks to General Smiths
and it is from him that desire an answer. l now
again ask you, General smith, If you have anything
to say in relation to these charges?'
'.He has something to say" again said Mr. Bart
lett. ''and he proposes to say it through me. his
Mayor Cooper (augrily)-I will not hear you. sir.
wish General Smith to answer the question him
self.
sires me to make for him to you statement in re-
lation to these charges.
II will not hear you." said the Mayor. deter
minedly.
OBSTINATE COUNSEL.
'But, tell you, you will hear me-" said the coun-
sellor. "Thc law under which you act declares that
hearing shall be afforded to the accused. It docs
not specify through whom the hearing shall be had.
1t is of the most precious rights in the hands Of
the people to be heard by counsel and propose To-
Mayor Cooper dnterruptinge.Mr. Bartlett. stop.
decline to nsr r H1 the Gsnsr Smith has
At this point Mr.. Bartlett proceeded to read Gen
eral Smiths defence Mayor Cooper raped for
lawyer wont on reading. not appearing to mind His
Il wish you to desst. Mr. Bartlett" at last shouted
II viii not desist." was the angry retort
Then will be obliged to put you out Of my
His Honorfelt for the electric bell that connects
his Office with the Twenty-sxth precinct station and
tapped it lightly. Sergeant Conlin promptly re-
'sStop that man. Officer" said Mr.. Cooper, cx-
citedly. he pointed to the slender form Of Mr..
The sergeant went up to the lawyer and tugged at
his coat sleeve. but the reading was still kept up in
deep. resonant tone Of voice.
to Mr.. Ecclesine, who continued the reading:
the Senator. but the latter turned around and look.
ing squarely into the officers eyes, said in defiant
manner.
.You dsren't do 1t. sir; 1 am officer Of the Su.
preme Court and in the exercise of my functions
as the defender of client and will not stop"
further orders, while Mr. Eccesne continued read
ing. The Mayor again threatened to put both Mr..
the reading went on. At time Sergeant Conlin
went up to the Senator and told him to go out and
r. Ecclosine thereupon gave the letter that he
s.Where did you leave OFF," said the latter as cool
could be. and the reading was proceeded with. In
vain tue Mayor tried to put stop to the action of
General Smith'R counsel. Tho entire asSemblaQe
in uproar Everybody in tho room
looked at one another in bcwilderment. Such
a scene had been witnessed before, and utter
astonishment depicted cverybody's counte-
nance At last the letter was finished and as the
words, civilian +. Smith. Police Commissioner %
were pronounced, the two counsellors sat down and
smiled at the astounded Mayor. Corporation Coun-
sci Whitney. who sat next His Honor. leaned over
and held short consultation with him. after which
the Mayor again asked General Smith il he had any
answer to make to the charges.
Mr.. Bartlett-He has this answer to make which I
hold in my hand and which was read. hand You
this communication on President Smiths behalf.
Mayor Cooper decline to receive it from you.
Mr.. Bartlett (handing the letter to Commissioner
Smth)-Here General Smith, hand this to me. Now
will you accept It?
Mr.. Bartlett-you can see for yourself by opening
And then. after pause. the lawyer added. '1t is
the Mayor took the paper and examined IL. Mt.
Whitney went to Mr. Bartlett and talked with
him for few moments. Then Mr.. Whitney con-
versed with Mayor Cooper. who Immediately after
..General smith, YOU are here. Have you anything
to say further in relation to these charges?"
General Smith latter consultation with his coun-
scl)-You have my answer in writing
Mayor Cooper-Do understand you to deny that
the police force has become demoralizedg
General SMITH have made my answer in
writing
Mayor Coopcr--Do you wish TO make any other
statement?
General smith, have already given my answer.
Mayor Cooperative you any further answer to
make? 1.,s,ti l.ra ~ 49,. 1. 1851
General Smith, desire TO be heard through
counsel.
This unvarying answer was returned to all subse-
quent questions of the Mayor General Smith was
rcduesseti 10 state how long he had been Police
Commissioner; whether or not he president of
the Board. but the only answer returned was the
stercotypcd one Of, II desire to be heard through
counsel
Tho whole catalogue of Mayor Coopcr's charges
were gone into, but no denial or affirmation could be
secured.
A BOArnsHEIL.
Then the Mayor took from his desk bundle OF
papers. and. looking M General Smith and his coun-
sci. said -