New-York tribune., 1879-04-09
FIGHTING MAYOR COOPER.


SENATOR HOGAN MOVES FOR AN INQUIRY REGARD
ING THE PROPOSED REMOVAL or TIE POLICE
! CoMMIsSIONERs-THE MOTION PASSED.
| pROM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT or THE rRIBUNEl
ALBANY April 8.--The political conflict that
has ragged for three weeks past about the Board OF Ponce
OF Ncw-York called to the attention OF the LeGisa
ture to-day by Senator Hogan The Senator, as IA wei
known acquired profound knowledge Of law while serv
ing as a Police Justice in NewYork City several years
ago legal questions involved in the removal of the
Police Commissioners attracted his attention Yesterday
and as the result of his examination he offered the FOL
| lowing resolution today:
Whereas The terms Of two Commissioners OF Police in
the City or NewYork viz, of ID. G. Wheeler and Joel b.
Erhardt have expired. and than ten days have
elapsed since the said terms of office have expired and
whereas 1t by the charter OF said city, made the duty
of the Mayor OF the city nominate TO the Board or
Alderman Of said city successors to the said Police
their terms OF office; and, whereas no such nom ma
lions have been made ana an choIt has been made 70
Erhadt with view to appoint h'S successor without
continuation OF the Board Oi Aldermen, IN disregard or
the provisions Of the chartered rights OF the city anu the
PtsGIred Thai the Committee Cities Of this Senate
be authorized and directed to inquire into the validity
of such proceedings for the removal Of said Police Com
pissopers whose term of Office expired. And for
purpose OF this inquiry they arc authorized 10 send
evidence the Gi,y OF NewYOrk they deem II neees-
| sary.
After offering the resolutiOn. senator Hogan said that
the removal OF the Police Commissioners made clear the
fact that there certain persons there who desired
70 remove from office who opposed TO them In
politics. and who not particular as To the means
Mayor Cooper's removal OF Commissioner Erbardt was
clearly illegal Mr. E,hardfs term had expired. and 1t
was Mayor COopers duty to send 10 the Board OF Alder
men the name OF his successor This the Mayor
did not do. On the other hand, after i0ur
months delay he sir. Ernardt on Ger
tain charges ana refuses him a hearing The OBJ
ject of this extraordinary proceeding was to get
new Board of Police, without asking the consent OF
the Board Of Aldermen. The next proceeding would be
securing OF the election machinery II was des-
perae scheme and Republicans ought to take warning
Senator P0merOy Rep) said lie did not nave any SYM
pathy with the Mayor although he thought the resOlu
ton little premature i would be better TO wait and
see what the Governor did about tae matter Senator
Raines Dm) then moved that the resolution be laid on
the table. The motion WAS lost.
Senator Harris RepJ supported the resolution. He said
he thought the Senate competent to act In the
Mayor had come office III New-York CITY, and in.
stead Of taking the legal method OF procedure he had at
tempted 10 remove men from office charges that
one knew. As Senator Hogan had said this very
grave matter. II backencd he reputation oi two men,
and for purpose II % get au answer to that
qu son that the resolution introduced 1t should re-
Ciyc support He knew OF no other way In which the
Information might be obtained IL Ooked on the sur
face a ring endeayOring 10 obtain control or
the election machinery IN the great CITY OF Eew-Y0rk
Ii the assumption were correct the Legislature ought 10
know IL, and the ScAemo should DO denounced ON the
floor.
Mayor had a right to send IN the charges. He knew
many things uuofieialy among them why tue CALLED
iade should vince and the Governor be attacked IN
advance. lie desired To know i'll what respect the
Mayor had erred.
Senator Mccarthy (RcpJ replied: "For instance, by re-
allow counsel to these charges aud to
tend the time OF an examination until reply could be
framed"
senator Ranes tDem) said he thought the resolution
very l-timed 1t a shaft leycllcd at the Gov
eruor. II the Governor would repudato 1t as an
impcrtmencc.
Senator Hogan said that he had not eyclled a shaft at
anybody lie intended to protect the ball0t-bOx ire
speCtIyC OF party.
Senator Raines said he thought Senator Hogan ought
to consulted his party associates before introducing
such a resolution. The resolution then adopted by
the following vote lRepubicans IN Roman; Demo
Gratis IN ttdiicSl
Yeas-AissSrs. Davenport, Harris, Hicks Koran, Hell
bert Marvin, Mccarthy, Payne Sessions, Wagstaf-10
Nays-Messrs. GO0dciH HVgheS, Lipptt, PomerOy
EdineS, Robertson, Turucr-I