New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-08-08

which they do not now possess, and TO force
the Democracy of the city by the powerful IN
fuence of patronage, to support their candl-
dates. The influence which the changes IN
the Police Board may have upon the elections
Is explained in a conversation with Seth u
Hawley, Clerk of the Board.
RITMORs ABOUT THE CITY HALL.
GENERAL SMITHS CoURsE-rHE NEW COMMISSION
FR's APPOINTMENT ONLY TEMPORARY-MoVE-
,,rST AGAINST THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS.
The removal of Police Commissioner Smith con-
tinues TO be the exciting topic of conversation
among local politicians The rumOrs OF posi-
HE removals If other Commissioners, which were
freely circulated yesterday, readily believed,
rs the Governor in his message in regard to the re-
r,oyal of the Police Commissioners, was thought to
Indicate q purpose of sanctiOning any such sum-
mary use Of power by the Mayor. What legal
measures may be instituted by Commissioner
Smith to regain possession of his office were sub
feet of speculation. His absence, as well as that OF
his counsel. prevented any definite knowledge being
ascertained on that point. Some OF his TRENDS be-
Geyed that he would make no effort to regain his
office They said he did not for it, only he was
opposed TO being put out in an arbitrary ana, as
they allege illegal manner, merely to crafty the
personal ends of Mr. TIlden and his supporters.
Ex-Alderman Tuomey, who is intimate
personal friend of General Smith, said the
latter had gone to where his family are,
and would not be back here for some
time. "He expected to be removed" said Mr.
Tuomey, and the Governors action will be no sur
prise to him. His resignation was asked for lime
and again, and refused so long as the Mayor held
his charges over him. General Smiths friends say
his services during the war. and his influence with
the soldiers will enable him to strike back some
telling blows.
There was some talk abOnt the City Hall yester
day. that the appointment of Mr.. Morrison as
successor to General Smith was intended to be
merely temporary. It's purpose reported to be to
avoid certain legal difficulties before the office was
permanently filed. Mr.. Morrison said he preferred
tome other place. and the Mayor remarked that
be had made no appointment of private secretary,
As Mr. Morrison might want to come back. This
rumor was ridculed by the politicians, who re-
marked that Mr. Morrison would not give up such
good appointment unless he was forced to.
1t was also asserted that Mr.. Morrison will assume
The duties of President of the Police Board, and
claim that he is entitled to the pay, as successor to
The president whose place he appointed to fill,
providing no agreement can be reached in the
Board Mr.. Tilden is said to desire the appoint
ment of Mr.. MacLean president, but II is thought
to be doubtful If any Republican Commssloner
will vote for him. The position has been filled by
Democrat for long time, and the hepuDlleahs now
claim that it belongs TO their party. The President
of the Board is paid $4,000 per annum, and the
president are not much greater that those OF any
Commissioner. BE is ex-othcio member Oh all the
committees and of the Board of Health
The Antl-Tammany politicians are dellghted TO
think they had at last captured the Police Board
from the Tammany Democrats, and profess 10 De-
heve that Mr. Wheeler will be removed. The Gov
ernor is clear In the opinion that the Mayor has the
power TO remove Mr.. Wheeler, and the intentions
of the Mayor leave room for DOUBT. sheridan
Shook barney Biglin Jacob Hess and ether Repnb-
hcans SAID yesterday that they believed The Mayor
md governor would succeed, in some way other.
I'm getting Mr.. Wheeler ont. Maurice ). Power
Thomas j. Costigan, Michael Norton, John FOX ana
other Auti-Tammany leaders, are OF the opinion that
Justice Van Brunt will dissolve the writ OF proni-
btion, and leave Mr.. Wheeler 10 test his claim IN
some other way. Mayor Cooper was asked II ne IN
tended TO appoint successor 10 Sr Wheeler In case
he Is removed without asking the consent OF the
Board of Aldermen. " | never had any such puT-
pose in mind,D he replied. There may be two con-
structons to the law but am now OF opinion that
have not the power to appoint his successor without
confirmation by the Board of Aldermen: have hadnO
legal opinion on the matter however" If nominal
ton is made unsatisfactory to TIE board Oh AldeI'
men IT will not be confirmed. That viii leave the
Police Board constituted Of two Antl-1 dmmany
Democrats and one Republican; This, perhaps
would please the Mayor as well as having sue
cessOr TO Mr.. Wheeler confirmed
There will be a hearing before Justice Van Brunt
today as to why the time IN the Wheeler case
should not be shortened for final argument Nhen
the writ of prohibition was granted, ana the time
for argument was SET down Tor the lSth INST, the
counsel for Mr.. Wheeler made statement OF Their
future arrangements which would preclude thelT
attending TO the Gaze sooner. In consideration OF
these statements the Justice named August IL. Mr.
Bliss is absent from the city on q yachting cruise,
and will not he back for ten days. Mr. Root Is IN
the country with ms family, and Will not be back
for some time. Mr.. Schley, OF Mr. Bliss ONCE,
will appear to-day and make statement, anu, as
the same reasons operate now as when the Justice
granted the order. il Is not believed that ne VIII
shorten the time.
The rumor was extensively circulated yesterday
tbatth Park Commissioners would soon be re-
moved. This Is the same rumOr which has been
frequently referred TO before. Mayor Cooper SAID
he mad the report of Commissioner OF Accounts
shearman on the Park Department, but shat he haa
not yet read il, and did not know what contaned
He said " | have no expectation at present OF
presenting charges against the Park Commls-
nonersD On leaving the Mayors presence the re-
porter met am Ant-IammaDy politician III the
Mavo1Js waitipg-roon, "Are the Park Commits
Eioners 10 be remOyedW was asked.
Yes" was the reply "IOuse common express
sion, may repeat make no mistake ABOUT IT. they
ale bound 20 20" .-.. ,
removing them al present"
has before him reports of engineers and reports OF
lawyers aud expert regardin9 the analrs Oh the
park Department. The charges are IN form, and
Will be based on those private reports ana not on
the report of the Commissioner OF accounts Inc
Department Is very rotten, and needs Tor us nead
some snch man as Andrew H. Green. On, the Com
mssioners will be removed IN due tlme."
Commissioner of Accounts Hatfield has concluded
his fye-months investigation OF the ControileTs
Office, and will make his report in few days. liz
is intended that charges Will be made against the
Controller, If he should determne 10 DOH tne
denomination of Governor Robinson, after the
coming state Convention
The Nlden Democrats now control the Executive
Department, the Board OF Police so far as IamInany
Is Concerned and the Department OF Fubic WORKS.
which are the three most important departments Oh
the city government They also control the DOCK
department, the County Clerks office, the Registers
Office. the Corporation Counses office, and 10 is be-
leyed will control in time Tor the eIectlons the
Park Department the Building Department.,
Sherffs Office and have perhaps share IN the con-
TOi NJ tha Ia.