New-York tribune., 1879-05-19
THE sTPEET-CLEANING BUREAU.

ATTEMPT TO CAPTURE II IN THB TIIDEN INTEREST
CAPTAIN lyman NAMED To- SUCCEED CAP
TAIN GUNSER.As HEAD OF THE BUEEAU.
The two subjects now agitating local politicians
are the possibility Of the continuation OF the
MAYORS nominees anu the attempted capture Of the
Street, Cleaning Department in the interest of
Mayor Cooper Governor Robinson ana Mr.. Tilden
For. the moment the attempt to secure
the control of the Tax Department and
the Board of Apportionment is lost in consd-
Grafton of the greater importance of the schemes
to secure the immense personal patronage of the
Police Board and the Strcet-Cleaning Department.
The Board of Airport Unment and the Tax Office
undoubtedly great power in times Of elections,
but The pou r Of the Police and Street-Cieaning
DEPARTMENTS is looked upon by politicians as Of far
more Importance 20 political asprants like Governor
Robinson and Mr. Tildcn.
Some W. eks ago Captain Gunner. who is IN charge
OF the StTeet-Cleanng Bureau OF the Ponce Depart
ment, was induced By Commissioner haeLean 10
write a communication 10 the Police Board asking
for instructions upOo the point whether or not he
was in his capacity OF chlcl 81 the street-cleanefS,
simply a detailed CAPTAIN Ot taG Ponce Force, and
consequently subject to the orders Ot the Com
oners and the Superintendent the inspector
of stTeet-CleaneTs ia which case lie was aDsoute IN
power in the matter OF appointment and dlSnnssal
of the force employed III cleaning the streets. Ihls
INQUIRY was referred TO Corporation counsel
Whitney for an opinion, and has~not yet Deeh
responded TO. ,-.,,. .
Al the meeting of the Police Board on FRIDAY last
Commissioner Naelean, who has been put IN charge
of tine sfrect-cleaning business. offered resolution
removing Captain Gunner and this WasAgreed 70
by all the other Commissioners Almost lmmed-
ately afterward Mr.. MacLe9n moved that Captain
Edward lyman. nOw1ot the Ihrty-tiist PTcelnct, be
appointed to the head of the SJreet-Cleanlng
Bureau. There "a general expression OF sur
pr.se. Commissioner Wheeler SAID the sugges-
tiOn was an utter surprise 70 nm. General
smith said he did not think the selection
of the best--did not believe that Capt'ln ynan was
the sort of officer needed III the Bure8u-Dut would
vote Tor him rs Mr.. MacLean's selection. Commits
siOner Erhardt declared that Captain lyman was
nOt the sort of man wanted. ana askeu WHY tueIe
was guch haste in nominating him. Commissioners
MaeIeau said that he bad looked TIT Captain Il-
mans official record, aud named INN On ihat gIound
Commissioners Eruardt ana Nneeler coDsuitad
mOmeut The facts weT0 recalled that captain
lyman was previous TO the election last fali, q
strong Anti amDaDY man; that IN view OF MS
active efforts in the llden interest. he had been re-
moved from one district where his lnfiuCnCe might
have been very great, 10 the goat district, away
ND town, where it was nothing and that Mayor
Cooper then only nominee for Mayor, had person.
ally urged that Captain lyman be not removed. In
view OF these facts, ana OF the additOhai Iact mat
fbe CORPORATION COunscPs Opnlm was shi III abeJ-
aBee Commissioners Erhar0t aud Wheeler voted TO
defer any action until a later meeting. Ihey
argued that if Captain 1ynau-a Cooper
Tilden partisan-weTe appointed before Cor
pOratun Counsel Whitney rendered an OplnluD, and
then that opinion gave the Captain the power OF an
inspector, with authority 10 appoint ana re-
move without consideration or the Police Com
mlssiOners, 10 would necessarily follow that
MIR. Tilden and Nh Cooper and Mr. MacLean would
have captured at least one important bureau OF the
Ponce Department..
The appointment OF successor to Cap
tain Gunner remains for tutnre consideration:
Whether the appointment will be IN the interest of
MIR IJlden on the moton of Mr.. MacLean depends
largely upon the action of tho Board of Aldermen
ln CONFIRMING OF rejecting the Mayors nominees.