The New York herald., 1879-08-02
Political Motives Prompting the Removal Of
Commissioner Wheeler.
WHO OWNS THE SURPLUS CASH /!
Corporation Counsel Asked to Decide
the Question.

magistrate and the republican Office holders
in every aspect. and case was rarely
found where some decided opinion had not been
formed one way the other. Mr.. Wheeler friends
are many, and they not by any means confined
within the limits of the organization to which he
belongs. Consequently the opinions of persons
politically opposed to him will not appear to be
strange when they taken in the light Of personal
friendship. Indeed it is and has been for time
past a well known fact that Mr. Wheeler has sadly
disappointed some republican politicians. thereby
ncurring their great dispeasure. SO bitter did the
feeling become that he was requested resign his
position. This he refused to do; and it said by
some persons yesterday that some Of the very
who asked him to vacate his Office had inspired the
latest attacks upon him. The fact that Mayor
Cooper exempted the Commissioner from the
charges made last winter against Messrs. Smith.
Erhard and Nichols, coupled with his action in the
present instance. served to provoke considerable
comment, and speculation was freely induGed in as
to the motives of His Honor. nt
The members Of what is termed the regular
democracy of this city,. e. Tammany Hall-did
not appear to be very much troubled over Mayor
Cooper's action in Commissioner Wheeer's case.
or they regard it an attempt to prevent
them from carrying the next election by not giving
them any inspectors Of election. But they express
great confidence in their ability to "checkmate' the
Mayor in the matter when the proper time comes
They do not. rule. defend Wheeler. but at the
same time one can that they are just the least
bit anxious about the republican commissioners
fate.
Ex-County Clerk Henry A. Gumbeton, Ed. Gale
Fire Commissioner German and other Tammany
braves strongly characterized the Mayors course in
reference to Mr. Wheeler
1t would probably be impossible to measure the
extent Of the smiles depicted on the faces OF the
anti-Tammanyites yesterday. They could not con-
ceal their pleasure at the Mayors action, and
hibited it in various ways. Many of them predicted
that their leaders would have control of the Police
Board before many weeks and that. too, without
having to go to much trouble. The Mayor had the
facts in his possession. they said, and he could
bring them out when they were wanted At the
proper time Mr.. Wheeler would be shown up in Lis
true colors and more specific acO against hlm be
proven.
Although this and much more was said in the
same strain. nobody would aqree to say just what
the nature OF the alleged 'other" charges against
Mr.. Wheeler were. Consequently, but little faith
was put in them by shrewd politicians.
OTHER QUESTIONS DISCUSSED.
But these were not by any means, the only ques.
tions discussed. Talk on the subject took gen.
era turn and embraced every branch of the matter.
Speculation rife as to whether the Mayor would
allow Mr. Wheeler the privilege OF having counsel at
the hearing which is set down tor Monday
next at Il. NJ. II Will De remembered
in this connection that he positively refused this
right in the OF Messrs. Smith. Erhardt and
Nichols. His Honor at that time used force to pre-
lawyers Bartlett and Ecclesine from pleading
behalf of their client General William f. smith and
il said yesterday that His Honor would adopt
the same in the present instance. The posi-
tion that he took the hearing given March last
broadly laid down by him. He did not hesitate
to say that he would not hear counsel on any ac-
count In his letter to Governor Robinson, notify
ing him OF the removal OF the Commissioners. His
Honor says:-
The Mayor in interest Of tho public right to
should In judgment. insist upon full frank
answer by charged with neglect duty to any
made by the oicsr person. not bys third party,
whose a. bes. must needs 30 at second hand
esrn the summary Of S Of
assee Hsef Of the supreme Court that SUCH l0e o
Ger shall answer pertinent questions with the
against him in criminal proceedng II is no sufficient
hss the
tions concerning the administration Of department
any to would ec.
such question the presumption is that his answer would
movai
1t may be that the Mayor may change his mind in
his management of Commissioner Wheeler's case
and allow him the opportunity that was denied to
was yesterday questioned in regard to the by
a HERALD reporter. He was asked what his rules
would be relative the hearing to be given the ac-
cused Commissioner on Monday next.
"What do you mesny' he quickly rejoined.
IL would like to know" explained the reporter.
"whether you will hear Mr.. Wheeler through coun-
sel?'
II cannot say anything about that matter" re-
sponded His Honor.
lie would not say word more on the subject;
nor would he give the least hint as to what might
be expected to take placoat Mr.. wheeler's examine
tion.
WHAT THE COMMISSIONER WILL. SHOW
Mr.. Wheeler's lawyers will formally enter upon
the preparation OF his defence to-day They were
consultation with their client yesterday. and two
OF them passed the entire evening with him. They
will show. it is said. that the moneys
not part of the citys funds but were
private sums. The Mayor. II this should be done,
will ask why. IL what Mr. Wheeler states is SO. were
not the missing $1,000 mentioned in his bank
ruptcy schedule filed with Register Dwight?
Whether this can be explained satisfactorily not
day that IT was nothing more than trick OF tho
Mayors to get him out OF Office
"Why was not removed with Commissioners
Nichols?' asked he. "Smply because there were
certain that wanted me to remain on the Board.
But don't want to talk any more about the matter.
as the whole subject is in the hands of my counsel
We will appear Monday IN pursuance to the drec-
From statements made by Mr.. wheelers counsel
Messrs. Bliss, Root and Davenport-it would appear
that a strong effort Will be made to compel tho
Mayor TO recognize them a. representing the Com
missioner. In he refuses IL il SAID that the
court will be applied to and test case be tried and
decided.
WHAT SHALL DO WITH IT?
The four Commissioners were present ut the regu-
lar weekly meeting held yesterday. A letter
ceiyed from Mr. Isaac l.. Moe. of the department of
Clothing and Equipment, stating that there
balance of $lO4l - ON hand out of money received
since April q 1878. and asking what disposition to
make OF said funds. Mr. Noes letter quoted the
resolution of the Board under which the fund had
accumulated
Commissioner MacLean at once suggested that the
money ought to be turned over to the CITY Chamber
lain, and that Mr.. Moe ought to be able to show .
receipt tor 1t before he drew his salary.
''What has the city Chamberlain to do with the
money!" inquired General Smith.
.'ne has everything to do with it," Mr.. MacLean
replied, calling u messenger and sending him tor
copy o. the city charter. Having obtained one ho
pointed a clause which he said covered the case.
IL forbade any public officer to receive per-
quistes and he reiterated his opinion that tho
money ought to bo sent to the City Chamberlain.
General smith claimed that the city had no right
TO the money. When the department bought things
for the men small advance added selling
them to guard against any loss. No official had
ceived tee percentage from the transactions.
Something had been done. MIR. MacIsean continued.
which ieft balance. MIR. Wheeler rctorted that the
balance was oniy for the protection of the depart
ment. Mr.. MacLean thought there was an advance
fpr tlun slf rtn lnq halA