The New York herald., 1879-08-07

urged by counsel not claimed for either of the
other Commissioners. In the first place. II is soberiy
averred that the Mayor has no power to remove
him and the Governor no power to approve
the removal. because he is charged with
neglect of duty, and neglect OF duty is
a misdemeanor. and the constitution provides
that no person shall be held to on such a
charge except on presentment or indictment OF
grand jury do not propose to discuss this ques-
ton at length. 1t is simply claim that there Is no
government whatever in the city. and certainly no
The state has not yet fallen to either
position. The other point claimed in
behalf OF Commissioner Smith is that as
other Commissioners were in charge OF the respective
departments OF discipline and street cleaning, he
could not be held responsible for the failure of those
departments to do their duty. The effect of this
claim if it be allowed. change the response
bility or Commissioner Smith from sin OF COM
mission to a sin OF omission l cannot
admit the doctrine that an intelligent and
experienced officer holding the high position OF
president OF the Police Board in the greatest city
the continent is to be excused from all responsibility.
while the associates whom his vote has placed upon
committees and who subject to the control OF
haSe allowed the streets Of
their city to grow rotten and the disci-
pline of their police to fade away. As theirs was
high position and great power were they held
to stern accoun liability for the manner in which
their duties discharged. The record before
which has not been and believe cannot be success
fully impugned. which, by the admission OF
the man best competent to know. is strictly
true. shows that each OF these Commission
ASPcsoA
the government OF the city and the million Of peo-
pie whose life. health and safety the law COM
manded them to watch am, therefore. constrained
by of official duty to approve the action OF
-o 80 ~ = = : 'ND'-e - L. ROBINSON.
lne THE POLICE BoARD's LATEST MEETING.
The Police commissioners at special meeting on
Saturday last transacted moro business than they
usually dispose Of in month. Commissioner Mac
Lean opposed nearly every resolution offered at that
hrt nta1 lv In
stance by Messrs. Smith. Wheeler and French. Com
missioner Wheeler. Immediately alter the new ap
pointments in the Street Cleaning Bureau had been
transfers should be made OF employees in that de-
partment without the approval OF the Board. thus
eSeesmaily tying the hands ,. OF Mr, MaeLean.
Cleaning. In view OF the unusual amount
Of business rushed through Saturday
itation of General Smith was not entirely
expected. No meeting held Tuesday. the
regular meeting day OF the Board and the president
know where he had gone beyond the rumor that he
was visit to some friends in Maine with his
family in Connecticut. A HERALD reporter visited
almost every place which he known to frequent.
but without finding any trace OF him. His residence
was ascerained to be in part OF Morrsana. but
his family at present out OF town. i'll Connecticut,
it is presumed. At the Metropolitan Hotel it
learned that General Smith had been stopping there
the last month. The clerk said that saturday
he left the hotel in company with Commissioner
Wheeler. saying he was going out OF town to his
q
took small hand satchel with him. All day yester-
day detective lowered about the door OF his Office
at Police Headquarters and it was said his purpose
in so doing was to serve on the Commissioner the
order of hls removal. copy Of the document was
left at Police Headquarters during the night.
Commissioner French was at his office Tues
day, but yesterday his office doors were locked.
Commissioner MacLean WAS on hand early yester-
day. as he is every day Before going IN to his own
Shave you heard Of General Smiths removaly'
he was asked by reporter ,..,a :. .t..-44.t-- s..
ley had already said the thing Commissio
MacLean retired to his Office saying he had business
connected with the Street Cleaning Bureau to attend
to, and had time to discuss the merits OF the
moval OF General Smith, IHa an fae3
MR.. MORRISON HEADQUARTERS.
He had not been long in his office when Mr.. Nor
rson. the new Commissioner, and Mr.. Thomas j.
Cosgan, of the Cuy Record, were ushered into his
presence. The doors were closed and long con-
spatched Chief Clerk lHawley, VINO hastened
to the council. In a few moments more the Chief
Clerk emerged: aud escorting Mr.. Morrison down
introduced him as Police Commissioner Morrison.
The agony OF suspense was over. In his capacity
secretary to the Mayor Mr.. Morrison served upon
Commissioner MacLean Chief Clerk Hswley and
Superintendent Walllng copy of the official notice
OF General SMITHS removal. Not being familiar
with the interior OF Police Headquarters Mr.. Nor
called upon his friend, Mr. Costigan. to pilot
hun there. Arm in arm with his guide Mr. Nor
ris<i entered the building on the Mulberry street
side. They pursued their way through the long hall
that runs from Mulberry to Mott street. and would
probably have brought the Sanitary
Bureau the lost children department had
not reporter intercepted them and given them the
bearings necessary to xeach the Chief Clerks o.ce
Mr. Hawley is a verv deliberate man, and he sat
with his high hat pretty well down his eyes,
drawing up complaint in q clubbing case, when
Messrs. Morrison and Costigan interrupted him.
THAT appears to be the correct thing" said Mr..
Hawley, after scanning carefully copy Of the Gov
ernors order removing General Smith.
Mr.. Morrison produced the original. with the
great seal OF the state attached. 79s.7 -f
That is the correct thing" said Mr.. Haw.ey.
after another careful scrutiny.
Having finished his business as the Mayors sec
retsry Mr.. Morrison dived into his lett hand coat
pocket aud produced another document, which.
while pleasant smile wreathed his face. he handed
THE cKnr1rrcATE OF APPOINTMENT
While he was perusing it Mr.. Hawley appeared to
be suffering from attack OF asthma, but when he
had concluded he shook Mr. Morrison warmly by
the hand and congratulated him upon his appoint
ment. Following is copy of the paper:-
Mayors oyIcE,
l. Edward Cooper Msvor of The city OF New York by vr
Laws being chapter OF the Laws
ss Of ey Of Now ap % sna
the amendatcry thereof and by virne of chapter s5
Morrison Poice Of city Of New York
EDWARD COOPER. Mayor
There is no formal manner of acknowledging or
installing u Police Commissioner. Generally
the Board meets and after looking the new ap-
papers orders his appointment to be spread
ing yesterday, MIR. Hawiey presented the new
Commissioner to the heads OF the various depart
lnents. They called in to Mr.. John j. O'Bren,
Chief Of the Bureau of Elections. but he was not
around. The removal of General Smith leaves the
Board without president and makes a reorganiza-
tion necessary The position carries with il nothing
more than u little additional salary, so there is not
much in it to fight tor.
superintendent walling received the without
any apparent emotion and Immediately ordered the
following general alarm to be telegraphcd to all the
police precincts-
William \. Smith has been removed by the Mayor and
Governor Police Commissioner and James Il. Morrison
appointed In his place.
THE OLD AND THE NEW.
General Smith appointed on the LIST Of May,
1885, by Mayor WickhaDi for term OF six years as
the successor of General Duryea, who served a tull
term. Commissioner Morrison has to Gen
eral Smiths unexpircd term. ending May /. 1881.
Commissioner Morrison born in this city in
1s43 and graduated from grammar school No. ~.
He atterward entered the College OF the City of New
Yerk, from which institution he graduated in 1861.
lie shortly aterward appointed master OF Christ
Church Academy in Oyster Bay, L. /. He next off,
ciated AS teacher in grammar school No. 49, and
subsequently was appointed tutor in the depart
.l..ff