New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-08-07
a POLITICAL MOVE"
OPINIONS OF W. o. BARTLETT ONE or GENERAL
sMIrHls CouNsFL.

OPINIONS OF W. o. BARTLETT. ONE OF GENERAL
SMITHS COUNSEL
w O. Bartlett the well-knOwn lawyer. was asked
by Tribune reporter yesterday what he thought
of the removal of General Smith. Mr.. Bartlett is
one of General Smiths counsel and also close per-
sonal friend
alt is entirelya political move" he said 80 die
tated by the necessities of the persons which tho
Mayor aud the Governor represent. 1t would not
have been consummated at this time, believe II
the Mayor had not been served with writ OF pro-
hibition in the Wheeler case"
WAS any direct proposition ever made to Gem
eral Smith by auy person persons representing
tho Mayors party. that be would not be removed by
the Governor ii he would vote with Commissioner
MacLesnP
81 cannot say that any direct proposition
made. as such things are not done In that way. You
are correct In assuming that such an intmaton was
given him. Had he been content TO follow the lead
of Commissioner MacLean he would not have been
removed"
"Has Mr.. Tilden interested himself in any way to
save General smith,
"Certainly he did not interest himself to save
General Smith when the charges were first made.
He did afterward, however, and secured the delay
that has taken place. Mayor Cooper. oeneye,
asked the Governor not TO act on General Smiths
case and the Governor withheld the removal GER
tifcate awaiting the call of the Mayor The polit-
cal necessity of controlling the inspectors Of election
and the failure to remove Commissioner Wheeler at
this time, were doubt, the reasons why Mr. III
den did not interest himself further TO save Ar.
Smith,"
- Are the inspectors of election Of much inn
They are not of so much Importance If expected
70 perform their legal duties only. The eXtraOrdt-
nary effort made to control their appointment ndi-
Gates All intention 70 use them for other than iegai
purposes" -. ~ null, n.
"Will not this action lDjure Mr. Illden and Mr..
Cooperp ,o,,.,,
cal future of Mr.. nlden. As for Mayor Cooper, he
can hardly put himself In worse position before
the public than he III before. His capacity for
laundering is only equalled by his incapacity for
dong anything else" .,,..,
motives in the matter, has he not
1.-The Governor has made himself liable to the
very same charges on which ne removed Te e,h
was guilty and deserved 20 be removed there Is no
excuse for the long delay. and the Governor has
shown his neglect Of official duty III not acting on
tbe papers sooner"
:" viii General smith apply to the Courts for re-
dress as did Mr.. Nichols r
81 suppose he will. / think Mr. Nichols will soon
have a favorable decision IN his case. The removal
ia clearly an illegal and unconstitutional proceed
ing The Constitution guarantees trlal by Jury
to every person accused OF "a msdeneanor. The
removal of General Smith on the charges made
against him virtually conyicts him OF mlsdemea-
nor without any legal trial, and believe 1t to be
unconstitutional 1t is clear y political act. He
Was given only pretended hearing, and IS sum
mariIy removed and disqualified from holding
office The Mayor should have the power 10 remove
witbout causs and then he would not belObliged TO
assign false reasons and make an infraction OF the
Constitution" =,
" lie was before the charges were preferred. He
has long wanted to resign. but would not be forced
ont In such way. He could not be made polti-
cal tool and hence the cause OF MS removal Tic has
gone out of town for few days, bat will be back 10
accent service of the papers soon as he hears OF
ms removal He did not go away for the purpose II
movement on the coming election, 1t will be detri-
mental 10 the Iilden interest. An election is never
won by trick except at the last moment When
always right such movements and punish trick
stels They will ON this OCCASION