New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-08-07
ME GOVERNORS TARDY ACTION.

FINAL CoURsE-wHY THE ANTI-TAMMANY DE-
MoCRACY WISH TO CONTROL TIRE POLICE BOARD
The removal Of Police Commissioner Smith occa-
stoned a great deal of excitement about the city
Yesterday. 1t had been rumored for some days past
that Mr. Smith would be removed. and this was gem
orally believed to be the intention of Mayor Cooper
whenever his removal should become necessary to
obtain control of the Police Board for political pur-
poses The certificate of removal was sent
TO the Governor on the 9th OF last
April. The certificates of Commissioner Err
hardt and Commissioner. Nichols were for
warded at the same time. The Governor promptly
removed Mr. Nichols because he WAS Tammsny
Sachem and had no friends who could serve the
Governor or Mr. Tilden. Commissioner Erhardt
was not removed because his term of office had ex-
PRED, and the Governor did not care to take the
legal responsibility OF approving Mayor CoopeTs
action in Mr.. Erhardts case. 1t was reported AT
that that General Smith would be saved because
his removal might defeat the denomination Of Gov
ernor Robinson. A. reason given by the Gov
ernor that he had not time to examine the papers The
months that have elapsed since however have entirely
disposed of that reason. Politicians have said that
Mr. Smith would be removed because he refused 10
vote under the leadership of Commissioner Mac
Lean who immedia ely represented Mr.. 1Ilden but
thai the removal would be delayed ~ long as DOS
sible in order that Mr. Smiths friends might com
NIT themselves to the denomination OF Mr. ROBIN
son. Local politicians say that the plain purpose OF
the Mayor in controlling the Police Board Is to use
It's powers on election day in the Tllden interest
The BOARD APPOINTS the officials who count the
votes deposited and control the polling places H.
it is said, the election inspectors and the police
work together, as they can be made to work by the
majority of the Police Board fair election In the
city might be made impossible, and majorties
rltnn
! Tilden was Chairman OF the Democratic State Com
mittee.
The Police Board. under the law, has TO appoint
| election inspectors during August and September.
A resolution was passed some tiTNe ago naming
! August 10 to act on this matter The next day, 1t
is sand. Colonel Tracy the Mayors chief clerk was
sent to Albany, where he held long conference
with Governor Robinson. Smith NJ. Weed was said
TO have arrived there the same day. aud his pres
ence was noticed in the Albany newspapers. The
| plan 10 capture the Police Board Is sand 10 have
! been approyed by Governor Robinson, and Smith
| NJ Weed and Colonel Tracy returned to
this city. Commissioner Sherman immedi-
ately began his investigation which de-
yeloped into the charges made against Com
missioner Wheeler The writ OF prohibition
seriously interfered with the plans. On Monday
| night Mayor Cooper called on Mr.. MaeLean, who Is
said to represent Mr. Iiden, and soon after Colonel
Tracy was sent to Albany. He returned to the
city on Tuesday afternoon with the certihcate OF
| removal of General Smith in his possession Com
! missioner MacLean held long consultation with
the Mayor on the matter, and III the evening james
| F.. Morrison, the Mayors private secretary, was
appointed and was secretly sworn in as the success
| sor to General Smith The movement was kept
secret in order that injunction or writ could be
served on the Mayor before the new commissioner
| could yet possession OF bis office.
| General Smith went away from the city on Sat
! urday to be aosent some time on vacation. This
was known to the Mayor aud his assistants, who, it
is asserted. hoped to get possession Of General
Smiths office before he could take legal steps to
| nrevent such action. The Mayor kept secret from
bIs i-Tammauy associates the matter Of the APP
| nointment until they heard it elsewhere. George
! H. Purser Alderman Haughton and others, wanted
! Peter Bowe appointed. and were considerably dis
pleased at the appointment OF Mr.. Morrison, who,
| they said had already been too greatly rewarded
for his small services TO the party. 1t was said,
however. that Mr. Bowe might be appointed in
Mace Of Commissioner Wheeler if the Mayor should
succeed in getting the latter removed.
| PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT.
The Navor and his clerks, Colonel Tracy and
Commissioners Morrison, did not arrive at the City
|
,ison refused to say whether he had been appointed
or not, and the Mayor also declined to answer any
ouestions until late in the day. He then said that
be had amounted Nj. Morrison. The Office of prI-
vato secretary was not filed, he said, and he could
| NOT say when it would be filed Maurice j. Power
! and w s Andrews are prominently mentioned for
the place, Both are frequenters of the Mayors
| office and both do considerable outside work for
Mr. Tilden and are thought to be equally entitled to
the Mace Mr.. Andrews, it is said, may be APP
noiuted to succeed John J. OBrien az Chief Clerk
Of the Election Bureau, providing the
| Nayor succeeds in removing Commissioner
Wheeler. 1t is believed however that
the Mayor will succeed in his purpose, as mo stone
Will be left unturned" said personal associate Of
his Yesterday. to obtain control OF the election
| bureau"
| The law provides that the commissioner or COM
mssiopers representing the minority political party
in the CITY shall have the naming of two inspectors
| of election for each election district. III Commits
sloner Wheeler should be removed, 1t Is SAID sue,
seryient so-called Republican will be appointed ahd
recognized as representing that party. la tnat way
he will name such inspectors as VIII please MI III
den and secure the purposes OF the latter IN seeking
control Of the election bureau The inspectors Ior
tine other marty are required by law 10 De OF uluef
ent po,ltcal faith" bat IL does not say they must
represent The party the majority. Anti lammany
inspectors would In this way be secured. ~,
|
removed. and the whole Board be put under the
control OF the Tilden- Cooper Democracy.
THE REMOVAL PAPERS.
The following is a copy Of the Mayors letter to
the Governor removing General Smith and the Gov
errors certificate of removals
Mayors OFFICE New-York. April 5. 1879.
L Edward Cooper Mayor OF the CITY OF New-fork, DO
her certify that Ia virtue OF the authority vestea 10
me- ms g,con 90 Chapter 335 OF the Laws OF 1873, en-
n.u An Act To- rCorgsnize the local Governments OF
The 1tv of Hew-York" have ths day for cause after
onuornity q him afforded be heard aud after Sc-
| tnsily hearing hiu removed William f. smith from the
oare of Police Commissioner OF the City OF New-Iork
| The causes OF removal are