New-York tribune., 1880-06-17
A POLITICAL. REVOLUTION.

A POLITICAL REVOLUTION.
A revolution was accomplished Yesterday In
the control OF the City Departments In Brooklyn the
patronage OF which controls largely the politics OF ha'
city. For several years the Departments nave ueeh
mainly IN the OF the Democrats, who had two out
OF the three Commissioners In several or then An at
rempt WAS made in August of last year by
the Republican majority OF tho Board OF Al
der men to the confirmation OF Republicans
as heals Of t. Departments. who were to he NOM
mated by the Republican president OF the Board hold
ing the place OF Mayor exoffcio, Mayor Howell being
dangerously sick. This failed as several of the MEM
bers Of the Board gave pledges not to act while the
Mayor was confined to his house. Afterward Demo
cratic appontees Of the Mayor were confirmed three
Republicans acting with the Democrats in the Board
OF Alderman to confirm them.
Last Winter a passed ny the State Legislature
substituting single heads for the three in each depart
mcnt in Brooklyn and giving the appointing power to
the Mayor and Controller As these officers at present
are OF opposite parties there was prospect
that no agreement would be reached, ana
an act providing that in case OF the 1ail-
ure Of the Mayor and Controller TO agree within
ten days. the Auditor should be called in passed IN
the form OF rider" tho License bill This bill was
signed yesterday by Governor Cornell aud immediate
Information of it was transmitted TO the Republican
leaders Brooklyn, who took advantage OF 1t accord
tngy.
The Mayor, Controller and Auditor were attending a
meeting of the Board Of Estimate Of which they are
members the City Hall in the Controllers Office a IL
o'clock a. yesterday. when Auditor zimmerman
moved an adjournment, saying there was another
matter Of Importance to attend to- Controller STEM
metz remarked that the law required their attendance at
the Mayors office. and gave Mayor Howell written
hotce. The motion for adjournment was lost helhg OPP
posed by the County Treasurer ana
the Mayor and three of the five members OF the Board
of Estimate. The Controller and Auditor, however
FASTENED away to the Mayors room and proceeded to
tho under the law authorizing them
to act.
Auditor zimmerman read the list including the fol-
lowing:
John Ere nch 10 be Commissioner Of the Department
of City Works
James Jourdan, 10 be Commissioner Of Police aud
Excise.
Jacob Worth, to be Commissioner of the Fire Depart
ment
William NJ Thomas to be the head of the Department
of Buildings.
DIR. James Crane to be Commissioner OF Health.
Oliver B. LEIGH aud Herman COle, to be Commis-
siOners of Excise.
All are Republicans AS each name was read the Con-
troer concurrcd and bOtn he and the Auditor formally
signed the paper.
The news rapidly spread and groups of politicians in
the City Hall. Municipal Building aud County Court
House eagerly discussed all phases of the changes
Much elation was felt by Republicans, and several
whom TRIBUNE reporter talked with expressed their
satisfaction with the result and the hope that the
changes would result in q thorough reform of the city
government Democrats refused to how the changes
regarded One expressed the idea that legal
haw in the act Of the Legislature would be found and
taken advantage OF to overturn the work Of the Con
troler Auditor. MayOr.HOwe SAID he thought the
action was taken in Indecent haste.
In the meanti me the Board Of Estimate took
advantage of the absence of Controller Stein
the Is1 coSroers Oee for nHt from
or bs wSs made Dy Mayor Howell ami he moved
and the Board adopted t1 to cut o6 down W ne ss
and that for the Board of Audit from $4,000 TO $1,000
THE NEW OFFICERS.
John French, who succeeds Messrs. Massey, Worth
and Hazard in the Board Of City Works, is weknown
politician in the Twentieth Ward, which he represented
in the Board Of Aldermen number Of terms He has
taken prominent part in the LEGISLATION Of the city and
was at one time President of the Common Council.
General James Jourdip. who takes charge or the
hiea circles He General Of the Second DIVISION OF
dent the Police Board; In 1876 he appointed TO
I'll the same position. made vacant by the death Of d.
der Office Of Commissioner Of Police which ne has
held since. and now succeeds himself aud john Pyburn
and o. Il. LEIGH.
Jacob Worth om the Board of City Works to the
Fire Departneut where he succeeds Hugh McLxggnlm,
second and Mcssra. Wafer and BIeDnan. Mr. Worth s
q we'll l-known politician the Eastern District. He
held the office of Member Of Assembly ior nine consecu-
WM Thomas, who takes his place at the head Of the
department OF Buildings now first separated from
the Fire Department is practical builder and has
Board Of Health. which he succeeded by Dr. An
drew Otterson. by the Mayors appointment. III August
1879.
Captain Loich, who from Commissioner OF Police |
aud Excise, becomes Commissioner OF the latter Cnly
formerly Captain of Police in the Ninth Precinct
Herman Coeell, who ls associated with hp, is not
known politician Ife is tobaccOnist in this city,
and resides III the Thirteenth Ward Brooklyn.
The trst of the officers to seek his place was Mr.
French. who filed his OF Office with the City Clerk
He then went the Office Of the Board OF CITY
Works and presented his notice Of appointment. He
was not rccOcu!zcd by the incumbent, Pres |
ident Massey, he had not filed his bonds. Mr. French
sent the employees OF the Board to recognize
no authority other tEan his. Corporation Counsel DE
Witt informed Mr. French that by his construction
OF the act he legally Commissioner, and later |
IN the day Mr. French tiled his hOnds o. $4,000,
his sureties being John Williams president OF the Full
ton Bank. aud state Senator +. A. Schroeder lie
then recognized by Mr. Massey, and assumed control
The large nubcr Of seekers OF eubOrdi ate positions
IN the city service very anxious the changes
yesterday, and ii is predicted that III some OF the depart
lnents manv changes Will be made.
Mr.. French served last evening with an Injunction
training him irCm taking Ofii"e Commissioner OF
City Works. The INDUCTION was obtained by President
Massey who is one Of the officials displaced ny the new
appointments