New-York tribune., 1885-01-01
WHY MR. SQUIRE WAS CONFIRMED.

WHY MR.. SQUIRE WAS CONFIRMED.
> >BILrEF THAT ALDERMAN KIRK WOULD FILL THE
VACANT OFFICES UNDER THE NEW LAW.
The vote by which Hubert o. Thompson was re-
Il placed by Roln NJ. Squire is a curious one AS 1t
stood originally, there were fifteen votes Ill 1aVor
of confirmation, two more than were necessary.
They were cast by six County Democrats, four
Tammany men, and five Republicans. The others
either voted against confirmation or ao-
stained from voting until 1t was
evident that a sufficient number OF votes
had been recorded to Mr.. SQnire's
eoniirmation and then they voted in the afiTlna-
tive There were four votes against confirmation
two Tammany and two County Democracy. These
changed to the affirmative SO that the vote when
finally announced stood twenty-five III favor of
confirmation, one, OConnor Repu0hcan not
voting and Kirk trammany) absent.
The nomination was q genuine surprise. IL is
safe to say that nearly one-half the members OF
The Board never heard of Mr. Squire until the NOM
nation was read to them. The new Commissioner
is not a member of any political organization,
altbou gh he is vouched for by the Mayor as
Democrat With which of the Democratic fac
tions he will cast in his fortunes one apparently
can tell with certainty.
MR. KIRK's POWERS UNDER THE LAW.
The leaders of both Tammany Hall and the
County Democracy in the Board, and five OF the
six Republicans who are supposed to have been
favorable to Mr.. Thompson, among the fifteen
Aldermen who voted for Mr.. Squire. The
Tammany members say that Mr.. Squire will act
with Tammany Hail. while the County Democrats
assert that he is unobjcctonable TO Mr.. Thompson
and that certain of their number received instruc-
tons from Thompson to vote for him. The most
reasonable explanation is that Mr.. Thompson be-
g came convinced that Mayor Edson's term expired
at midnight last night and that
under the terms of the charter Presi-
dent Klrk would be acting Mayor from that time
until noon to-day, when Mr.. Grace taxes once.
During that interval Mr. Kirk, possessing all the
powers of the Mayor, could fill any vacancy that
existed among the heads of departments hy vir-
tue of tue act passed by the last Legislature. Mr.
Edison held that bis term wonld expire at midnight,
and he would interpose no objection 10 Mr.. Kirk
taking possession of the Office. For TINS
reason he would rather see man like squire ne
come his successor than strong Tammany
partisan.
Certain sections of the Consolidation Act seem TO
be clear this point. They are as follows:
Section 1.-THE Mayor shall he the Chief Executive
officer of the corporation. He shall he elected at
era election and hold his office Tor the term oi two
years. commencing at noon Oh the hrs' nay Vi january
Section 35-whencver the Mayor shall he under sus.
Office of Mayor Whenever by reason OF sictness % or
end;ns TO the duties OF mis- Office the president of the
Board OF Aldermen shall act Mayor and possess all
the rights powers of Mayor during such Suspension
disability or absence. In of vacancy he shall so
act until OF the first Monday OF January succeed
ing the election at which successor is chosen.
President Kirk has been advised by David Dud-
lev Field and Robert Sewell that he Possesses the
power to fill vacancies and expressed his intention
last evening of appointing a successor TO Corpora
tion Counsel Lacombe.
coNGRATULATISG THE MAYOR AND Mr. sQuIk".
Immediately after the confirmation o. MI
Squire there was a rash for the Mayors Office on
the part of those who wished TO congratulate him
On the successful termination of the long contest
Only the Aldermen and the leading mem
bers of the Republican and Tainmany organizations
were admitted None OF the County Democracy
Aldermen or leaders were among the visitors The
Mayor received his callers good humoredly, shook
hands with them aud inlrJdu ced them to the
Commissioner
Mr. Squire received the congratulations on his
good fortune quietly. lie was asked whether il
was true that he would hold the office for only
short time, and then resign and allow his successor
to be appointed by Mayor Grace. He replied that
be had not thought OF such thing. He added that
be appreciated fully the honor conferred upon HIM
by his nomination aud confirmation and would en-
deavor administer the Office for The best interests
Of the public.
Roin NJ. Squire was born in Springfield, VT,
1887. lie was a sehool-nate of Mayor Edison at
Chester VT. Aftcrward he went to Boston, studied
law and was admitted to the bar. lie at
time a law partner of ex-COllector Simmons. and
was for time a member of the Water Board of
that city. He has been a resident of this city for
= the past three years, living at No. 3l4 Mott-ave
in the Twenty-third Ward. lie has not practised
his professio. since living here. He il a Democrat
but has not been connected with any OF the po-
htlcal organizations. He is above the medium
height. of good figure, with black hair and mus
tache, is slightly bald and dresses neatly. lie
has pleasant address. and the air of a man of
education.
THE MAYORS OFFICE GUARDED by POLICE.
The Mayors Office was in state of siege during
the day. Early in the morning Captain Steers was
requested by the Mayor 10 detail officers to guard
the approaches 10 his Office Every one who called
chief secretary. Nneteen-twentieths
aofmed that the Mayor too busy TO see any one
Aooat l2:30 Detective Sergeant Langan, of the
Dls'nc'-Attorneys Office, appeared the outer
o"ce he announced that he bore sub
p"na ior Mr. EdsOn Word sent to
,an ane Mayor of the character of the
"iossehgei, who was greatly surprised
when tne Mayor Informed him that he was too busy
~ ~ mum and that no woud better call some 9th
.'mo; 4 ne messenger went out and as soon AS lie
toscned the park broke into run and disappeared
40 t tne Dis,rct-Attorney's Office
nv minutes afterward the venerable William
hny nnycKo,an, for nearly half century stock aud
30, ICnd clerk In the Finance Department. appeared at
th tno vWoof lie bore some papers which he wished
VA ry yof ,t 70 sign. Much to his astcnishment he