New-York tribune., 1886-02-21
MERELY A QUESTION OF SMITHS.
ONE OF THAT FAMILY REMOVED BY Mr.. SQUIRE TO
MAKE ROOM FoR ANOTHER


Commissioner Sorire Yesterday transferred David
Lowber Smith from his position as Deputy Commis-
sioner of Public Works. and appointed him an assist
ant engneer in the Bureau Of the Chief Engineer 10
sncceed Mr. Smith he appointed William v Smith,
for several years a city surveyor employed oy the
Department of Public Works. He was at once sworn
INTO Office by Judge Donohuo. The suretes OF '" "
Smith are David J. bean and William Nj. Dean, who
qualified in So 600 each The nominal reason gwen
by Mr. SQure for the chaugc is the following request
from Chief Engineer Birdsall;
In view of the early approach of spring and the COM
mencement of work in active manner, especially az
to work of supply III connecting with ana sup
Elementary to the new aqueduct, recommenG thaC
another assistant engineer be appointed capable OF
experimenting III portion OF tue WORK oi tnS Dreau
and to pay $4,000 per annum
1t is considered rather significant that Mr. Squire
should have made the change Just at this time ID. l..
Smith, was appointed Deputy Commissioner by Com
missioner Thompson In 1884 just after the death Of
his predecessor, Frederick II. Hamlin. He has been
recognized ne the personal friend of Mr.. Thompson.
In making his recent removals Mr.. Squire seems to
have struck at Mr. IhOmpsons particular triends ana
political eutenants. 1t has been understood IN quiet
way that II Mr. Squire could be induced 10 resign or
removed that David Lowher smith would succeed
him II no secret that the Mayor will join In relnov-
ing Mr. Squire at any time on the ground that he Is
not fitted for the position Tho Governor, however,
has never signlfed whether he would be Wiling 10
agree removal. has the Mayor. In express
terms, declared that he would appoint Mr. smith to
succeed Mr.. Squire. There are many who think that
he would rather appoint Fire Commissioner Henry D.
Purroy OF Park Commissioner John ID. Crimmirs.
MI Squire possessing influence OF his own, mas
thus been enabled TO hold his Office long Recently
there have been indications that Mr.. thompson ana
the Mayor in accOrc on this matter than Or-
mery and Mr. Squire it is thought deeted IT Dest 10
remove his possible out Of the direct hne
Ii IL asserted that William V. Smith is personal
friend OF Mr. Thompson's. and Mr. Squres friends are
anxious to have it appear that there Is no special slg
nidcance in the change. The new deputy was born at
Fort Edward ~ Y, in 1872 He comes OF an engl-
neeling family his grandfather having been Deputy
Street Commissioner OF this city i'll 1886. The pres
ent Deputy has been city Surveyor for more than
eighteen years. - =. ~,
William " Smiths intimacy Will Mr.. Thompson
dates back several years. lie associated with Mr.
Thompson Edward Cooper, Maurice j. Power and
Others In the endeavor to gain control OF the ianah
Society in the April election OF 1851. For some ne
rrt you. that election Mr. Thompson and his rends
had persstenty blackballed candidates for member
ship in order prevent the Kelly party from acquiring
strength Mr. Smith was one of those who attended
every meeting and at the election hc used every en-
delvor to drum mp votes for tho opposition ticket
Since then he has beeD favored surveyor III the De-
partment of Public Works.