New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-08-31
PRICE THREE CENTS.
GRACE'S MAN APPOINTED.
D. LOwBER SMITH GEN. NEwroN,s DEPUTY.
THE NEW COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC WORKS TAKES
CHARGE or HIS OFFICE

THE NEW COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC WORKS TAKEa
CHARGE or HIS OFFICE
General John Newton has assumed the reina
at the Department OF Public Works. over which deep
almost sad soemnity has stolen. Mr. squres faithful
young men, the mower OF Tammany YOUTH look subdued.
Most OF those who have attached to the fallen
"poet have slipped into the Department without pass
ing Civil service examination. They have entered
aIemen or laborers and have been promptly promoted
cerkships and confidential positions Their views OF
Civil Service reform In those days expressed in the
one word" humbug" They now maintain that NOS
only the letter but tho spirit OF tho should be obeye
and that faithful and efficient clerks should noe be dis.
turbed simply because OF change OF standardization
The new Commissioner Is likely to adopt vigorous
policy When he downtown yesterday morning
he presented himself at Mayor Grace's Office. The
Mayor on hand to receive him, and Dstrct-Attor-
ney Martfhe, with Assistant DstrictAttorney Nicoll
came offer their gratulations Private secre-
tary Turner sick, aud Mayor Grace offered hmsef
to escort tho General over to tho department. They
found Acting Commissioner William v smith In charge
and the Mayor introduced General Ncwton to him. Mr..
Smith summoned the heads Of the bureaus and presented
them to the Commissioner. These were Water Res.
lister Chambers Chief Engineer Birdssl superintendent
Mccormick OF the Bureau Of Lamps and Cas- superin-
tendent McAvoy Of the Bureau OF Supplies, and Mr..
McGurk Superintendent OF Baths Commissioner New.
ton shook hands with his assistants and SAID
he glad to know them, that the,
would find him amable so long as they
did their duty and that he should always be glad t.
hear from them. Tho acting Commissioner then pre-.
sented General Newton with his resignation deputy
which was Immediately accepted. David Lowbet
Smith, Mayor Graces candidate. was promptly ap.
pointed deputy. Mr.. Smith urged for this otics by
that element of the County Democracy which has at
tsched itself to the Mayor AMI his appointment was
celebrated By large numbers OF Hubert o. Thompsons
adherents whom Squire had turnoi OF the depart
ment IN all the neighboring barrooms IL is regarded
by them sure pledge Of their early reinstatement
their old places. any Of which stil vacant, Mr.
Squire being OF the opinion that they drawing
salaries without doing equivalent work and that their
offices should be abolished.
BY those who are not concerned IN the squabbes OK
the factions General NewOn's appointment OF D. Low.
Der Smith is regarded egregious blunder BY po.
cians hostile to the Grace circle 10 freely asserted
that the Mayor made Smiths appointment a condition
of his giving the Office TO General Newton. While Con-
eral Newtons character this theory hard to
evc, few people think that his first official
Influenced. Had the Mayor appointed the merest dunn
my, or "business partner" like Iyins, his wishes
could not have bsen more faithfully carried out s
openly said by some OF the less discreet County Democ
leaders that Smith Will run the politics OF the DO
partment while General Newton taxes care OF the pun
lie work ihe deputy WIZ manage appointments anu re.
movals and will not be interfered with 50 long a. h
Orasr are gven ''iSA' Ds Deputy fAS TS6sr sStn
regarded significant OF this fact. AMI
Indicating
for lie ordered each bureau chief TO make out con-.
plete list OF the work under him, the character
OF the upon which they employed the amount
Of salary they receive and VINO their "bickcre are
is pretty safe TO that the question or their gong oc
staying will he far more influenced by tue natur, OK
their "backug" than by the character OF their WORK
ID. Lowber smith is an engineer by profession Before
getting into Public Works Department OF this city
he was employed IN the Brooklyn CITY Works Depart.
meut Hubert o. Thompson made him an assistants
engineer Oh the Cr0on AQueduct and then when Depu-
ty Commissoner Hamlin died, few months before
Thonpson's term expired Smith was appointed 10 tue
vacant place. He worked his way into ThomP
sons confidence and taken into the secret ot
the deal by which Squire succeeded the county
Democracy boss In the Public Works Department lie
was retained deputy upon an ARRANGEMENT VITA
Thompson thai he should see TO that squire carrier
out his contract II agreed that Smith should have
charge of appointments, Squire simply recording MS
will The contract was Kept well enough for wllo,
but when Squire began effect his rsmmsny alliance
he found D. Lowber Smith thorn In his nesh. smith
was reporting all his dolugs to Thompson He also took
1t upon himself dsobey Squires ORDERS negectihso -
remove persons whom he was directed 10 remove
Finally Squire turned him out OF the dspntys oliee
He caus into the Department yesterday shortly atet
In" ho tho officer In charge pointing to the pr
ia which tho new Commissioner was seated
" have orders TO admit 0ne," sail the officer Mrs
Smith rrowned darkiy. "Open the door, tell you,'
he The concluded that he had better do as hs
told and he compiled
General Newton SAID yesterday that be should mass
no changes lust yet He would look into things aud ia
form himself about the practical operation OF the De-
partment before he took any steps toward improyemsn
lie had before him large mail, the accumulation OF
several days and its disposition, he said would fuiy
occupy the day.