New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-05-11
Mr.. HEWITTLEFT THE BOARD
A LIVELY SESSION OF THE SUBWAY COM
[ AuSSIONERS. :.

A LIVELY SESSION OF THE SUBWAY COM
{ MISSIONERS. :.
TIE MAYOR SAID THAT HE WOULD NOT STAY IN THn
BOARD TO BE INsULTED Mr.. GIBBENs
CHARGED HIM Win NEGLEcrING HIS
DUTY-A QUESTION AS TO THE
INSTINCTS OF GEN.
TLEMAN.'
The Board Of Electrical Control had special
meeting at the Mayors Office yesterday which
was characterized by no little excitement Tho
full Board was present, Commissioner Hess pre-
siding, Mayor Hewitt member ex-ohicio. and
Commissioners Gibbens and Moss. Trouble began
without delay. 1t was proposed to omit the resd@
ing of the minutes of the Last meeting The
Mayor objected because they contained the long
letter to himself, in which the Commission again
requests the Mayor to order the poles and wires
taken down and reflects upon his failure to DO
so. Mr.. Hewitt said that Notwithstanding the
fact that this latter was printed IN the minutes
it had never been delivered to him. MIR. Gibbens
said that it had been sent to the Mayors ofhces
and Mr.. Moss, the secretary, made similar as
sertion The Mayor called his private secretary
Mr.. Berry, who SAID that he had no recollection
of receiving such paper
Mr. Hewitt objected also to the minutes bos
cause decorous letter from himself to the Com-
MISSION explaining that he has not issued the
order for the reason that there were no funds To
pay for the removal of the poles and wires.
had been suppressed and left out Of the pro-
ceedings. Il protest against this document"
said the Mayor, with visible excitement, turning
over the leaves of the printed copy, " as INSULT
ing 1t is o long, deliberate and improper at
tack upon the Mayor" Mr.. Gibbens removed
his charge that Mr.. Hewitt had failed to do his
duty in not ordering the wires taken down. Mr..
Hewitt replied that he was not giving idle orders
to the Commissioner Of Public Works to do what
he had no money to execute. Mr.. Gibbens con>
tinued to arraign the Mayor and impugned his
motives. Mr.. Hewitt claimed the protection Of
the chair. Chairman Hess ruled that no impu>
tations as to the motives of members OF the
Board could be allowed, but Mr.. Gibbens con.
tinued to declare that the Mayors influence had
been steadily against the efforts of the Board
to carry ont the law.
WHO CAN Mr. SONNY" BET
Mr. Hewitt further objecting to the minutes.
said: Here are a lot of newspaper comments.
and something from a Mr. Sonny quoted. don't
know who Mr.. Sonny is docking over the table
toward Gibbens)-somc very young man perhaps
This whole letter reflects upon my motives"
Chairman Hess said: should not have voted
to adopt any communication rejecting upon the
Mr.. Gbbens, the Mayor and Chairman Hess
became
extra ST. 900 allowed to the Public Works De-
partment this year for removing membranes.
Messrs Hess ana Gibbcns claiming that the money
could be used to take down wires and poles ana
Mr. Hewitt asserting the contrary. During the
controversy Mr.. Hewitt remarked that such Q
view made the Board ridiculous. 49,.
Il would rather appear ridiculous, repned
Mr. Gibbens " than recreant to my duty
The Mayor moved to strike the obnoxious letter
from the minutes. His motion was defeated.
q TO l. and by the same vote the minutes were
adopted This settled the matter with Mayor
Hewitt He said:
feel bound to say that con-
ader that . deliberate insult has been levelled
at the Mayor say without any feeling but under the
circumstances shah decline hereafter TO attend any
meetings Of the Board 1 was not made member OF is
by my wish and though have tried to do my duty ss
member, have been able to accomplish anything.
only putting myself in disagreeaoe position
that L can continue to Board know OF no
rule requires undergo the ordeal and TO as
with the people who do not appear 10 have the mstinc
Of gentlemen.
Having so delivered himself, Mr.. Hewitt arose,
went back " his desk, and busted himself with
his papers. Mr.. Moss called after him: con-
slider that possess as much of the instincts Oh q
gentleman as yOr do.'
Mr.. Moss continuing to show much irritation,
Mr.. Gibbens called to him: Don't get excited
over such little thing Keep quiet and take 10
easy" Mr.. Gibbens presented resolution amend
ing the rules and regulations of the Subway Cons
mission, the objects of which are to compel the
companies to hurry forward the burylng OF the
wires Mr. Gibbens explained that while the en-
forcement CT the law does not deyolve upon the
Board, il is the purpose to adopt settled P0ncy
toward the companies who own the wires which
the Mayor has been requested to order taken down:
In default of their acquiescence in the manifest
intent of the law and pubic sentlments
and in case the local authorities fail
to do their duty, the Board shall take up the cud-
gels and by every lawful means, by obtaining in'
functions with the aid of the District Attorney
and such other officers as will join In fulfilling the
law, seek to make the life Of the contumacioua
companies burden
MR. GIBBENs ATTACKS THE MAYOR
Then Commissioner Gibbens got upon his legs
and delivered a long and spirited invective
against Mayor Hewitt He referred to the May.
ors withdrawal from the Board as a remarkable
exhibition, and said:
The Board has treated Mr. Hewitt with great defer.
and consideration. waited upon him myself and
rendered him the presidency OF the board. told him
anxious for his cooperation We asked him to name
an electrical expert who should be appointed keep him
informed regarding everything relating to what the Board
ought to do Mr.. Hewitt refused the presidency, but
neither accepted declined the other proposition. He
soon began a course OF opposition and fathnding. He
tried 10 action OF the Board ridiculous and threw
obstacles way Of the law he to enforcs
He opposed everything we attempted to do Nothing
suited him. and he originated nothing He was always
unwilling TO put himself on record
The Mayor here put on his hat and started out.
Mr. Gibbens yelled after him as he passed down
the long apartment that never had man missed
greater opportunities than had Abram S. Hewitt.
Respected and admired, with the united Democ-
racy behind him, what brilliant future awaited
him. Mr.. Hewitt had passed out by this tima
but Mr. Gibbens went on with increasing yolu-
bility and growing redness Of face to say that
with all Mr.. Hewitts gigantic plans nothing had
been done. He continued:
We have had fault finding and letters in plenty bus
where are the great reormsi 1t might have said
that Mr.. Hewitt opened the small parks for the people.
established rapid transit erected great public buildings
Fruitful only promises his chief performance been
to seek to destroy peace OF people dwelling har.
mony and fraternity by creating disscnsions between
races and BY inydous comparisons sought
10 stir up in this peaceful city. His administration
has been foth nothing done ought to have
been At the last meeting OF the Board he subjected
me to gratuuous insult and accused me Of falsehood
It is not question Of whether you, Hess or you Mr.
ha, H. tIncts o. a