New-York tribune., 1889-12-31
MR.. COLEMAN RESIGNS.
THE STREET COMMISSIONER ANTICIPATES
THE BOARD OF HEALTH.
lie ATTRIBUTES HIS TROUBLE TO THE MAYOR:
OPPOSITION TO HIM-MR. GRANT HAD
ALREADY ASKED FOR HIS RE-

MovAL.
Grant letter, in which he resigned his office.
Mr. Coleman did not go to his Office during the
day, but remained at home preparing his letter
TO the Mayor. This follows:
From the reports in yesterdays papers the proceed
ngs OF the Board Of Estimate and Apportonment at the
Mayors ONCE Saturday, 1 that you made of
expressions in relation myself after had finished the
business that called me before the Board and had left
your Office, which common courtesy would require uat
you should have said while present, or have COM
muncated to me by official letter
You reported haya said that you were going to
write letter to the Board OF Health recommending my
removal II such lie your intention wish to Inform you
that you putting yourself unnecessary and uncaed
for trouble in this matter.
You. well as the gentlemen who have preceded you
in office Chief Magistrate Of this city for the past
eight years well OF feelings In relation 70
the position hold. 1 accepted 1t reluctantly ant.
only the urgent request Of Mr. Grace His successor
Mr.. Edson not only pleased with my work but dd me
the honor Of kindly Offering 10 take the initiative In my
advancement to higher position in the city government
II would TO IL. Then followed Mr. Grace III MS
second My first term OF Office expired while Mr.:
Hewitt who nominated by Tammany Hall ana elected
| by the United Democracy was Mayor. He "lthout
solicitation my part reappOnted me for second tem
at the request have been Informed Of some OF the
prominent citizens OF NewYork-many OF them having
been members OF Tammany Hall the days Of Cover
nor Marcy.
or course 1t was pleasant to have this honor thus
thrust upon me- it indicated appreciation OF my
honest endcayors in the public service. These gentlemen
under whom had tho honor to serve lnew that con-
nued hold the Office only because the expressed wish
Of the public voiced by the press, was that should
remain the head Of the department which had organ
lied. They that would willingly resign II II
deemed for the public interest that should do So
have thus expressed myself in public, and 1t is
well known by those VINO were instrumental in your
election the position you hold that cannot un-
dersand why yeu should such advantage OF me as
to such expression you are quoted
to have used.
The law creating the Department Street Cleaning
passed by Republican Legislature, and signed by
Republican Governor with the implied understanding, or
course that Republicans wcud be declared from
poyment hercinn fact that the department would be
partisan, the Police Department from which it
was taken had been.
1 was appointed by a Mayor who had been elected by
the United Democracy, and In honor bound 70 employ
persons irrespective Of the organization to which they
belonged found competent to perform the duties re-
qured OF them.
This policy faithfully and conscentousv carried
out. The temporary OF organization should
not result in the removal OF competent men who nay
happen belong-to the opposite faction But IL
without deal OF opposition from of the nrso
citizens OF this citymany OF them Personal friends Of
mne-hat adopted the policy that Tammany Hall should
always be considered and Treated well any other
political organizaon-evcn in the Gays when she was
without power influence.
Neither race religion, color politics has debarrcd
person employment in the Department
Cleaning All that has been required is faithful anG
honest service % the city The wOrkingman has always
been protected in his opinions and his principles political
otherwise have been held sacred and Office Of the
Department has been permitted constrain in
any way unduly influence person under him in the
free exercise Of his suffrage according the dictates OF
hls conscience
in spite OF your expressed opposition to me- even prior
to your election to your present Office single friend
Of yours has been removed that account
have performed the duties OF my Office conscenousy.
economically and effectively could with means
my disposal consider ring the numerous cmbarasmcnts
with which had to contend. and which have often
called your attention, particularly my
port. This has been atcstcd by the people, press
the reduced dathrate and the superior cleanliness Of
the city generally That the streets especially the
lower portion Of the city. clean would
like to them cannot with fairness. be attributed
negligence the pant Of the Department OF Street
| Cleaning
However, as your opposition to me has become so.
marked make II embarrassing longer TO con.
under your administration I request that
YOU viii at early date possible. successor
ior position Commissioner Of Street Cleaning which
| hereby resign. j. s. COLEMAN
Mayor Grant had sent this letter to the Board
of Health early yesterday morning:
Pursuant to the provisions Of section 1Os Of the New
York city Consolidation Act hereby certify that in
my judgment the removal Of James $ Coleman from the
|
required in the public interest
compelled to take this action by the fragrant
failure Of the Commissioner in charge Of this Department
to perform the duty imposed upon him by statute
The streets Of the city have long been in condition
which endangered the public health disturbed the public
convenience and reflected dscrdlt upon admnistla
ton Of the municipal government.
have hestatcd to take this action, 1 had hoped
that explanation might be made by the Commissioner
Of Street Cleaning which would relieve him OF any
| lutatlon Of neglect Of his official duty.
| On Saturday last while discussing the estimates OF
the Department before the Board Estimate and APP
portonmen directed his filthy condition
Of our highways. and asked him for any explanation
which he might think proper 10 make. In reply he
stated that ms judgment the streets clean.
l cannot but regard this answer IS an attempt to
establish existing condition Of the streets against
which the entire population Of the city justly protests
the standard which he intends to maintain them
| future.
1t is manife,ty impossible expect any cleanliness
in our thorouehfarcs officer who doe, not scrpo
to assert that they in ceanly and proper con.
| dltion
Mayor Grant sent word TO Tribune reporter
at his home late last night that he would prefer
not 10 discuss Commissioner Cocmans rcsigna-
ton at that hour; that his views had been cx-
! pressed fully in his letter TO the Board Of Health
and that ne could be seen at his office at the usual
hour to-day.
Mayor Grants letter was received at Sanitary
Headquarters yesterday afternoon, and it would
have been brought up for action to-day The
resignation Of the Street Commissioner relieves
the Board OF Health of any responsibility in the
case.
! Mr.. Coleman was appointed Commissioner in
1881 by Mayor Grace, and reappointed in
1883 by Mayor Hewitt The salary of the Office
is $1,000, and the Commissioner controls a large
amount Of patronage. Mr.. Coleman is a County
Democrat or was when he went into office.
HOW HE COULD HAVE BEEN REMOVED.
| THERE IS ONLY ONE TAMMANY VOTE ~ THE
BOARD OF HEALTH, WHILE TWO ARE