New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-01-13
MR.. HEWITT MAKES AN ExPLAHATIo N.
HIS REASONS FOR NOT APPOINTING ARTHUR
prRRy TO A TAX coMMIssIoNERsHIP

BERRY TO A TAX CoMMIssIoNERsHlP
rx-Navor Hewitt has sent the following letter 10
the Editor Of Tho Catholic News in answer 10 IN
editorial OF that paper, headed Peliglon In fonucs
when left the Mayors office. did not think ihat
~ nnrnvacntion whatever would induce me 10 explah
ANYTHING had done or omitted 10 40 III ~, ny ~ ,,sa
capacity thought o1Sa i any c action
Hut IL seems that am mistaken, when nia 81 sans
of mIne giving currency apparently in good faith to
The following statements 1t Is said on sood au.nor
w Ma Nav nOr refused TO appoint Arthur W. Berry his
nryate secretary, 10 FAX commissionershiP because
ss: SSnsoSTS by @ Berry ALTHOUGH It had beer
promised him by the MAYOR You ueh P syTSt, ssi
With nv prrvions professions and uniform practice
IN regard 70 religious test for Office =. A.
All that you say would be very proper II tne a.
sertIons on which you pass your comments were true
but they arc not true never pr9lseo sre .n opvo
lbst ne desired IL II he had not Intimaied his wish
to have Il after had signed the appointment Q, ss
,o rS wrecks On before saS he close Of
olce on learning from Mr. berry dsat ne snnoIn
nenf with tho expectation that Mr. Porris and VT
Kerry. who are Intimate friends, might come 20 an
understanding which would be mutually SATISFACTORY,
No such understanding having been reached on me
3ist OF December, handed his commission 10 PIT
parris having previously stated 10 Mr. Berry that l
dd NOT feel Justified IN giving him the place because
aid not think IL right that the Board OF Iekes anu
Asses sInents should be composed altogether oil mem
This feeling arose. not nom any sntasonsm 70 tho
-
unjust accusations IL has been repeatedly male tho
cause OF complaint 10 me that the Catholic Church
was favored By the noard Of Taxes aud Assessments,
who were all Catholics II did not seem 10 me right
that tho Catholic Church should thus be subjected
10 unjust lmputatlous and thought that In recon-
shutting - Board one member At least ought to
belong TO some other denomilaiion so as TO relieve
The Church OF the charge Of being favored BY Com
mIssloners Of its creed. II the Board had been
composed OF three Procsants instead OF three Cath
olics / should have placed one Catholic In the va
cancy in order 70 relieve the Protestant Church OF
any unfair criticism. My meaning I'm telling Mr. Berry
that | would not appoint him was not In any way
Intended 10 evinoc prejudice against the Church
10 which no belonged but rather 10 protect Il from,
what believe TO be entirely Groundlcss accusations
My action, therefore, was conceived In a friendly
and not In hostile spirit 10 the church 20 which
both you and Mr.. Berry belong. IL Is inconccivable
that SIR. Berry did not understand my motive, for no
has been long associated with mo that no man
knows better than he that have never, I'm thought
deed dIscrimnated against Catholics In favor Of
Professionals, and conclusive proof Of this statement
Is TO be SOund In tho numerous appointments Of
Catholics made by me- among which that Of Mr..
Berry hlmself as my confidential secretary, and tho
last appointment 10 the Board OF Education, that of
Mr.. Miles O'Brlen. are conspicuous examples