New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-27
THE DOCK COMMISSIONERS ANSWER.
CONVINCED THAT THE CHARGES ARE MADE FOR
PARTISAN PURPOSES.

CONVINCED THAT THE CHARGES ARE MADE FOR
PARTISAN PURPOSES
The hearing by the Mayor Of the charges asaiiis.
Dock Commissioners Post and Matthews was anlouine
Yesterday after the reading of the formal answers u
,ho accused officials on account of the indispostion
NJ exsurrocate Daniel G.. Rollins, one OF the Guy
counsel lie is suffering. II was SAID from ."o "
ported malady Ia grippe" Elihu Root' WHO ""'
present as one OF Mr. Posts counsel remarked ta.
he was f. victim Of the complaint, and had leu
his bed to come to the hearing
Wheeler H. Peckham read the answer OF Commls-
sioner Post who asserted that the charges were ho'
entitled To considerations because II there were neei
pence and maIfeasance all the members OF the Boaro
were concerned in it and Commissioner cram oueIV
therefore to be jointly charged with the Others ~
select two members of the Board not In accoru "i'i
the dominant political faction, excluding the one
member who was in accord herewith branded the
proceedings having been organized for partisan pu,
noses to which the Mayor should not lend himself
Therefore the charges should be dismissed or Com
missioner Cram be included. The defendant thel
denied all the charges and specifications and asser'eu
that no power was vested in the Commissioners OF
Accounts TO make such charges. several Oh .'o
specifications were singled out for special reply
specification six of charge which relates 10 the
reduction of the rental paid by the Union Stock ana
Market Company arose, Mr.. Post claimed IN the
ignorance and malice Of the Commissioners OF Ac-
counts In this case the records of the DOCK Board
show that Commissioners Post and Matthews voted 10
reduce the rental Of the pier from $1,000 to S2'ooo
wear. Commissioner Cram voting in the negative.
The Mayor decidedly objected to the insinuation
in Mr.. Posts answer that he could lend himself 10
nartisan purposes Both Mr.. Peckham and Mr..
Root know what my position is" he said, "for !
stated il to them frankly when this case was opened
a week ago If the Commissioners on trial are proved
guilty will proceed accordingly If it is shown That
they are not guilty ] shall dismiss the charges. !
hoped that the counsel for both these gentlemen nad
sufficient confidence in my integrity OF purpose 10
avoid such expressions in their answers" $4,000
Mr. Peckham dSclaimed any want OF commence
in the Mayors fairness in the matter and assured MN
that he had msconstrued the aluson. Mr. Bartlett
for Mr. Matthews, made similar disclaimer Mr..
bartlett said that Commissioner Matthewss answer
was still in the hands of the typewriter, but that IL
did differ materially from Mr. Posts except where
Mr. Matthews was solely charged Later in the DAY
the counsel handed in Mr.. Mathewss answer, and the
Mayor ordered it placed on file. 1t makes long re,
oinder in the matter of the "Oystermen's pier old
"a, North River, and denOunces the unfair nature
of all the other charges. They were made, ne say
for good purpose but solely with the view o.,
ousting him from the Office which he now NOUS ana
of securing the patronage thereof"