New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-01-03
E. G.. BLACKBOARD REMOVED.
GOVERNOR HILLS LAST ARBITRARY ACT
TIE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES HAD REFUSED
TO ACT 4 PARTISAN.

TIE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES HAD REFUSED
TO ACT A. \ PARTISAN.
Tic removal of Eugene q. Blachford from the Office
of Commissioner Of Fisheries. which was the last Off
cial act OF Governor ILL., is regarded rs one If the
most arbitrary and dctatoral performance which have
marked the career OF Mr. I Il, the Chief Magi -tlate
of the state. IT is also evident that Mr. BackfOrd
removed not much he was an indie
pendent in politics because he unwilling either
10 have the Commission conducted as a partisan
machine to submit to the dictaCn of Democratic
ofcchOlders IN the state with reference to the employ
ncnt of incompetent subordInateS in the service Mr.
Blacktord. speaking of his removal Yesterday said
The original law for the establishment of the
Fish Commission was passed IN l56s. and Horauo
seymour. Robert Il. Roosevelt and seth Green were
appointed members of the Board to hold Office for
two years. vacancy occurring to be filled by the
Governor. In 1870 the term was increased to three
years 4 Subsequent amendment provided for rep
rescnatlon the BOARD OF resident Of either Kings
Queens or suffolk counties. 1t was under this pro
vision OF the law that | was appointed in 1870 by
Governor Robinson. The Board now consists OF I'VE
members. and the Commissioners receive no salaries
The political complexion OF the Board is strongly Demo
cratic three OF the Commissioners belonging to tal
party. j. what is may he called 4 Muswump'
while am really not a Republican. fOr | belong 10
no party organization, aud presume also "o"o
hc STYLED MugNump, for the reason that am III
dependent In politics"
Being asked If Hc regarded his removal a. n'lna ~
the Interests of a political parry. Mr.. Blachfoh wpeo
Formerly politics did not enter into CONSIDERATION
ut all But the Board has some patronage 10 dispense
There U.s. for instance. clerk To tie Commission WIZ"
receives 5000 per amman. Then there are ih'ceh
fish and game protectors. who are appoiricH by 'h'
commissioners rnc chief 1i these j. paid 5000 PEI
ounnIn and the Others 800 year and actual caV-
cIling expenses. There i've hatchc!1c' each %
which las superintendent. Thc>c receive N'"ilc>
ranging from $500 to ~ 800 year Then there are
about twenty other employees who arc paid at the
rate OF 81 80 per day 1t had been The practice OF tue
Commission to appoint the fi-h ana game protectors
without reference to politics selections being made
for those places only on the grounds o the eApeF'
knowledge of the individual bearing on tn" subject
and ability properly to discharge the duties Oh t"e
:. ,4ut within the last Two years a disposition has
been manifest to introduce politics in the control
of tven the limited patronage mt the disposal
Of The Commission. Tbs IS probably the anmus
leading to my removal. In November. 1890. we
removed man WHO Lad been official expert
prc,e ctor living at Glovcrsville. lie was removed
simply on the ground of di- ability in connection with
the discharge of his duties lie WIS partially blind
and according 10 the monthly reports male by him. he
was not doing any work. and We received many com
plains on the subject A:er his removal considerable
pressure was brought 70 bear upon The COMMISSION
from different Official sources in the state to secure
Governor Hil WAS eX..led IN the mans behalf lie was
finally reinstated but l voted against IT, That was
about the extent Of what YOU may cal the Overt
act or NY Iq,.1 which provoked the Hostility OF the
powers that tc.'
Mr.. Blackfprd containing said that III effort WAS
mode onporcntv ibroug, the inspire II Controller
Wcmple 10 have the Commission 50 treat the cas-
that the mn,s removal should De piacucaiN i'-"'u"
hv the Roa,d As not having take place Int ~ ms
would necessta,e the alteration "i ne Tccor's " u
Commission he opposed that suggestion "S', %,
Mr. Blackford SAYS he Will contest III" V'io9 ~
the Govcrnor's act in removing him. on Inc er"u'iA
Tint the law provides for de rtprcse' u i"n ." "
Board OF a resident III me OF ihe couh,rr' VI '
Island he being himself resident ol hoo1 ~, -
rhcYra. Navor Hackney. the new c'minsN"hcr' INC
.. ~, pain ord * unknown % possess any knowl
sdye ~ or TO have am connection with matters per
,,i,inc to the fish trade TO the proper me'hous
f,r TIE pres -vation OF either fish or s"i,e, old ba
Mf' iohnif@ Iit sutton MARKET Since hi early
Month lie has p.uspl:et l the f>h S',i.,>-, anu H.
3w IN, IN "c iesidcnf Of Eri,alyn. and now i've
in BEDFORD ave H. tat ct% 49,, ne hn, and has
ben a useful member because mrto, I GOOD
Judgment and business slrcwdn@>> re 'iV a, he
g for lhs Office beyond the ra6c ~, e' c he dcrot@
eIabled render @od he @ay, mat 'iC aT rmployc
a. the work could be mu'h NOR pIui' ,o n,rrer, q
ca far a. ms own personal advantages are cocf!h ~
but he is ndiSPo,,G to b mc,hods adopted for HI,
,r,n1val or without effort to >ccrrc some lcpIec'
fafinp the Board Tor LODE lNIhlt'
'" nariG G. Hackney, the new CDmai''nhcI' NJ
,or on tie hills south Of the Ot>quag 'IecR ~ MI'
va then The town cf CanaioUle Montt"mer, 'vu.
:" 1sa9 in his boyh1od the di,t1ci Wa hnheA,i I"
The town O, Ninrcn in which Is situated we va
,oc. ~ Foft Plain. and which sUl'soqWl'N Dc.%nc
70 home lie soon lccamc focal PoNt'tla n' :,
a common school c1ucation he engaged in Un',m ~
q. pioin buvug and selling hops, with Nafi lH[
i'cSo.s IIo va chosen president 81 TIC lara o.
T,1,sces Of Fort Plain from whirh i'ct W ~ i ~ t
Village by PRESIDENT Cleveland ana ' ie GS9 ' OF
iout -ornio If canal bridge fame ma has ~
tendcd and attempted TO engineer ever ~ ce he
@ Ia nocnch 10 vote. In stature. MI IarHlpI ~
~ Tho average size hut lIc fully make" up 'he
Gefcicncy when rotundliy Is co">ip'reu