New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-04-04
BRENNAN FACED BY CHOATE.
THE COMMISSIONER A DEFENDANT NOW
MAYOR GILROY CONES TO HIS RELIEF-THE
HEARING ON APRIL 49,


to demand from Mr.. Gilroy the removal from once
Of Street Cleaning Commissioner Thomas 3 BRENNAN
The City Club has taken the lead In bringing Oo"-
missioner Brennan 10 trial. but In It's pcSr'meh' Oh
the situation that body Is solidly backed by puphc
sentiment Other organizations which have the In
terest OF the public heart are Joined with the Guy
Club.
Joseph H. Choate, who had agreed to represent the
people OF New-York in arragnng Commissioners Dfeii-
man, reached the City Hall before the crowd hao
gathered, and had n whispered conference with mayor
Gilroy. Mr. Choate pleasantly serene ana
balmy as usual. Nothing in his suave face ana h'ie
manner indicated the relentless prosecuting ohcer'
The defendant I'm the case looked discontened Ills
lot, he seemed to think not happy one Dul lie
ut on as cheerful front he thought the circuM-
stances would warrant. Near Mr. Brennan was
David j. Dean First Assistant Corporation Counsel VIII
had been assigned to defend him.
The attacking contingents from the various aso-
cations went in procession the City Hall from Parlor
l. In the Astor House, where preliminary cohsuioa
ton had taken place. Edmond heiy' W. harriS
Roome and Joseph b. Bishop were the special COM
u,it:ee from The City Club, and were supported by
John McKes-on, jr., J. II. Mailman. John r. Peters,
w. H. Roser J. Hartford. Thomas +. Main ana ~ a.
Stillwell The Academy of Medicine sent Dr. Henry
d. Chaplin the Coed Government Clubs were repre-
scented by W. F. Crockett T.. u. Dahgrcn The Kew. MI
Peters, X. W. Il. yelling, Fulton Mcmahon. j. Lansuoh
Ervng Richard Watson Glider Charles Iatlan
Samuel Hammers,oIgh. {. {. kr0,s, W. Hainiih bro"h
and Il. F. Emmett.
From the City Vigilance League was Alexander >.
Lyman, and from the Drug Trade Were Wilham H.
ROser and Arthur a. Stillwell. Mrs Iona biru WIS
there for the Ladies' Health Protective Assoda'oh'
ASKING FOR MR. BRFNNANS REMOVAL.
Mayor Gilroy his the eastern end OF the
long narrow table the hands of the clock pointed
10 D. M Every inch of space In the room was
1a1nmed with an eager but uncomfortable audehce
The Mayor slgnifed his readiness TO 60 ahead MI
brennan, Hankcd by Mr.. Dean and Edward r. NC
Carthy bis private secretary, bowed slightly in the
Mayors direction, and then fixed his eyes on Mr.
CIoate who arose. and In his soitcst accents thanked
the Mayor being allowed the privilege OF bringing
one OF his chief slbordinates 10 the bar Mr.. Choa'e
said that the evidence which he would lay before thc
Mayor had collected BY the organizations referred
to, adding:
"upon this evidence the removal OF Thomas s.
Brennan as Commissioner of street Cleaning Is asked
Not only is the removal justified, but 1t is mperatNey
demanded. Looking at Mr.. Brennan, who seemed
to be growing more uncomfortable, Mr.. Choa'e siu
that he was glad 10 see the Commissioner present
to defend himself. But no gladness oeamed ioh 'ie
eyes of Mr. Brennan.
The Mayor remarked that there was nothing before
him as yet and suggested that the course would
be for committee to present its charges ana 'h"'
then the Commissioner should be allowed ume 10
prepare an answer -..
aThen YOU don't care to proceed with the hearing
in his tome I'VE are ready 10 present our case
81 am ready to receive it If 1t is agreeable 10 polh
sides,p returned the Mayor steadily. an READY
10 hear the petition" Then he looked towa" 'ou''-
scllor Dean. Mr. Dean was ready 10 near "'e
petition he said but he thought the usual form shouia
be observed. The defence ought W nave I'm" "
prepare answer.
Mr. Choate after consulting with Elhu Root, VINO
wss present as q private citizen, asked MI. Dean
when he thought he could have his answer Teau!
Mr. Dean thought week would be sumclen'' Ml'
Choate removed his ovcrcoat and said 'Iat nc "o"iu
give the grounds for removal Inc charges hau wv"
made by men and women who had only the puDhc
xrefore and the health and happiness Of the people
Of heart The grounds simple he cohuhueu'
.rhe pet,tion is In writing, and rests upon 'he
statute which Mr. Brennan has openly ueheu' anu
has made no attempt whatever to carry INTO erect
"You do not want to so into the TRIAL before 'nc
pleading interposcd Mr. Dean
.This said the Mayor, is peculiar application
u ,s mt brought under the Consolidation act as in
cases where the Governor removes upon the recon-
mendation OF the Mayor. The Mayor aione r"''
remove the street Cleaning Commissioner. But inc
forms employed in cases brought under the Cohsoii'
daton act should be followed here The compliments
having made their aidavits the defendant onghl 10
have a chance to respond in kind. The afhdaVtS
and denias ought to go TO the public together
ITEMS IN THE PETITION.
Mr. Choate read the removal clause In the Street
Cleaning act, and asked the Mayor II he womd near
the petition. The Mayor asscnted, and Mr.. Chol'e
read this synopsis OF the petitions charges inc
neition charges that Thomas 5. Brennan mas lhiieu
to comply with the Street Cleaning law IN the ioo"
ing particulars
I, Failed to thoroughly the streets Section 7o4
OF Chapter 40 OF the Laws Of 1887 a. aehoeu oS 'p
ter 200 Of the Laws Of 1892
. Failed to apply the block system Secuoh 'o' ~
rallied 70 remove embarrassed trucks, carts, ETC..
hutnC he
Failed To remove Embarrassed trucks, carts etc.
satoned Ythe in the nighttime aad Sundays WIN
out a special permit. Section '0s.
g. Failed boxes, barrels Bales etc., 'ouhu
IN the public street Section 70S
Failed TO take proceedings for the sale Of TRUCKS
carts, boxes barrels etc. found the street In VIOLA
ton Of law. Section no.
T. Failed to provide efficient uniformed force
Copies of the petition and afdavis were hahded 70
Counsellor Dean. The question as to whether Oral
testimony should be taken then considered Mr.
Dean favored this Mr.. Choae thought that this
method would be tedious. Mr.. Brennans term
might expire before got through he said. Mean
while the streets would have TO take care OF them
selves, he added, looking archly at the commissioner
who was studying the portrait Of General Washing
ton in full uniform and his white horse. which hangs
In the room.
The Mayor responded, with emphasis. 10 Mr.
Cboate's soly "The streets will be well taken
care Of"
MIR. CHoATE COMPLIMENTS TIE MAYOR.
Mr. Choate made n graceful gesture toward MI.
Cilroy and said: ave think that since Your Honor
took charge OF the street Cleaning Department per-
sonally during the absence OF Commissioner Brennan
they have been welt taken care Of
laugh greeted this complimentary allusion TO the
Mayors early morning trips OF inspection. Before
quiet was wholly restored the Mayor said something
which contained an alusion to the interest OF Mr.
Brennan"
But think Of the interest OF millions CT people In
having the streets kept cean.' returned Mr.. Choate
aYou will find that the streets will be kept clean
now said the Mayor.
ave will feel sure Of this II the Mayor Will act
A Street Cleaning Commissioner Mr.. Choate's
response.
Mr. Dean said that he would examine Mr. Choate's
witnesses Mr.. Choate said that what he feared was
delay. "Summer is coming" he said.
"If we were TO judge by the heat OF this room.
~ Lau ole Dr.