New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-07-17


AND UNCoMPROMIsING REPUB-
LIcAN LEADER AS HIS Sue
CEssoR-THE CHOICE
PRAISED ON
ALL SIDES.
Mayor Gilroy yesterday received and accepted
the resignation OF Police Commissioner John
McClave. and immedia tey thereafter appointed
General Michael Kerwn to fill the vacancy IN the
Board of Police.
The resignation of Commissioner McClave
reached the Mayor at 2:50 p. II was brought
to him by x-District-Attorney De Lancey Nicol.
Mr.. McCave's counsel before the Lexow Com
mittee, who has been since the Commissioners
appearance before the Committee his legal ad-
wiser. The Mayor was engaged in conversation
with DR.. Cyrus Edison, Of the Commissioners
OF the Health Board. when Mr.. Nicoll entered
the Mayors office The news of Mr.. NicolPs ar
rival at the City Hall spread rapidly, and the
Mayors office soon the centre OF attraction
for newspaper men, who quickly surmised the
purpose Of his visit.
The Mayor brought his conversation with Dr.
Edison to a speedy close and no time was lost
in opening the envelope which Mr.. McClave's
counsel handed to him. Accompanying Com
missioner McCaves resignation was letter
from Mr. Nicoll himself explaining in detail the
circumstances and causes which led TO Mr.. Nc
Clave's retirement from office. There were two
Enclosures in Mr. Nicors letter from Gideon
Granger. Mr. McCave's former son-in-law who
had appeared against the Commissioner on the
witness stand OF the Lexow Committee
MR. MCLAvE'S WEAKNESS SHOWN
The letter Of resignation signed in ner.
vous trembling hand, showing that Mr.. McClave
was able to write his signature only with dfh-
Guilty The body of the letter was typewriter
and was in the following language:
Port Chester, y. Y. July "A, 1894
To hon Thomas F. Gilroy, Mayor OF the City
Sir: am advised by my physicians. Drs. Allan
di,ion demands immediate cessation or AL iapor
public or private. and absolute rest for a long
am. therefore. compelled to tender you my res;
'"e '''' JOHN MCLAvE.
After reading It the Mayor ordered that
telephone message be sent TO General kerwln
Mr. Nicon had a short talk with the Mayor and
withdrew. He not in the Mayors once
five minutes.
The Mayors message reached General kerwin
at the State Club the new Republican home
recently established by the Republican Organiza-
ton Of the City and County of New-York The Cen
delay When he arrived Mayor Gilroy promptly
offered 10 General Kerwin the vacant Police
Commissionership which the latter accepted
He was sworn In at General Kerwn VIII
go to Police Headquarters in Muloerry-st. ana
enter upon his duties at 10 a. m. to-day.
THE MAYORS CONFIDENCE IN GEN. KERWIN
In speaking of the appointment afterward.
Mayor Gilroy said: Il might have hesitated 10
accept the resignation Of Police Commissioner
McClave. but l accept 1t now with satisfaction
because It gives me an opportunity OF putting
a Republican in office who has been vouched for
by the National Administration Of his party as
a stalwart Republican and therefore one well
qualified to take part in the pending trial OF
cases at Police Headquarters. / have great con-
fdence in General Kerwns ability and his nthess
for the place to which have appointed him.
His record as Collector OF United States Internal
Revenue in this city. and the fact that during his
term Of service 100000 passed through his
hands every cent Of which was accounted for.
Is excellent evidence Of his business capacity
and individual integrity"
The Mayor shook General Kerwins hand
warmly after the oath OF office had been ad-
lninIstered and wished him as great success In
his new place had attended him in the post
which he vacated on July ]. The General was
cordially congratulated by several personal
friends in the Mayors office
II will not attempt to repeat the stereotyped
expression OF most newly appointed officials"
he said with a quiet smile. land say that II
came to me unsought and that am surprised
at being selected. but | will say that until
very few days ago / had no real expectation that
| would be asked TO ACCEPT It, IL you ask me
why have been appointed | would answer that
in my opinion II is because am recognized as
StaIwart Republican | shall endeavor to dis
1,,tfa Of ha MI a
the best OF my ability, not losing sight at any
time Of the fact that am a Republican men,
ber OF the Police Board"
THE APPOINTMENT UNIVERSALLY COM
MENDED.
The selection of General Kerwin is regarded
in all respects as an admirable one. His acknowl-
edged administrative capacity. judicial tenn
permanent and striking integrity mark his ap-
pointment as eminently proper. whether from the
point Of view Of personal fitness or OF the public
interest Mayor Gilroy I'm choosing a successor
10 Commissioner McClave has shown that he can
rise above the level of partisan politics. his
action in selecting a Republican or General ker-
wins answering characteristics must pe recos-
nized as most praiseworthy and must bring to
the Mayor the acknowledgements Of fair-minded
men OF all parties. II cannot De SAID tnat III
making either Of his recent appointments OF
Republican Police Commissioners he mas sought
for any but the most uncompromisng material
within the folds OF the party opposed 10 MIN.
DE LANCEY NICOLLS LETTER.
The letter which De Lancey Nicoll addressed
to the Mayor and which accompanied Mr. MO-
Clave's resignation. was as follows:
De Lancey NcO.
Mutua! Life Binding,
No 81 LIberty-st, :. ,eo.