New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-24
m DISCIPLINE VAN WICK
r prPUBLICAN ORGANIZATIONS FOR
ACTION.
,rpAf. TRACY BELIEVES THE MAYOR
SHOULD BE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. RE
-1ua.rNT SAID TO BE ILLEGAL

NJ
suo,y1.p BE REMovED-MCULLAGH RE-
r1REMENT SAID TO BE ILLEGAL.
r,Ambers OF the Republican organization feel
,hat something ought to be done. and be done
:, once 10 discipline Mayor Van Wyck for his
.,on IN removing Police Commissioners Hamilton
.nh Philips and appointing Jacob Hess in Mr.
,r.n,Iton's place They somewhat uncertain as
cat h,st what ought TO be done, and much depends
-u,n the advice and counsel of Benjamin F. Tracy
and other legal representatives of the Republican
oreanisation.
0ansral Tracy came to the city yesterday after
ANN after spending Sunday on Long Island. and
IN ths afternoon held consultation with Edward
I.uterbach and Frederick S Gibbs. He
tr.mey indignant about the Mayors action but he
q. somewhat unsettled In his own mind yet TO
that Is best to do The Mayor had not announced
,b.se removals when l left town Saturday" said
c.nersl Tracy. land heard OF them through the
rswepapers ] spent all day in the country Sun
d.v and OF course did not study the matter then
Since returning TO the city have not talked with
any one about the subject. ard have not consulted
the law relating 10 the Mayors sction. This
heins the case cannot say Just what will be done
II WIN say this. however. The Mayor. In remov-
ting Mr. Hamilton and Mr.. Philips. clearly commit
ted wrong 1t was a gross abuse of power. The
B-parusan law clearly perverted, and the
Mayr laid himself open to removal. More than
thjs be should be removed as his action was such
4 vanton. fragrant violation OF the law. l think
that law covers the and will present ample
Justification for the Governor to remove MI Van
WICK l thing that the Governor should remove
tho Mayor from his Office, and doubtless he will be
urged % to DO"
HESS CALLED A HESSIAN.
When General Tracy asked about Mr. Hess
he spoke bitterly against him for taking the ap
pointment. referred to him "Hessan," and said
that he did not represent the Republican orgsniza-
ton. General Tracy's reference 10 Mr.. Hess as
"Heesian." he explained. because the Hessians
became known in the Revolutionary War as SOL
diers hired for some Objectionable service. There
is ground TO believe that the Republican organiza-
ton will refuse to present the name OF any one for
appointment at Mayor Van Wyck's hands and
while the trouble is any man he appoints Will be
disowned by the organization.
Several conferences OF Republicans were held yes
terday 1t Is generally understood that no decisive
step will be taken until General Tracy presents n
opinion. 1t 10 generally understood that General
Tracy with the help of the other legal representa-
tives Of the organization is preparing brief out
lining the case and asking for the Mayors removal
and stating upon what grounds. This paper Will be
carefully gone over the latter part Of the week,
when Senator Plat and Mr. Quieg are in the city
and after due elaboration II will be sent TO the
Governor for his action. This seems TO be the
present plan. but 1t may be modified There are
some Republicans who think IT would be good
plan to let the May IT go ahead and give full play
to his weird theories Of statesn snship. and that
the result Will be disastrous 10 Tsmmany Hail
George r. Manchester secretary OF the county
Committee. acting under advice from Lemuei T.
Ouigg president Of the Republican County Com
mittee gave out this statement yesterday:
The Republicans of all factions and their sympa-
thizers throughout the State united In opinion
that the Governor should act under SECTION l5S OF
from office on the ground that he has violated the
law. His action IN removing the Republican Police
and spirit Of the Bipartisan law that both the
dominant political organizations should be repre- es
Hess was rot recommended by ard IS not repre-
sentative Of the Republican oTsanizs,, d9
was illegal. 1t was not made by legally cSns,i.
ex-Chief or the Governor take the initiative In
The nas to Ss the for
days upon charges Of malfeasance in office OF
Case ne as Is the M by the
iorney- General 1t is the intention OF The law that
not the Mayor violated the law by appointing as a
Commissioner man who Is not recognized l Gle Ike
conduct the affairs Of the Police Department IN the
interest Of Tammany? Dill. ,o.a
properly constituted? Was it bipartisan goaTd
with two Tammany members and one alleged He-
publicanY
LET HIM ALONE. SOME SAY
now, and there Is strong desire to Strike bacK
vet Il will take some time TO formulate plan or
action and BY that time the hot blood may have
cooled. One Republican said yesterday: Il mink
tho best thing we could do would be TO let Van
Wyck run things. He is a typical Tammany Hall
Democrat -uncotth. coarse. vulgar. ungentlemany
and ridiculous an understood clown. He Is making
himself the laughing stock OF the town and his ad-
minis,ration a farce I think he will do moro TO
kill Tammany than anything We can DO am IN
favor Of giving him free rein.
Edward Lauterbach was not disposed TO discuss
he removal OF Chief McCullagh from a political
point Of view when seen yesterday by a Tribune
renorter but remarked Speaking lawyer,
however. I can say. after carefully studying the
provisions OF the charter. that Chief McCullagn
was illegally deposed That is unquestonaoie' Sec
ton 80 Of the charter is clear and MANDATORY IL
provides that the Board shall consist OF your men,
bers II is impossible. therefore, that three can
constitute q Board and consequently the renoVai
OF McCuagh and appointment OF Devery are He
gal and void The Mayor of course. had the right
70 remove Commissioners Hamilton and fhinps
and 70 name Mr.. Hess. but certainly he had no
right under the charter to take the subsequent
action ne did, without first completing the Boarn'
Whether he is amenable TO discipline in conse-
quence am not prepared 10 say ANY one ~ "aos
TO commit error OF judgment
THE MAYOR SAYS "PSHAWr
Mayor Van wyck refused buntly TO talk to news
paper men yesterday about the possibility or MS
suspension from office by the Governor or about
the alleged nlegality OF his action In forcing Chief
Of Police McCuagh into retirement
"Pshaww he remarked. when an effort was mace
70 get him 10 talk.
To reporters who persisted in asking question
he replied We'll you have asked the question
When he left bis Office in the afternoon he had not
appointed successor Police Commissioners fhiI-
Fps. and he would give information as 10 ms
intentions. There several reports about inc
City Hall as TO Brooklyn Republican politicians 10
whom the place might be offered. but no oehhl'e
information could be obtained as 10 an OFFER TO any
particular man.
The Corporation Counsel excused himself from
an interview when Tribune reporter souRht one
with him. Mr.. Wh,len declared that he was 100
pussy to talk. President York Of the Police 3oaru