New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-05
MAYOR SHOWS HIS HAND.
ATTITUDE TOWARD THE PRESENT
SCHOOL BOARD DISCLOSED.

AND COMMISSIONER TAFT AT THE CITY HALL.
President Charles Bulkley Hubbell and Com
missioner Henry w. Taft. OF the Board Of Ed
ucation. went to see Mayor Van Wyck yesterday
with view to having an understanding about
the reported intention of the Mayor to remove
several School Commissioners from Office. They
did not succeed in getting much of an under
standing, but they did get into fuss with the
Mayor Immediately. and newspaper men in
'he Mayors Office were treated to an unex-
pected entertainment. The two School Commits
siorc talked In low tones, so that what they
sald TO the Mayor could not be caught by the
listeners, but Mayor Van Wyck talked so loudly
that his words could be heard plainly IN all
parts OF the room The first remark of the
Mayor came Ike an explosion. after he had lis
tened impatiently to some remarks by President
IIubbell
i do not intend to tell you or anybody else
who intend to appoint or what intend to
do said the Mayor. when I get ready will
make my appointments, and 60 not intend 10
ask your advice in the matter"
Mr. Hubbe made some further remarks, and
then the Mayor said with emphasis
i refuse to meet any committee from you
or TO interfere In your department You repre-
sent one branch Of the government, and repre-
sent another You keep to yours. ard I'll keep
TO mine Will not have any Interference from
you IN any matter. | want you to understand
that am not going to run this government on
the bass Of a lot OF commissioners coming TO
me and making bargains with me about what
shall do"
Mr. Hubbell and Mr.. Taft changed the subject
and talked TO the Mayor about the recent ap-
poirtment Of high school principals who were
! brought from other States. Presently the Mayor
said:
1 will tell you this. that am much dissat!s-
fed with some things that your Board has done
particularly your conduct In bringing people
from distant States here to teach in our schools
think that was an outrage and l will prevent
any more of II II have the power We will see
II teachers for schools cannot be found here
at home"
One Of the Commissioners made some COM
ment, which could not be heard and then the
Mayor said with much emphasis:
Il am not discussing the question With you
whether have power or not. am not going 10
your Board TO learn what power l have. If |
find that have power to prevent teachers from
being brought here from other States III do it;
If haven't the power. l regret it,"
To another question the Mayor replied: What
have you to do with that? There's no occasion
lOi SOui llNelltlIllS III any department Out your
own"
The Commissioners got UP to go, and the
Mayors parting shot was: well, you got your
answer. didn't you?"
AS the Commissioners were leaving the Office
newspaper men tried to get from Mr. Taft some
explanation Of what had caused the Mayors
anger All Mr.. Taft would say then was: '7-ou
heard what the Mayor said
Mayor Van Wyck declined to make any expla-
nation 70 the newspaper men. Later he declared
that he was not going to run the city govern
ment by interviews, and he not going to
tell in advance what he going TO do. My
administration will have to be Judged by my
acts not by interviews" he said
At the Board OF Education later Mr. Taft gave
out the following statement
Mr Ilubbel ard Mr. Taft called upon the Mayor
after having written letter requesting inter-
view stating the subject which they wished 10
lay before him. The letter was responded 20 and
Leu stets1 in thH Navor that n IL vas his inten-
ton to appoint members Of the Board OF Educa-
OF any members Of the old Board had expired he
question to whether he had tnat right would
lead to confusion IN the administra;icn Of the
now constituted. dcsirous OF avoiding any
such situation. Uncertainty as to the validity
FIVE thousand teachers and of the approval of
contracts FOR buildings involving the expenditure
acts seemed 10 members OF the Board TO make
II desirable IN the public Interest that any ques-
tiou relating the power OF the Mayor in the
premises should he determined by the courts
speedily q possible.
on the assumption tha: tae Mayor as desir-
Gus as the Commissioners OF having the puOlic
business expedited ard OF avoiding confusion. y
was suggested that it vCuld he agreeable 10 the
Commissioners to avoid assuming any position
antagonistic 10 the Rdmnistraton and TO have
The question (Which so far - the existence Of any
power on his part is concerned, i admittedly ex-
tremely doubtful determined upon test case to
be submitted to the Appellate Division Of the Sl-
prcne Court. IN which the facts should he agreed
upon. In order that a speedy and authoritative de-
cfsion could be rendered without prejudice to the
20 cOnstrue such n suggestion as an undue inter-
ference with the exercise OF his executive powers.
The Commissioners had such intention. and
made remarks which seemed to have called FOR
the somewhat heated expression which His Honor
IL reported TO have used.
Mr. Hubbe said to a Tribune reporter last
night: Some Of the papers have misrepre
sented the meeting in the Mayors office. The
only thing that led Mr.. Taft and myself. in our
individual capacity. 10 go there 10 suggest
that (, any appointments to the Board were TO
be made the interests Of the Board could be
subserved perhaps by submitting the naked
law questions 10 the courts, upon an agreed
statement Of fact There no mention of
any appointment to any o'her place than that
OF School Commissioner.
TRAIN ROBBERY N KiNS4S CITY