New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-10-06
VIGOROUS ADVICE TO sCHMITT.

tention
VIGOROUS ADVICE TO sCHMTTT.
There has been talk at the Mayors Office
lately that when the charges were brought to
the attention OF Commissioner Schraitt he asked
one OF his advisers in The Bronx what he should
say in reply. "Oh, tell them to SO to - was
the advice.
Mr.. Schmitt. whose knowledge OF Park Depart
ment and political methods was said to be small
in comparison with his mastery OF the brewing
business. sent 10 the Mayor some replies which
were we'll meant. but apparently did not consti-
tute a good defence to the charges. In his let
ter TO Mr.. Schmitt yesterday. the Mayor said:
regret to say that after very patient exami-
nation Of the communications made by you and by
10 find that you have wfully evaded the Civil Ser
vice law in many important particulars \ discuss
has been committed would be OF no avail Your
99nsWers we're. to my mind most dsingenqous and
have therefore but to inform you OF my finding
] regret very mucn that, almost al the outset Of
the incumbeHcy OF your office. you saw tit In de-
part from the attitude which your oath Of office
required Of you To uphold the law and | therefore
5arsI 'nat you hoEth%Ith tender to me yonT res
BronS '''''''''''e' Ok '>S ''0'0"SH o. me
When he got back to The Bronx yesterday Mr..
schmitt sent to the Mayor the desired resigna-
ton.
Il have nothing to regret" he said. with
sigh. and look back my administration
feel satisfied that have always done the best
1 knew and have worked for the interests OF
the borough"
In his letter demanding Mr.. McCooey's resig-
nation the Mayor wrote that he had found
schmitt guilty OF vilfully violating the law.
adding:
am also forced % the conclusion that In some
respects at least this violation by him would have
been Impossible II il had not been for the conduct
board. I I'm ifsasf and
which NAV be fairly attributed to collision with
him.
The Civil Service Commission is intended by law
10 serve as check upon toe heads OF the city de-
law it's subsidiary rules Section 10 Of chapter $40
1I tllf "a 9i Issy p,escrlDeS the way IN which
ms check shall be made effective. Under this
ton the Civil Service Commissioners are given
Jurisdiction over the payrolls and should only
thy such payrols as are in conformity with the
l consider your resolution Of March 1s which
was evidently intended TO validate previous Illegal
evasion of the law 10 his acts subsequent 10 that
for the purpose Of enforcing but rather of SUBJ
verting, the Civil Service law.
Even when at times ! have doubted the aivisa-
departments, I have RETAINED from any interfers-
with the exercise OF their discretion and have
avoided any criticism on the subject lest | might
diminish their sense OF personal responsibility and
OF their respective departments but cannot InsI
tain such an attitude when believe the Law: has
that by such evasion of the law the city has sus-
tanned pecuniary loss that political opponents
oath of ONCE and mine requires from sacb - +s
an effort to administer respective trusts accord
Ing to law in the public Interest; and the cit,,
expects that that oath shall be kept with exer-
else OF intelligence and right conscience.
Mr. McCooey has held Civil Service places
for seventeen years. having been one OF the sec
retaries OF the Civil Service Commission and
having been assistant postmaster I'm BROOKLYN.
He has been sufficiently active in politics as ore
OF the supporters OF Senator McCarren in the
Kings County Democracy to invite the bolt Of
Tammany lightning which he said yesterday he
was sure had struck him.
MI. Coer said after his appointment: II ac-
cept the place under strong pressure from the
Mayor I shall serve in the best capacity am
able, and there will be no violation of the Civil
Service laws. The Civil Service Reform As
ISOLATION and the Civil Service Commission viii
work together in perfect harmony"
Somebody suggested to the Mayor just as he
was leaving the City Hall for the day that the
McCarren men might consider the removal of
McCoOey as a renewal of the Murphy McCarren
feud.
Il have nothing to say" he declared THE
facts must speak for themselves"
Jerome Siegel is vice president OF the Siesel-
Cooper Company Hal Bell is a Manhattan
lawyer who has been looking for Republican
nomination for office Eugene F. O'Connor is a
Brooklyn business man who was state Senator
years ago. and has been expecting to for
Office again. Edward a. Crowninsheld is a dec
orator. Joseph z. Day IS a real estate auction
Ger, and has been on terms of personal friend
ship with Charles F. Murphy. Mrs, Day and
Mrs Murphy arc said to be relatives aud the
two families nave spent summer outings to-
Gether
Last night Messrs. siesel, CrowpinshIeld and
Bell made public letter they had written and
sent last night TO Mayor Mcclellan. The letter
reads:
We acknowledge receipt OF your letters addressed
10 us respectively OF this date October - and as
those letters are substantially tho same. charging
ms with coHusion and Illegal acts as Municipal
tlIiI service commissioners. We couective'y and
tudlviduElE make answer thereto thrt such
charges are absolutely false untrue and ridiculous
ana without foundation or justification IN law
upon the facts. whatsoever and we believe that
Eon were so advised and so CONVINCED when you