New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-08-30
GOVERNOR REMOVES
PRESIDENT HAFFEN
FINDS SERIOUS PERSONAL
MISCONDUCT IN OFFICE.
Little Chance of Reelection BY The
Bronr 4ldcrmeH-1. III. Murphy
LRely to Succeed Him.

signed on Saturday and made public yesterday
he agrees with Wallace Maefarlane. the special
commissioner vino took testimony the charges
OF misconduct in office filed against the Borough
President by the Commissioners of Accounts.
that three of the specifications substantially
charge the defendant with serious personal mis-
conduct. and il any of them has been clearly
proved a proper case for removal will be pre-
sented"
The opinion was expressed in The Bronx last
night that the removal of President Haffen
meant the political downfall of a leader who for
years has been supreme in the affairs of thAs
part of the city.
There is no chance for the reelection of Presi-
dent Haffen fill the vacancy created by his
own removal. was the when President
Ahearn removed by the Governor in 1907.
In the first place. ID is believed that only three
of the eight aldermen from The Bronx (who ac-
eording to the charter have the power of filing
such vacancy are inclined to reseat Mr. Haf-
fen
Even should the aldermen desire TO replace the
removed head of the borough. 1t is understood
that Mayor Mcclellan would not entertain such
motion. He holds that it would be contrary TO
the decision Of the Appellate Division of the
Supreme Court in the Ahearn case. which said
that "any elected official removed from off1ce
during his elective term is not entitled 10 re-
election during his elective term"
Under the charter the Mayor must at once
convene the members of the Board OF Alder
men from The Bronx. and. acting as the pre-
siding officer, direct them TO choose successor
70 President Hafen. Mayor Mcclellan who
went Wednesday to Winter Harbor TO nnfsh
his vacation. left word that in case President
Hsfen was removed he would return at once
He was informed of the Governors action Isss
night, and is expected here to-day or tomorrow
morning.
y ri. MURPHY LIKELY TO SUCCEED
II seems certain that the aldermen will elect
Alderman Arthur ". Murphy to succeed Mr.
Hshen He represents the 3sth AIdermanic Dis
trict and ives in the 3fth Assembly District
He moved 10 The Bronx from Charles F. Muir
phys district about fifteen years ago. He owns
two saloons there. and has made a small fortune
IN real estate speculation For some time. there
mas been feeling among The Bronx district
leaders that Hsfen, who had been Borough
President since the consolidation and before
that was Commissioner Of Public improvements
In the annexed district, should step down and
out
Alderman Murphy was being sroomed for III.
nomination 70 srsseed Hsren, and there seems
% be No doupt that h. Viii head the borough
ticket At the fell election. although Mr. Haner
VIII probably demand a denomination in order
that he may seek vindication at the polls
Governor Eugies agrees with Mr. lIacfarlans
that Charges l% II anG 16 are particularly
grave IN the nrst of these he finds that there
was political jobbsry in the construction OF The
Bronx courthouse. charge II refers to the con-
struction Of Clasen's Point Road through a
sparsely settled section Of the borough The
Governor says he is satisfied the Borough Presi-
dent was interested in the Sound View Land
and Improvements Company. the property oc
which was greatly benented by the improve
ment
Holding this 70 be particularly grave offence.
recognized that. however generous the public
may be I'm overlookins indiscretions and mis-
takes in Judgment. they will insist upon abso-
lutte loyalty 10 the public interest. and will not
eondone the use by officers OF their oficiaI au-
thority 10 further their pecuniary advantage
MANY HEARINGS HELD.
After charges had been made against the adj
ministration of President Hanen by the Civic
League of The Bronx. Mayor Mcclellan ordered
the Commissioners OF Accounts TO Investigates
the office OF the Bronx Borough President
Hearings began in February. 1908 and lasted
for many weeks. The report submitted in June
of that year found President Harsn guilty OF
misconduct in office and neglect OF duty
BY order OF the Mayor the Commissioners OF
Accounts soon after presented formal charges
against President Haffen TO Governor Hughes.
There were Twenty-Five charges in all ON which
the request for the removal of Mr.. Hatren WAS
based.
Governor Hughes appointed Wallace Mac
farlane to take testimony. and series of hear
ings was held early in the present year The
report OF Mr. Macfarlane was presented to tho
Governor on July "a The Governor gave q
hearing both 10 Mr.. Haffen and the Commits
sioners of Accounts and made an exhaustive
study of the testimony and the various reports
before rendering his decision.
Michael Fl. j. Garvin. leader OF the SD Assem-
bly, District. who was the architect for the
courthouse in The Bronx mentioned IN the Gov
ernors opinion. said last night:
Il am very sorry that the Governor has. taken
such action against Borough President Haren.
a man who has done so much for The Bronx
have nothing else 20 say
Mr.. Haffen refused last night to comment on
his removal Louis .. Van Doren. his counsel.
is in Maine. Ex-Justice Morgan J. O'Brien. who
has acted special counsel was at his summer
home
Charles T. Murphy. leader of Tammsny HALL.
said the selection of successor To Mr. Haf-
fen lay entirely wish the Aldermen from The
Bronx. They are all Democrats. as follows:
James W. Brown Thomas J. Mulligan. William
T. Corbett John ]. Hickey. Arthur III. Murphy.
Edward ". Handy. Frederick Hochdorfer and
Matthew J. Crowley.
MR. mitchell NOT SURPRISED.
John Purroy Mitchell Commissioner oG Ac-
counts. said last night:
II heard of NJ. Hafen's removal late in tho
afternoon. and was in way surprised. The
Mayor and / expected the removal from tho
beginning
This is practically parallel OF the Ahearn
case. Being acquainted with the facts in that