Year: 1876

The local politicians in the city have been
much excited for DAYS past over the question whether or
not Controller Green would renqush his Office 10 MI
Kelly without contest 1t was generally bellcVed ulat
he would not retire without some expression when
woud assert his claim to the place. 1t thought by
some that in the event OF John Kellys nomination by
the Mayor and subsequent confirmation by the Board OF
Aldermen GrSon would resist by force ANY attempt
on the part Of Mr. Kelly to take possession Others
said that the Controller would abandon the
p1ace to his successor after show OF resist
anee and after filing a protest claiming tnat
he was legally Controller and that no authority had
been conferred the Mayor even with the concurrence
of the Aldermen appoint his successor by reason Oh
the apparent expiration Of his term Of office Copies OF
the charter Of 1873 have been supplied to many munich
nal officers within the past few Gays who 1t Is reported
have been studying and comparing with other sections
and decisions Of the courts the 2jh section OF the cha
ter under which the Controller claims to hold over until
provision by the Legislature for the appointment
OF his successor. Talks with prominent Democrats
brourht out an almost unanimous expression
NJ opinion that Controller Green intended to
contest his removal with Characteristic stubbo1ness
and that he was supported in this line Of conduct by the
committees Of city contractors who put him III honlna
ton for Mayor month 1t was said that In recognz
ing the appointment Of Allan Campbell as Commissioner
of Public Works, Controller Green had made blunder
which would prove fatal TO any construction Of the sec
tOns of the new charter favorable 90 his continuance IN
Office after action by the Mayor and Aldermen in ap-
pointing his successor.


The supporters of John Kelly were very enthusiastic
and asserted that Controller Green's resistance would
be disposed Of very quickly 1t was stated that the
MAYOR and all the city departments, with the Chamber
lain would recognize Immediately Mayor Wiekham a
thorty make the appointment with the appro'a Oh
the Aldermen. While the case was pending IN tne
courts If Mr. Green should resort 70 litigation, MI Kelly
would act as Controller, and the unavoidable
DELAYS in the legal proceedings would throw the
matter over until the session OF the Legislature.
The defect In the Charter would then be remcdied Mr.
Green IL may be said, not Republican; on tnc con
trary be had been identified closely with Gov Ideh N
the late campaign While the Republicans had ma
ority In both Houses the Democrats had elected inc
Governor The inference irresistible that the only
way out of the difficulty would be 10 place the appoint
men in the hands of the Mayor who was the repre-
sentative OF the people, and had been elected by an over
whelmng expression of their favor IL was contedea
that the Legislature would not take the appointment OF
the Controller from the Mayor when the provisions OF
the Charter to all other officers centered
IN him the power OF appointment and re-
,novai There could be no doubt as to
Navor Ely's course Mr. Kelly was the choice OF the
Democratic party in this city for Controller He had
yielded in the nomination for the Mayoralty, to MI Ety.
and had Withdrawn Augustus sehel his candidate
This II was asserted gave him a claim to Mayor Ely 3
good WILL which could not be set aside lightly


During the afternoon of Saturday there were heated
discussions of the snbiect in the municipal oces ana





Green by force, II necessary install Mr. Kelly IN the
oGce. But these expressions were considered by the


listeners made merely for effect Controller Green and
Mayor wckham would not give any indication Of their
proposed action to-day The Controller remained
in the Office all day. attending to routine business and
apparently finishing the odds and ends of work which
had accumulated during the month aud required mme-
diate attention Mayor Wckham early in the day aban'
doned the Mayors Office Col. Harrison, his private
secretary. who received visitors, and seemed TO De
wholly unaequainted with the exciting situation


one Of Mr. Green's counsel, whose advice, 1t is I'M
derstOod the Controller proposes to base bis aeton Is
Henry A Cram. A TRIBUNE reporter called on Mr..
Cram at his Office, No. 90 Wallst, Saturday, and
asked hmwhat course Greenwoud pursue In case the
Mayor should nominate and the Board OF Aldermen
should confirm John Kelly as Controller on Monday
whether Mr. Green would retire from the Office and con-
test the matter in the courts would maintain his pO-
ton as the rghtful occupant Of the office. Mr. Cram
said that the time had for him TO talk On the
sub,ect there had been attempt by the Mayor TO a
popt Mr. Green's successor, and perhaps ihere would
not be- If such was the intention OF the Mayor and
Aldermen on Saturday, IL not certain that they
might not be of better mind after the religious quiet
meditation, and prayer Of Sunday. IL wouid DC time
enough for Mr. Green decide what action 10 take Wheh
the intentions and plans Of those holding different views
IN regard 10 the COntrolershp should be made known
He was willing 10 say however, that Mr. Green had been
advised by himself and by other counsel that the APP
ponmeut Of his sueoessar was not vested IN the Mayor