William Brookfield

MAYOR SELECTS NEW MEN

William Brookfield Now the Commissioner of Public Works

NAMES GEN. COLLIS AS HIS DEPUTY

Francis M. Scott Counsel to the Corporation, He choosing David J. Dean as his Assistant

THREE PARK COMMISSIONERS APPOINTED.

They Are Mesurs. Jailliard, Roosevelt, and Haven- They Will Name the Fourth.

Commissioner of Public Works, to succeed Michael T. Daly-WILLIAM BROOKFIELD.

Counsel to the Corporation, to succeed William H. Clark-FRANCIS M. SCOTT.

Commissioners of Public Parks-AUGUSTUS D. JUILLIARD, JAMES A. ROOSEVELT, GEORGE G. HAVEN.

Mayor Strong made use of the authority vested in him by the Power of Removal bill yesterday, promptly after reaching his office in the morning.

He appointed William Brookfield to be Commissioner of Public Works, at a salary of $8,000 a year. The same document which

William Brookfield

Appointed by the Mayor Commissioner of Public Works.

appointed Mr. Brookfield removed from office Michael T. Daly, the Tammany Commissioner.

A little later in the day he appointed Francis M. Scott to be Corporation Counsel, at a salary of $12,000 a year. He succeeds William H. Clark.

Appointments of Park Commissioners were announced last evening.

The board consists of four, and three were selected yesterday, who are to designate the fourth. Those whose names were given out were James A. Roosevelt, A. D. Juilliard, and George G. Haven.

Mr. Roosevelt and Mr. Haven are Democrats, and Mr. Juilliard is a Republican. An agreement has been made that the fourth man also shall be a Republican. When this is done the six appointments announced yesterday will be equally divided between the two parties.

The appointment of Mr. Brookfield to be commissioner brought some consternation to the old leaders of the Republican County organization, which succeeded two or three weeks ago in defeating him for the Presidency of the County Committee.

Mr. Brookfield has been talked of for this position all the week. He did not want it, and at first refused to accept the place. Mayor Strong, however, urged him to take it, and whatever the anti-Brookfield Republicans may have said to him, the Mayor was not moved a hair's breadth. This led to some fresh comment on the general strength of Col. Strong's backbone, and his determination not to take politics into consideration very much in selecting his appointees.

It was known on Tuesday to a half dozen confidential friends of Mr. Brookfield that he was to be the new Commissioner. Shortly before noon yesterday he went to the City Hall and had a few minutes conversation with the Mayor. Presently the two left the Mayor's office, going to the little room adjoining, and there the oath was administered.

The certificate of appointment which Mayor Strong made out read:

"By virtue of authority in such case made and provided, I hereby appoint William Brookfield to be Commissioner of Public Works, for the City or New-York, in place of Michael T. Daly, removed."

Gen. C. M. T. Collis

Appointed by Mr. Brookfield Deputy Commissioner of Public Works.

This was the only formality connected with the displacement of Mr. Daly. Mr. Brookfield signed his name in the book which contains the roll of city officers and went away. A little later he qualified by filing two bonds, each for $10,000. Cornelius N. Bliss and Gen. Samuel Thomas were his sureties.

The new members of the Civil Service Board, whose appointments were announced yesterday morning in the New York Times, visited the Mayor's office after Mr. Brookfield had departed. They were Everett P. Wheeler, E. L. Godkin, E. Randolph Robinson, and Charles W. Watson. Accompanying them was Secretary Lee Phillips, who has been a member of the board. Under the reorganization by Mayor Strong, Mr. Phillips will not be one of the Commissioners. He was chosen for the position of Secretary, which is the only one with a salary attached. The Commissioners took the oath of office, as did Mr. Phillips, and all signed their names in the official book.

It was not long before word was passed that a Corporation Counsel was to be named at once. The appearance of Francis M. Scott at the Executive Office tended to strengthen this rumor, for Mr. Scott has been the favorite among the slate makers for two or three days. He is a prominent member of the State Democracy's organization.

Mr. Scott sat down beside the Mayor, and the two were in close consultation for some minutes. Then they and Private Secretary Hedges went to the inside room. Just before Mr. Scott went to this room Gen. Anson G. McCook shook hands with him and said in a tone loud enough to be heard by many in the room, "I wish you a very successful term of office".

That settled it. Five minutes later Mr. Scott came from the inside room and wrote his name in the book. Then he was congratulated by a dozen newspaper men and other acquaintances. He had taken the oath of office and had been presented with a certificate similar to the one which Commissioner Brookfield had. He went to the Corporation Counsel's office, saying to newspaper men that he would file his bond for $5,000 immediately, and expected to take charge of his new office at once.

Just before that, Mr. Clark came to the Mayor's office, where he met Mr. Scott. They shook hands and chatted together as if they were old fiends and on the best of terms. Mr. Clark said to newspaper men that personally he would have been willing to tender a formal resignation, but because there was a principle involved he had not done so.

"I preferred to put the responsibility on the other side" he said. "I have not committed any act which calls for my retirement, and on behalf of the political organization of which I am a member I do not wish to establish a precedent."

Commissioner Brookfield began the duties of his office about 2 o'clock. His first official act was to affix his signature to an order authorizing the Fire Department to open a certain pipe in Duane Street. During the afternoon Mr. Brookfield appointed Gen. Charles H. T. Collis as his deputy. This was not wholly a surprise, so far as the selection is concerned. It was not, however, expected that the appointment would be made until today.

Corporation Counsel Scott named as his assistant David J. Dean, who held that position under Mr. Clark. He is thoroughly familiar with the department and its business. He was prominently spoken of a few days ago as a candidate for the Corporation Counsel's office. He had a strong backing for the place.

The appointments which were made yesterday carry with them an amount of patronage which makes them among the most desirable on the part of politicians. The announcements were gall and wormwood to the members of the old Gibbs-Murray-Van Cott-Patterson patronage syndicate. The two important places had nothing in sight for them and their Hungary followers. It did not look favorable to Chairman Lanterbach's influence in strengthening the majority faction of the county machine.

The most important office had been given to the leader of the opposition faction. Commissioner Brookfield will have the appointment of about 1,150 men, whose salaries aggregate $1,500,000 a year. Mr. Scott's subordinates number more than fifty, with salaries ranging from $480 to $10,000, the salary of the Assistant Corporation Counsel.

The announcement made last night of the three men selected as Park Commissioners will be followed to-day by the official notification of their appointment. Three of the Commissioners will draw no salaries. The fourth, who will be President of the board, will draw a salary of $5,000.

It was the understanding last night that the fourth man, yet to be selected, was to be the President.

In discussing further appointments that the Mayor may make, the politicians were certain last night that the Major Phimlay of the Twenty-third Assembly District would be appointed Commissioner of Jurors.

TAMMANY MEN NOT OVER JOYFUL

Mr. Daly Turns Over His Office, "Reserving All His Legal Rights."

There was no joy in the grim smile on the tattered Tiger's face yesterday. He accepted the events of the day with as much complacency as was possible under existing conditions, and keyed himself up to be cheerful, but it was a cheerfulness born of resignation.

Scores of the Tammany men tried to make their comments on the appointments, as though they were matters of no concern whatever, but most of them made a poor showing on this score, and then went their way, heavy at heart.

The real meaning of the election and its results came home to them yesterday with its full force. The great Departments of Public Works and the Law were swept out of their hands within an hour. The Law Department, with its influence and dignity, and the Department of Public Works, with its immense patronage, the very backbone of Tammany, were much to lose in one day.

After Mr. Clark met Mr. Scott, his successor as Corporation Counsel, in the Mayor's office, and congratulated him, he escorted him to the offices of the department, in the Staats Zeitung Building, and spent the rest of the afternoon in showing him all that he could about the books and documents, the pending cases, and all matters of detail Mr. Scott desired to know. Mr. Clark was busy showing his successor some records of cases when a reporter for The New York Times called.

"No, I have nothing special to say," declared Mr. Clark, who took his retirement with the best of good grace. "I am going right back to the general practice of the law, and I will have my office open some place down town within a day or two."

A large number of persons called at the Corporation Counsel's office during the afternoon to congratulate Mr. Scott and to wish Mr. Clark success in his further undertakings. President James J. Martin of the Police Department was one of the callers. When he arrived he did not know that Mr. Clark's successor had already been appointed. He congratulated Mr. Scott warmly, and said afterward to a reporter for The New York Times:

"Mr. Scott's appointment is a very good one. I am glad that the Corporation Counsel's office is still in the hands of a Democrat."

This seemed to be quite the general opinion among the Tammany men. They found much solace in the fact that Mr. Scott is a Democrat.

"I am glad that some Democrats are getting something these days," said Tammany leader Thomas J. Dunn.

"Yes, that is a comforting reflection," said Tammany Leader Lawrence Delmour. "As to Mr. Brookfield, they tell me he is a fine gentleman and a good Republican Party man. I like good party men."

When Commissioner Brookfield, Gen. C. H. T. Collis, and Columbus O. Johnson called at the Department of Public Works they were received by Deputy Commissioner Maurice F. Holahan. Mr. Daly was out at the time, but returned in a few moments in company with Civil Justice Joseph Stimer. After the introductions were over, Mr. Brookfield produced his certificate of appointment. Mr. Daly read it, bowed and turned over the office to his successor, with the remark that he "would reserve all his legal rights as to the office."

This may be taken to mean that Mr. Daly, through his lawyers, proposes to ascertain whether there is a flaw of any kind in the power of removal law either as to its constitutionality or on any other point. Mr. Daly declined to discuss this phase of the subject beyond saying that he had been advised by some very eminent lawyers to reserve all his rights.

All of the chiefs of the bureaus, including Robert H. Clifford, Chief Clerk; Chief Engineer George W. Birdsall, Superintendent Michael F. Cummings of the Bureau of Encumbrances, Horace Loomis, Engineer in Charge of Sewers; William G. Bergen, Superintendent of the Bureau of Repairs and Supplies; Superintendent Stephen McCormick of the Bureau of Lamps and Gas, and Maurice Featherson, Superintendent of the Bureau of the Water Purveyor, were introduced to the new Commissioner and Gen. Collis. Mr. Brookfield told them that all would go on as usual "for the present."

It was the words "for the present" that bothered some of Mr. Brookfield's callers.

Just as Mr. Brookfield had appointed Gen. Collis as his Deputy Commissioner, Tammany Leader Thomas J. Dunn called on Mr. Daly, the ex-Commissioner introduced him to Mr. Brookfield. They joked together for a minute and Mr. Dunn said, laughingly:

"I wish you success, but you would not be here if I had the say."

"Well," said Mr. Brookfield, "I like a man to be frank with me anyway."

"I have," declared Mr. Dunn, "a lot of good men up in my district who would like jobs."

Mr. Brookfield laughed. Mr. Dunn did not file any application. Ex-Commissioner Daly took his retirement good-naturedly.

"I have nothing at all to say. One thing is certain, the new Commissioner will find everything in this department in order."

Mr. Daly outlined the work of the department to Mr. Brookfield before he bade good-bye to his old subordinates, and left the office. Neither he nor ex-Deputy Commissioner Holahan would discuss their future plans.

SKETCHES OF THE NEW OFFICIALS

Careers of William Brookfield, Francis M. Scott, and Other Appointees.

William Brookfield was born in Green Bank, N.J., May 24, 1844. He has lived in this city for many years, and has been prominent in business and politics, as a Republican. He has extensive business interests now.

He is proprietor of the Bushwick Glass Works, and President of the Sheldon Axle Company of Wilkesbarre, Penn. He is President of the Franklin Loan and Improvement Company of New-Jersey, and a Director of the Greenwich and Kings County Fire Insurance Company. He is also President of St. John's Guild and a Trustee of Wells College, at Aurora.

Mr. Brookfield has been one of the most prominent Republicans in the State. Four times he was chosen Chairman of the Republican State Committee, and was three times President of the Republican County Committee.

When the Republican County Committee was reorganized under the Committee of Thirty's plan, Mr. Brookfield had a prominent part in the committee's work.

He was the candidate of the anti-Platt Republicans for the Presidency of the Republican organization at its recent election, and was defeated by Edward Lauterbach.

Mr. Brookfield is a member of many clubs. He is a Vice President of the Union League, ex-President and member of the Republican Club, and a member of the Lotos, Players, Fulton, New-York Athletic, Down-Town, and Brooklyn Union League Clubs. He is married, and has five sons. One is a recent graduate of Harvard, and another is now a student at Yale.

Francis M. Scott.

Francis M. Scott was born in this city on March 14, 1848. He attended the then famous Grammar School No. 35 in West Thirteenth Street. He was graduated from the College of the City of New-York in 1867, and from the Columbia Collage Law School in 1869.

Soon after his admission to the bar he entered into copartnership with Josiah Sutherland, who had been for many years a Judge of the Supreme Court in this city. This partnership was continued until Judge Sutherland's death.

Mr. Scott was one of the founders of the Young Men's Democratic Club, and took an active part in the fight against the Tweed ring. He was one of the band of young men who followed the lead of Gov. Tilden.

Mr. Scott, notwithstanding his interest in politics, steadily pursued the practice of the law, and never held any public office until 1885, when he was appointed Assistant Counsel to the Corporation by E. Henry Lacombe, now United States Circuit Court Judge. Mr. Scott remained in this position during the whole of Judge Lacombe's term, and under his successors, Judges Morgan J. O'Brian and Henry H. Beekman. With all these gentlemen Mr. Scott enjoyed peculiarly close and confidential relations.

When the Legislature provided for a reorganization of the Aqueduct Board in 1888 Mayor Hewitt appointed Mr. Scott one of the four Commissioners provided for by the act.

Mr. Scott has remained in that position until the present time, and has taken an active part in the work of the commission, especially in the successful efforts compel the contractors to repair and make good their defective work. He has also rendered valuable assistance in the preparation of the city's defense against the claim of these same contractors.

Mr. Scott has been a member of the Bar Association since the second year of its existence, and is now serving for the second time on its Executive Committee. He is also a member of several clubs, including the University, Century, City, and Reform.

Mr. Scott was prominent in the Anti-Snapper campaign of 1892, being a delegate both to Syracuse and Chicago. He was one of the organizers of the movement among the lawyers against the election of Judge Maynard. He took an active part in the late municipal campaign in the support of Mayor Strong and the Committee of Seventy ticket. He was the fusion candidate for Mayor in the campaign of 1890, and was defeated by Hugh J. Grant.

Gen. Charles H. T. Collis

Gen. Charles H. T. Collis was born in Ireland, and came to this country with his parents when a boy. He studied law in Philadelphia, and was admitted to practice in 1869. He entered the army on the breaking out of the war, and served with the Eighteenth Pennsylvania Regiment. Later he was an officer in the One Hundred and Fourteenth Pennsylvania Volunteer Regiment, which was known as the "Collis Zouaves."

For Gallant services at Petersburg he was brevetted Major General. After the war he practiced law in Philadelphia, and was for a time City Solicitor in the Quaker City. He removed to this city early in the eighties. He is a member of the Union League Club, a strong anti-Platt Republican, and was one of William Brookfield's warmest supporters in the County Committee during the recent factional fight. He was a member of the Committee of thirty when the party was reorganized last Winter.

George G. Haven.

George G. Haven is one of the best known men in the financial district. He retired ostensibly from active business about ten years ago, but his interests covered so many undertakings that he has since maintained an office to look after them, and they have required almost as much attention as a business man ordinarily gives to his affairs when he considers himself actively engaged. He has also taken part in new business undertakings since his retirement.

He made a name and a fortune as a banker and broker in Wall Street. The firm of George G. Haven & Co. was long known as one of the substantial houses of first quality down town. Its customers of immense wealth, and its high character commanded for it wide and growing influence. The firm is now Hollister & Babcock, in which Mr. Haven and Samuel D. Babcock are special partners.