The People of the State of New York, Respondent v. John F. Ahearn, Appellant

Summary

The Court affirmed the Appellate Division's order, holding that the governor's removal of a borough president for cause permanently disqualifies that officer from being reappointed by the board of aldermen to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term. The decision rests on a construction of the charter provisions that gives the removal power a purpose of a lasting ouster, and on the principle that statutes must be read as a harmonious whole to avoid absurd results.