The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-03-31
The Aims House Disbursc ments.

The remarks in the HERALD of the 9Th inst. rea
tive to the enormous and most extravagant expen-
diture of the peoples money by the Ten Governors
Of the Aims House, havecaused much serious think
ing among the tax payers of this over burthened
city. read the article several times before could
believe my own senses, and laid down the paper
with the conclusion that there must have been
some error in transcribing the figures /. however,
examining the Comptroller report for 1851, find
that your statement. so far from being an exaggc-
ration fell short of the amount drawn from the city
by those gentlemen during the past year. The
count stands thus--
Cost Of Aims House. $40 sos 81
Rel air, OF Aims House. 10000 90
Sl7o535 81
Work house NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 4j 90 %
TOTAL SJlD JJo "a
Thus il appears that over half million of dollars
have been expended in that department, Of which
the Ten Governors had the entire control, and Of
the expenditure Of which they give no specific ac-
count, but merely make report under general
heads to suit themselves
Under preyious organizations il was not 30; all
the vouchers or bills recepted were filed in the
Office Of the Comptroller, showing not only the
amount expended, but for what purpose il had been
used They were examined by that officer, and
subject to the inspection of the Finance Committee
Of both Boards of The Common Council, and indeed,
any citizen who had reason to suspect that there
was hing wrong, might satisfy himself by appli-
cation 70 that officer. Now, under the entire con
ierent They spend the money as they please, and
for what they please. They employ as many
they please, and purchase the goods from whom
they will. and pay whatever price they fit, audit.
and pay the bills of their contracting; keep in
their own possessions. and from public view, the
vouchers. as IL il were their own money they were
spending, and nobody elses business how or for
what they may have used it. This certainlys avery
strange state of things, and think unprecedented
in our city government, especially as the Ten Co.
veinors, nor any Of their subordinates, give bonds
for the faithful performance of their duty.
The following extract from the Comptrollers 70.
port shows how completely the tex payers are at
the mercy Of those funetionares "The Board Of
ally for the support Of sad department. and tho Su-
peisors by law required to raise and collect by
tax the amount 30 determined by the said Cover.
nors." Comment shere unnecessary. The simple
and plain state Of the case is that however great
the sum may be which they demand, it ismperativs
the Board Of Supervisors to raise and collect the
same by taxation. What may be expected in the
future may not only be judged from the past, but
the present demands ofthat Independent and respon-
sible board shows most certainly. The Comptrol-
ler's report shows
Balance hand January 1852 Of. S2035 "a
Appropriation for Aims House ......,..,3 100000 90
Do. for repairs Of Aims House. 49,. 900 90
Estimating the receipts Of the department to
be the same ms in 1861. which the Governors
used instead Of paying 1t into the City Urea
sury.....,.s .-s..t...,......s..,..,,.. jZOO0 w
Total. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. $472oa5 "a
Balance, January l, 1862 OF Work
houselund. .....,...,........S2l 90
Appropriation asked for ........ 5000 SZ7 100 90
Total, ........................, $439.125 "a
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