New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-03-11
ALLEGED FRAUDS ON THE CITY.
Letter from the isse Counsel GO the Cs~-
pNration.
10 me Ciihsess Of Ns,o- York

To me ttitseas V Net- TOW
NEw.YoRK, Thursday March 10. fSSJ
The manner in which executed the impor-
tsnt trusts of Counsel to the Corporation conhied 10
me by your SURFACES has been made the subject Of sew
eral articles trst published In The Journal Of Commeres
end subsequently reissued In a pamphlet form under
the imposing title Of ~ Ssyiss Of UaaaSrsd and IN
miserable Editorials"
Considering the grave ns,ure of the charges. and the
importance which has been given 10 them by the new
form under which they have been presented 10 the
public. well as the fact that ii true. they not only
degrade me public officer but also blast my rspu.
ta,ion as man. have felt II due TO myself and TO tho
City. to set the case fully before you Ia la true light
In doing this beg you 10 understand, distinctly that
do not appear before you to correct my mistakes or
10 apologize Tor ! ask nothing from your In
diligence nothing from your forbesrsnoe Il ask only.
syerdiet from your justice
The articles to which | refer, make three distinct
charges either directly by the most pointed mpl.
cations:
First That I Influenced the action Of the Common
Council, which enacted the ordinances and fixed tho
compensation 81 the Counsel tO the Corporation after
my appointment; and even altered Induced others
otter the ordinances when In the hands Of the printer
Sscond: That received illegal and exorbtant com
pensation IN the cases OF the street openings.
7AHd That the fee of $1,000 paid 10 me in the Fire
Cases that were argued and tried IN New Jersey was
ex0Tbitant, Il not illegal
The frat change Is one Of so grave q nature that
addressed letter few days since TO the Editors a
The Journal Of Commeree requesting them TO furnish
me the evidence which that charge mads--pre-
sumng that grave accusation would have been
made against public officer, without the clesrsst
proof; and that such proof would be cheerfay fur
nshed to the accused To tina, have received no
answer.
aordf In a.
quest Of the Common Council, by David Graham Esq,
now deceased. He he'd himself been Counsel of the
Corporation well acquainted with tho responsible
tiles and duties Of the Office, and thoroughly vsrsed In
municipal Affairs. His character standing at the
Bar and known probity guarantees thstin framing
these ordinances he guided by what he deemed to
te the best interests Of the City Is but justice 20 bis
memory to cay that he did not advise with those who
10 be affected by their operation, and deem Il
proper 10 state, further that not consulted by
him in regard 70 single ordnance and did not know
that be engaged in the preparation Of them until
ster they completed by him, and printed. was
absentfro the City when all that portion Of them
adopted that relate 10 the compensation and duties Of
the Council 10 the Corporation
let this City on Thursdsy, May "a, lsis, about
noon for Boston, where my family then were, and did
10, return until Monday evening, May g. aAd did not
leave my hoase on that evening.
When left the City 40 Understood the Joint con.
ference Of The two Boards had under consideration
Title 9. relating 70 the Department Of Streets and
Lamp On my return wac informed that they bad
revived and amended the subsequent titles and hsd
completed the same and that as amended they bad
psssed the Board Of Aldermen
! never saw the ordinances, a. adopted, until they
were printed, and sent TO me in the usual way Cor.
pora,iOn officer, ard did not know what alterations, II
any, had been made Ia them You fail TO per-
eeiye from the affidavit Of Mr.. Dusenbury tast the or
dnsnee finally adopted less favorable 20 the Coun-
sci Of the Corporation than the originally proposed
To place all these facts beyond question or eav sub
nit the sfhdayits Of Mr. Dusenbury, the conhdsntasi
clerk Of Mr. Graham, end Of M Mseoy, tho foreman
of the Office where the ordinances we're printed.
In regard 20 the second charge have amply TO say
that the cos, of opening streets 10 not borne BY the City
tr..snrv In, bv those who are bcnehted by the i'm
uroyen,ents The street epenings are ell made under
the direction of Commissioners appointed BY the eu
preme cour. and with the sanction Of the Court and
the laws they appoint their Attorney and Counse, and
for the greater security to the City and 10 other parties
interested f has been the UNIFORM prscss Of The Com
rassioners, in al cases 10 employ the Counse' ee
Corporation, who, for tha, particular dusy' e'''
the counsel Of the parties In interest
All the fees which have recsved, WIN ons sA'oP'
ton during my term Of oGce. have eesn ~" 1891
anon bv the conmissossn; then, In every eass sher
go a .rrsep days In four public pspsa sad sihs
- .,.d 10 hand bas 10 ~ the parties esscesped.
nd .fer copy Of the bin Of expenses has bees d.