The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-07-16

is lot the place to lish for testimony. The parlie
here might 40 vel accuse the Comptroller OF viola
ing the rules c bis Office, aud then look out for ev
dence wnecwIfh to substantate the charge.
| The CHArRsAs-Do you know, Mr. Smith, unde
I what authority We are aGtingy
MI. SMiTH-ies; you are actfos under a resolu
tica oil the Board of Aldermen. passed for the pu,
pose Q having an Investigation Of the manner i
which the business Of the Corporation Attorney
office has been transacted.
The gentleman here read tie resolution. HI
further centended that under shis resolution th
charges must be distinctly specified and serve,
upon his party. Another remark that he wished I,
make was, that he thought it the duty OF che com
nittee 70 lay down rules to be observed in conduct
ing this investigation. There had been great as
Perity OF feehng displayed. acd parties should uo
every moment.
Alderman LosD.@What charges do you consde,
deficient. Mr.. Snaith?
Mr.snrrH-Theyare are all defective, in nos pointing
mitted, as well as in not giving the names OF the
parties upon whom they have been perpetrated.
Aldesinan LoRD-Suppose you ask for bill OF
particulars, and the committee then require an
answer to be made to themI
MIR. Sarra-l have no objection.
MIR. ReRAHAM--Where | charge the Corp9-
ration Attorney with compromising suits, Che
names OF the defendants will be SQUAD men.
TONED. am willing to be confined to
the cases particularly named. but wish to er,.
brace every Common Pleas suit commenced by the
Corporation Attorney in which he has received
moneys.
Alderman LoRD-whst do you say to that? They
charge You with fraud ia every case.
MIR. SAiTH-To charge US with fraud in every case
IS too general. We wish to know what suits we
have discontinued. and what is the nature Of these
information should be Furnished TO the defendant
Alderman LoRp-Mr. IDgfaham, Can you make
these charges mere speciicf
MI. isGRAHAM--i can by examining the books
M- 4
members of the committee examining our books,
but there are reasons why we object to Mr.. lugra.
ham doing so.
Alderman LoaD-will you grant this privilege
to Mr.. herahim if assisted by one of the members
OF the committeei
Mr.. SMrH-Ttere is a strong feeling bet ween
the Corporation Counsel and the complainant in
this case, and this might lead to an unpie asant
collision.
Alderman LORD cannot suppose that there
would be any personal collision II Mr.. ingraha m
was accompanied by one Of the members OF the
committee.
NJ. sMTu-Four or five libel suits have been com.
menced by Mr.. Ingraham against Mr.. Haskn; and
we have 40 doubt that this il only for the purpose
of getting testimony for these cases. We cannot
therefore, consent to Mr.. lngraham examining the
books. II Mr.. Ingraham knows Of anything dero.
gatory to the Corp0rntion Attorneys Office. he
should point il out. We want to know what the
frauds are-the books are only able to chow the
suits that have been commenced. 1t will turn out
that these frauds are only in the heads of the par
ties making the accusation.
Alderman LoRD-We will grant You the privilege
OF calling for bill Of particulars, provided you give
the parties complaining the right Of examining your
books.
Mr. sMrrH--we will allow any person to examine
our books, with the exception Of Mr.. Ingraham.
Mr.. INoRAHAM-I came here by the invitation Of
the committee
Mr.. SMfTH-By the invitation of which member
may ask, sirI
The CHARMAs-io ordered Mr.. Ingraham to atte nd
here.
Mr.. IseRAHAM-If the committee are going to
allow their time to be wasted by the counsel I dl
not see why should remain. My charge against
the Corporation Attorney is that he has Illegally re-
ceived and retained money, and that lie has uuinst
fably compromised certain suits. ls not that dis
tincti
Alderman LoRD-Address yourself to the com
mittee. sir.
Mr.. r.IA6RAHAM-There are ordinances relating to
the Corporation Attorneys bureau, and the com nit
tee can see by them whether these cases were or
were not Illegal compromises.
Alderman LoRD-Mr. Smith, the committee are
decided that you may have the specifications you
desire provided you let any Of the comDlanants
Mr. IDgraham included, examine your books
Mr.. SMITH, after conversing with Mr.. Haskin, con-
sented.
The majority OF the committee then ruled that
Mr.. Haskin might call for q specification under any
one of the charges that he considered indeiuite,
provided he allowed any person, under the
Der Of said committee. to inspect the
books of his Office for the purpose OF drawing up
such specifications.
The chairman objected to this rule. because lie
could not examine the booksin any other place than
beft re the committee, and because he thought the
specifications sufficiently distinct, and willing
to receive any evidence to show the manner in
which hr. Haskin was in the habit Of conducting
his Office.
The committee then adjourned to the first Tues
day after the fret Monday in August