New-York daily tribune., 1858-11-29

of Mara Monk gave nex zest 70 the inhdel party
and greatly stimulated tie zeal of Pdr'er sod his
adherents 40 violent became the excitement
that The house Of Bistop Dutois, the predecessor
Of Archbishop Hughes was mubbed, while the
Bishop was lying upon bis deata-bed-
Soon after Fanny Wright DISAPPEARED, and the
Monk disclosures had become understood. the
Atheistic Aefsrans changed their pluuage aud as
sumea the classical denomination Of Loco.Focos.
Mr.. Purser now seems TO have been compari'
lively quiet FOR time; but when the Barn burners
were organized as division OF the Democratic
party, he Iesppeared as one os their leaders, aud
soor bsHame man Of note in City politics. 10 the
Fourth Ward. he obtained considerable influence
as wire-woTker, but was never popular with the
peop'r Although his party had undisPuted sway,
be wss obliged to work until lei5 before lie reached
the desirable position OF Assistant Alderman.
The next year. he was chosen Alderman;
and from that time he has devoted HIM
self 10 Office holding in one way or another.
The control Of the public purse seems to have been
bis favorite idea, and in 1919 he succeeded in get
ting the Tammany nomination for Controller. Mr.
Jt tseph Il. Taylor was his competitor, and beat
him By several thousands, Purser running cousid-
erably lower than the other candidates on his own
ticket. NolLipg disheartened, he went into the
Convention Of Old Taumany at the next heat, in
S52; but, fortunately for the public interest, Mr..
Flaeg eot the nomination. At the next trial, No
yember, lS55, the Democratic party was abolt
equally divided into the Hard and soft factions,
both of which seem to have dropped Purscr, as his
name does not appear in any Of the nominating
Conye ntons although We believe his friends tried
TO crowd him into notice.
From hi. advent in The City Hall up to this
period Mr Purser has been an active and yery
successful labOrer, both here and at Albany. Au
through the domination Of the Forty Thieves"
he was looked upon as the power behind the
throne; and, whenever anyihin, was to be car
red through, it was deemed q matter Of prime
necessity to " see Purser' in the outse: of the
enterprise The first Wards leland purchase, the
Wall street Ferry lease the Fort Gsuseyoort busi
ness, and the Inception of the Lowber bargain,
belong TO this era. At the same period, Mr. Pdrser
was an outside member of the Legislature, some
Common Council, but generally appearing for pa-
vate interests.
In lS55. Mr. Purser was appointed Corporation
Attorney by the late Lorenzo Il. Shepard, aud still
continues in the office. This position is one of
the most desirable under the City Government.
Long custom has altogether superseded law, and
nothing less than an earthquake would more aston
ish the people than a Corporation Attorney wlo
should really undertake to do his duty. 1t is to
this officer that tn Police must report violations Of
City ordinances; and the reports of the General
Superintendent set forth that these complaints are
seldom attended TO, a fact which is borne out BY
Mr. Purser's own reports. Last year. the receipts
of the Treasury from G. II. Purser, Corporation
Attorney for fines and penalties, amounted to
STA l.; salary of PurSer $1,000; in 1854, Mr..
Haskin paid into the Treasury S3,573 ~, while
receiyiDgs salary Of only $4,000.
Such are the leading facts in the public life of
Mr. George II. Purser, and such the result of his
administration Of his present office. Ii there is
any ything TO recommend this interruptions partisan
to the special favor of the People, We have failed
TO discover it. And we are equally unable TO give
reason why he seeks to resign $4,000 ayeir,
with probably twice as much in pckings, for
$1,000 year with ten times the labor, no more
patronage, and not the remOtest chance 10 make
dollar honestly in the way of perquistes. Can
any body enliehten us