New-York daily tribune., 1859-07-06
THR SUPERVISORS AND THE TAA
COMMISSION

able Of making law that can by any possi"ht|
conform to the State Constitution. The la'es' dis
coyery in this line is in relation to the new tax |"
voted for BY Democrats in both Houses OF the
Legislsture-which the Democratic portion OF the
Board of Supervisors, with one member from the
Opposition side have recently found to be liable 10
the common objection to all State legislation.
SipRularly enough, this discovery was made JUST
prior to the reorganization of the Tax Office, when
it was intended to make some changes among the
subordinates Whether this circumstance had any
influence upon the doubling Supervisors or no, the
following facts may enable our readers to Judge
for themselves.
Mr.. William NJ. Tweed, one of the doubters,
went to Albany for the express purpose OF defeaE
ing the proposed law, but finally went before the
legislative Committe on Cities and Villages, and
withdrew his opposition. Subsequently he endea-
vored to get his brother appointed Deputy Tax
Comms sioner, at $4,000 year He did not slc-
ceed and bis doubts date from the period OF his
failure to secure that appointment.
Mr.. Elijah F. Purdy was kind enough to write
strong letters to the Comptroller, recommending
him to reappont Mr. Brown, Democrat, and Mr..
Allen. Republican, as Tax Commissioners. 1t was
not till some time after Mr.. Hawes had complied
with his request, by appointing both OF them that
be discovered thst the law, giving Mr. Hawes the
power of their appointment, was invalid. DID they
not prove so oblgng to the friends Of the old War
Horse as he had reason to expect
Messrs. Briggs and Connor both recommended
Commissioner Brewn to the Controller for reap
pointment, as did also Mr. Bell. Why did they
peril a friend by urging his appointment BY an
officer whom they believe has no power to do any
thing Of the kind
Mr.. Roche, his friend George II. Purser, and
the late Deputy-Tax Commissioner Sinclair all
row in the same boat Mr. Brown having other
friends to serve, and possibly believing in the Dem
ocratc doctrine of rotation in office, has given MI
Slnclair's place to another. This change, 1t was
well understood by all parties some time ago, would
be made. Hence the hostility of Supervisor Roche
TO the Tax Commission in the Board of Supervisors,
ard of Mr. Corporation Attorney Purser outside.
Mr. Isaac Bell, jr., last year so fortunate as
to quarter his brother-inaw upon the Tax Commis-
sion as clerk to the Assessor Of the Twelfth Ward,
at 50 per day. Early in January, the necessity for
his services ceased, and as he did not even come to
the office to inquire if there was anything for hun
to do, his name was stricken from the pay roll.
Upon hearing of this, Mr. Bell wrote most urgent
note to the Controller, begging that his relative
might be renstated, and the Tax Commissioners
very weakly consented to let him draw pay for do
ing nothing Again be was stricken from the pay
roll, the Commissioners appearing to feel that this
quartering of useless fellow upon the treasury
was too barefaced q swindle altogether. But his
indefatigabe relative came to the rescue once
more, both by letter and in person, importuning
the Controller and the Commissioners to give him
his SO day again, and they complied with his
urgent request 1t was well understood, however,
although be drew pay to July lst, that his con-
nexion with the Office was to cease after that date
Does Mr.. Bells constitutional scruples arise from
this fact, and did he really authorize his brother-in
law to intimate that if he could he sure of reap
pointment, that the Supervisors opposition might
ceasel
If Mr.. VOORHEES, had succeeded in procuring the
appointment of his friend, Mr.. Van Orden OF the
Ninth Ward, as Deputy Tax Commissioner, would
bis views of the constitutionality of the law have
conceded with those of the Democratic Super
ysors or would he have stood up manfully, shoul-
der to shoulder with his Republican colleagues, in
its defense Failing to secure an Office for his
friend, Mr. VOORHEES, has ventured to hope that he
might get one for himself. In this, if We are not
misinformed, he is greatly encouraged by his Dem
ocratic colleagues, who, they say, intend, if they
succeed in oyerturning the Tax Law, to make him
a member of the new Board to be then appointed
by them. 1t is quietly understood, and whispered
around, but We presume without Dir. Voorhees,
knowledge OF consent, that for this appointment he
is to vote with the Democrats in the Board of Su-
peIyisOrs, for the appointment of Inspectors OF
Registry under the new Registry law for this city,
thus giving the preparation of the registered voting
lists entirely into Democratic hands. Were such
an outrage to be attempted We should not doubt
that the city would be carried by the Opposition,
in spite of it, so great would be the popular indig
nation But We are slow to believe that Mr. Voor-
bies has intimated his intention Of doing anything
of the kind, and now give the rumor in order that
he may take the earliest opportunity to stamp it as
if deserves.
But, however innocent the suspected party in
this case may be, there is no doubt that the Demo-
Gratis are now, and have been for a long time, de-
yisipg ways and means to nullfy the Registry Law.
With one more vote in the Board of Supervisors,
they may grasp the whole Of the 200 election dis.
trcts, and manufacture any required number of
voters. The stake is heavy, and the game desper-
ate. Let the people watch closely, or they will be
swinded beyond all precedent.