New-York daily tribune., 1865-10-14
Investigation Before The Governor.
The Charges Against the Street
Commissioners Dismissed.
The Controller be Heard on the 18th
STATE OF NEW. YORK, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
ALBANY Oct H. lcOJ {


ALBANY Oct ii, leo5
In the matter of charges presented to the
Governor Of the State of New York by james Gregory
against Matthew r. Brennan Controller of the City Of
New York, tand other city officials, constituting
board ofCommissoners. of &c.
1t is charged in this ease that the respondents being
authorized by the act Of the Legislature OF the State Of
New York passed May l. 1865 TO make a contract for
cleaning the streets Of New York for term Of not less
than five years with the person OF persons whose propo
ais should in the Judgment Of the Commissioners OF
msjoity Of them the most effective service, and
be- most advantageous to the public interests, did Will
fully and cor,hpty dsobey and disregard the provisions
aud requirements of said act end did wilfuy and cor
ruptly, In pretended compliance with the said act
but sctualy in subversion and violation thereof make
contract with persons for cleaning the streets Of New
York for term Of ten years, whose proposals were
not as the said Commissioners well knew, the most
advantageous to the public interests or likely to secure
the most effective service; and did willfuy and cor
rupty plan and consummate fraudulent and wastefu
Job for the purpose Of securing personal and pec1nary
benefits to the said Commissioners, some Of them,
and OF illegally and improperly enriching persons who
arc their dependents associates and did, in other
respects wully and corruptly misuse and abuse the
power conferred upon them
These grave and serious charges were presented by
Nj. james Gregory, and were verified by him.
The Controller and other city officials charged with
misconduct appeared, ahd severally and explicitly,
under oath denied the charges
All the witnesses produced have been patiently heard,
the testimony and arguments Of counsel have been
fully considered by me. Indeed have brought to the
investigation of the whole subject all that attention and
thought that the gravity of the charges, the official
position OF the respondents and the ability Of the dis
tinguished counsel upon both sides required at NY
hands.
The power to remove certain officials for misconduct
or nalyersaton Office vested in the Governor OF
the State for wise purposes it is high and responsible
power and il should only be exercised upon clear posi-
tive and undoubted proof of misconduct In this
IL is plain to that the evidence is wholly insufficient
| to Justify mo ia its exercise.
l therefore dismiss the charges. Il. f. FESToS.
TIE cHARGEs AGAINST CONTROLLER BKESNAS.
/ STATE OF NEW YORK, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.
ALBANY, October il, 1865 )
In the matter Of charges presented to the Governor
OF the State Of New.York by Anson Herrick and
Severn d. Moultop against Mathew 7. Brennan. Con
| troler Of the City OF New York
| Being desirous OF proceeding without unnecessary
delay in the investigation Of the charges above named
appoint Thursday the 10Th day Of October 1865, at
10 O'Clock in the forenoon at the Executive Chamber
in the City Of Albany. for the hearing thereof
Counsel having expressed desire to be heard upon
the suicency OF the charges and the papers submitted
until arguments thereon shall be presented and thu
question decided the production Of witnesses will be
unnecessary. Il. T. FENTON.
To Hon. JoHN MCKroN. Hon. JAMES I. BRADY
ADM. Il. LAWRENCE. ir.. esq