The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-09-07


international bridge which is to connect The
railroad systems of tho United States and
Canada, and has been interested In railroad con-
struction in other parts OF the country. These
gentlemen propose to visit the oil regions and
to take notes generally, with view perhaps
TO the better investment Of some of the super
fuous capital that England always has on hand
The Street Cleaning Commission and tho
Governor.
In answer to Governor Fenton's requisi-
ton upon John T. Hoffman, requesting him
to appear at Albany to answer certain
charges Of corrupt practices in connection with
G. Godfrey Gunther, Matthew I. Brennan +.
/. A. Boole and John E. Develin, as members
Of the Street Cleaning Commission under indict'
ment, Mr.. Hoffman replies that as "Recorder OF
the city of New York, and Presiding Judge OF the
Court of General Sessions Of the Peace in and
for the city and county of New York, the con-
stitution does not vest in the Executive OF the
State the power to sit in judgment on my
official acts" therefore" says Recorder Hof-
man, ~ respectfully decline to appear before
you to submit to any trial" Upon this plea
Mr.. Hoffman may be correct; but unfortunately
for his case, the charges which he is called upon
to answer are not against him as Recorder, but
as one of the Street Commission arraigned
before the Governor. II Is not John T. Hoff-
man. the Recorder, that is wanted, though ne
says so, but John T. Hoffman, of the Street
Commission; and he must 60 up, or permit his
case to 20 against him by default Why stand
upon the bubble of one Office when the ques-
ton of official honesty in another is the matter
at issue This may be artful lodging; but it
will not clear the skirts Of said Hoffman. His
Honor the Mayor, G. Godfrey Gunther, at
tempts to be facetious. He has received the
notice of the charges against him, and asks for
an examination at an earlier date than the 26tP
instant. He is ready for immediate trial, and
unless the date for the trial is changed he will
have to rest for three weeks under the cruel
imputaton of corrupt practicesin this nice little
contract for cleaning the streets. He wants an
immediate reply, and appears to be in great
distress that his official honesty should be made
a subject of investigation. But in all this his
Honor makes poor joke of serious affair."
We suspect that he will find it is not matter
for trifling when it comes to the test.
Mr.. F. l. A. Boole, City Inspector, on the
other hand answers the requisition Of the Gov
erner in a spirit and tone Of becoming gravity,
dignity and decorum. He valves all cOnsti-
tutional bubbles and pettifogging technicali-
ties, and is ready for the investigation. He
has been through the mill of such investiga-
lions several times heretofore, and is not afraid
of them. The present charges against him are
but rehash of those he has already refuted,
and he is not afraid of the "New York Sanitary
and Chemical Compost Company" The street
cleaners, Brown, Devoe & Knapp, moreover,
are doing their work satisfactorily, says Mr.
Boole, whatever others may think of their con-
tract. The City Inspector, in fact, is the only
member of the accused commission who
holds his head up and faces the music like
man. And no wonder; for should this APP
preaching inquiry into this lovely job of work
result in upsetting it the City Inspector will
probably escape with a whole skin, and not
only escape but come into the farming out of
the job again in the regular way. This is
pTOOhUlv lid CdiCuIuttou, uus WHOsuOA AA6AS VI
wrong in it time and the testimony will show
At all events, we like the manly tone of Mr..
Bodies letter. while we can find nothing to ad-
mire in the buffooneryof the Mayor or in the
paltry quibbling of the Recorder. This bust.
ness is no joke, we can tell Them; and they
must prepare to meet it as serious affair, in
volving honor and the interests not only Of the
parties arraigned, but of the whole community
Of the city, county and State of New York.
JUDGE RUssEL's CHARGE TO THE GRAND
jury" DEFAICArI0Ns AND "ACCIDENTs."-
Judge Russell charged the Grand Jury on Tues.
day with especial reference to "sin in high
places" and to the criminal carelessness OF
railway and steamboat management. This
charge is timely and welcome one. Such &C.
ton as it foretells will be hailed with applause
by every class of the people, except the par
ticular classes of wrongdoers aimed at When
the people see how shamelessly coroner's
jury will give railway and steamboat men carte
blanche to do what they please with the limbs
and lives of the passengers and when the news