New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-11-20
LETTER FROM MATTHEW r. BRENNAN.

r. ths Editor Il IAsN. y. JfbEHs
SIR 1t is proper that the public should know that
me orqs which Mr. John Sedgwck has been appointed TO
investigate are the charges OF M Arson Heick made against
me IN the month Of JULY ls6j and which heard by his
ETceency Gov fenton at Albany on the 18Th day OF October
Charges at the same time presented against Mr Dey
elm Counsel to the Corporation subsequently his Ekceency
rick complaint to Legislature asking for general power
appoint special commissioners to investigate charges OF that
Mr. Herrick however with the light furnished by answer
and and the decision IN reference 20 Mr. Dev
elm wrote TO his Exccency In The month OF December
1900 Withdrawing the charges stating In his communication,
among other things, the following:
have been engaged Tor long peou ih IDicn ana per
sOna controversy against prominent and powerful interest ia
the Democratic parry Of which am member For
satisfactory TO myself was DESTROYS OF change Of political
power my party and earnestly desired 20 secure the re-
mOvs Of Mr. Brennan from the position Of Controller as one
TO that end To have accomplished TINS result would
have been 10 me great personal triumph and as believed
when made nv charges public benefit
assured by leading members Of the Republican party
how closely identified with tie state Executive need not
10 your Excellence that FAIR preteki could be presented Tor
the exercise OF the power OF removal vested IN your EAceehy
Mr. should be removed. and negotiations
eordngy entered into as had reason TO believe with your
EKcelencys approval TO secure ms once Win NJ powerful
patronage and influence 20 the Republican party by tie up
pOnmen OF prominent member Of that party then recently
removed from the Coleet0shp OF THIS port to That Office
These negotiations had almost progressed to maturity be-
fore the charges presented by and assume
10 view ofthe facts with your Exceency saPpoyaL should
observe that the design then not to transfer the control OF
the city through legislation but through bargain arrange
with the present Mayor and Board OF Aldermen after
your EKceency had exercised the power OF removal vested In
you .
friends Of your Bxceleney to present my charges and had
reason 10 believe Of these facts that 20 be
IN the object had IN view and which thus hamonized
with the designs Of the Republican party II had been my
business stimulated by the personal controversy In which
have enlisted watch corporations OF the Finance De
partment assa every act which could hinge
impnatOn With the favOfing inducements held
embodied every Of the Controller which believed asaa
IN the form Of CHARGES and presented them to yOur Excel
isSoS z %IfH!%r. Elt---5+r ~ NJ. Taa
THE Controller IN his answer set forth the facts under
which the question performed and on the issue
thus made gave public hearing 10 the parties and 60
their counsel ] now find that after long delb'
Grafton yOu have rrcaly reached result except as to
Mr Deven aud tie assurance which had before took the
FIRST step Afr Brennan should be dismissed has not been
kept An The time labor and expense which had Incurred
on bshalf OF reform has thus resulted iressy and think
resAou 10 complain Of the treatment which have re-
oeved have certainly been egrousy deceived sud II Is
myself the public should know the circumstances
under which have been pnced in my present attitude.
The decision which your E1ceeDcy has arrived In re
gard Deven materially changes the whole aspect Of the
case w ir as Mr. Brennan concerned When presented
my charges against Mfr Brennan had no means OF knowing
any Of the Sis Connected with the transactions on which no
wGs arraned except the pu-c records furnished
ana evtrr c,sn equally with myself had access md
made such allegations believed te lace Of ihe UansAcoha
In each instance 10 warrant
In Mr. reply he has shown In regard to nehry
every material charge that Re acted under The direct written
advice of Mr. Deveiin N'0unse 90 The Corporation Yet
In your decision while afuouncing judgment 70 AR Bcn
nan you wholly eroncrute Mr.. Devehn.
90" cannot be blind 10 justice lie public judgment at 70
believe that the legal Officer WLO advised act % be done Is
valid and proper be eIemlted nom It'p,usaby "h1e