The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-05-07

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possible. In no case should it be done in way
calculated to be offensive to the people, for
| their burdens are already sufficiently onerous
| 1t will do no harm to the collectors il they
should be obliged to send blanks to be filed
up by taxpayers, and not have citizens mulcted
in heavy damages for failure to wait upon their
majesties, the collectors and beg for IN oppor-
tunity to be severely taxed
Governor Fenton's Municipal Investiga.
lions TO he Resumed.
We publish elsewhere the act passed by the
recent Legislature perfecting the existing laws
relative to the powers of the Governor for the
removal of public officers. II was originated
and reported from the Judiciary Committee, of
which Judge Selden was chairman, and it sim
ply comprises brief and practical extension
of the existing laws, giving the Executive of the
State direct and effective control over all
those officials, whether city or county, who
1t is now provided by law he shall remove for
cause.
1t will be remembered that the Governor.
after q prolonged hearing last year Of the
charges against the Comptroller and other
officials Of this city, concluded his action by
referring the subject to the Legislature in
special communication. asking for power
to appoint commissioners to carry on the
investigation. 1t was shown last year that
the law did not give more than nominal
powers to the Governor; hence the postpone
ment of action on the charges which are still
pending, and which, under the amended law,
can now be examined to some purpose.
In view of the action of the Legislature
it becomes at once the duty of Governor Fen
ton to select judicious and efficient person to
enter thoroughly and dispassionately upon the
work Of finally disposing Of the various
charges before him. He owes it also to the
public interests Of this city, in view of the
election this year Of the Comptroller, the princ-
pal official of the municipality, to have the ex-
animation 80 conducted as to afford the people
a full insight into the extraordinary manner in
which the affairs of the corporation depart
ments are carried on.
The amended law provides that the Gov
ernor shall appoint commissioner in these
inquiries, and file such appointment in writing
with the Secretary Of State, the proceedings to
be conducted by the Attorney General, who
also will probably designate some suitable
person to prosecute the inquiry. There is no
Limitation or restriction as to the range which
this investigation shall take, and the cause to
be found for authorizing the Governor to act
rests in bis own executive discretion, without
question or review by any other authority.
The power to compel testimony is absolute, and
the production of books and papers and pun
ishment for perjury are provided for, without
any of the legal Instructions which de-
feated this last year. The range of his juris-
diction comprises the county officers, the
executive officers of the corporation,
and the various commissioners, practi-
cally the entire government Of the NUM-
cipalty. Holding this power exclusively,
the State Executive is now absolutely response
BILE for any wrong doing here almost as much
az he might be for the misconduct of his i'm
mediate staff. The power to investigate and
remove necessarily implies this responsibility,
and should hereafter direct the vigilance Of the
executive chamber to every serious abuse and
complaint here as much as to any other por-
II appears that the invidious and partisan
spirit which greatly marred the examinations
last year has subsidized or has been bought of
altogether. There is, however, an organized
preparation at hand to push the examination
into our municipal affairs on more judicious
and temperate plan. 1t is proposed to have
the subject taken up forthwith on the pending
-. l. A. IL
shall comprise more especially the Street De-
partment, and 80 as to take in the notorious
scope Of the remaining iunta Of the 'ring" as it
stands. The Finance Department is the centre
Of all the other Offices and the grand aim Of oil
their operations. From it, archives these op-
erations can all be tracked. Let the matter be
trusted TO really capable and able man. Let
hun pursue his investigation in the sphere Of
Tweed and Swccny behind the scenes, as well
as in those of Cornell and Brennan in their on
cial capacities as Street Commissioner and
Comptroller. Let IL be ascertained how the
city contracts are given out, how they are paid,
and what the contractors mean by their talk
about heavy percentages and margins which
are discounted from their warrants before they
realize their money. The inquiry should take
in its scope oil the fiscal transactions of
the city and the county, including the audit
Of expenses and materials for the new Court
House, and all the other county transactions
which have excited public attention from their
fraudulent or suspicious nature.
The result of such work would prove most
salutary. Changing our officials does not
amount to any practical remedy or even a
change In the existing evils. II is o change in
the system which we want. The Investigations
Of last year by the Governor, and OF the year
previous by the Senate Committee, have given