The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-11-19

functions In manner totally unlike that OF your
predecessors and that you would begin this marked
difference by economy OF expenditure. But tne
Association sees, with pain. that you have closely
initiated even that one Of your predecessors whom
IL was forced to impeach before the Governor OK
the State Of New York In the month OF Septem-
Der. 1865.
The following are the chief points Of that imita-
ton which require explanation:--
First-Neglect in refraining from taking appeals
to higher courts from doubtful judgments rendered
against the city.
Second Permitting vast number Of Judgments
to be recorded.
Third Extravaganza in rent and Office appoint
ments.
Fonth--Patronage Of friends by retaining them
rs counsel on behalf of the city on every possible
occasion and paying them enormous fees.
Fyth-Resistance to proceedings taken TO bring
local officials TO proper sense Of their duty.
lSirth-Furthering schemes Of the local govern
ment which were calculated to damage the city
and citizens and enrich only the projectors and
their friends.
Serentll- Overcharging for the services you
performed in violation of the law.
Eigiafh--Advising against obedience TO law
public official of the corporation.
Notwithstanding upon the Legislature at Al
bany 10 enlarge the appropriations for your office
and yourself and thus increase the taxes.
The Association now desires to instance the sixth
OF the limitations enumerated above. To do tins
1t IL only necessary to mention those two vast
schemes, still fresh in the recollection Of On indg
nant community, called "the widening Of Ann
street" and "the Church street extension both
Of these measures, which awakened the most
intense excitement ever known in our municipal
history, and which the Common Council fastened
to revoke Of its own motion after the unqualified
public condemnation they elected, you endeavored
all in your power TO carry on and consummatc,
regardless OF the protests OF the press and the
public. While your fellow citizens were holding
indigna ion meetings TO concert measures for
checking these schemes fraught with so much
disaster, You steadily and ingenuously labored to
tru.rl IN hmm hU ~ md
official position afforded you.
Yon boldly avowed your determination to push
the first OF them on, and when the Common Coun.
Gil, alarmed by the public outcry, contemplated
introducing special law into the statute book, to
make the consummation Of the scheme more GER
tain.
All this requires explanation.
In the matter Of the " extension Of Church
street" you fought step by step with voluntary
zeal the citizens who labored to break up that
|, unjust measure which imposed 50 10000 OF as
sessments upon six square miles OF property, and
which was unequalled in audacity aud hardship
by any scheme from which the people OF the city
of New York have suffered and your last act IN
relation to It was to propose and defend PHI Tor
the enormous sum Of $4,000 for clerical labor
Of making the report and surveys of the Commits
sioiers Of Estimate. OF this bill the Association
speaks last. In it appears charge OF SIS 600 -
writing out and copying the said report That
report consisted of several thousand duplicate
printed forms. in which or two lines OF writing
were filed in. The whole OF the printing Of these
tanks could be done for less than 81 600,
and the written filling would be amply
paid for by another thousand dollars. For
| this, however, over $4,000 was charged.
| You defended and supported and pressed this
exorbitant charge which the taxpayers were to
bear. Your predecessors in Office attempted no
| such wrongs. You have initiated them only to
surpass them, and your record to-day shows that
| in the twenty months You have been in Office You
have steadily increased the burden Of the tax
payers Of the city, and have proportionately cost
them more than any official that ever held your
office.
1t is with more than ordinary pain and regret
that the Citizens Association has been compelled
in the strict performance Of its duties and pledges
to this heavily taxed community to present the
above summary of your official acts, and asks for
such explanation as you are able to offer. Yours
respectfully, PETER COOPER.
Chairman Citizens Association OF New York.
z ORCHARD NJ. HENRY, Secretary.