The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-08-03
THE BOARD OF AUDIT.

Among the acts passed BY the last Legislature
creating and defining the powers OF Board Of Audit
and vesting In authority to hear and determine all
settled claims against the city which had aris prior to
January l. 1867 Tho bill bore modest ttr, ana from
casual examination people would DO ap TO pass thy
and overlook 1t a. not entitled TO seriow consideration
An inquiry into its vast powers howev. s sufficient to
awaken alarm and anxiety for It's copeacI hsaiess-
aiivo commission clothed with ext<ordinay discretion
assuming the right BY Lecislate enactment TO adjudi-
cate upon and determine tn validity or invalidy Of
honest or dishonest claims against the Corporation OF
the osens,be purposes ld objects OF such organiza
ton much Of favor-,ie nature may be said, but
then its compostir s such as 10 awaken to Of
their opportupy all the political contract schemers,
whose demar have been Itigatcd before courts and
have beea pronounced by them as being unwar-
rautabu fraudulent and against public policy; and all
tho claims for imaginary benefits conferred upon
ne city, which have from discrepancy, rnvadity or
obviously unjust laid within the pigeon holes
almost forgotten, will DO ransacked with view lob
by.ng and adjustment through the Board. The best
laid schemes Of men aud mice oft gang agley;" and
numerous instances may be cited in which lAudable
intentions have been crushed and perverted by the
very which intended 10 foster and support
them.
This unfortunately for generation Is not tho age
OF praiseworhy intention but rather Of personal benefits
and there be no doubt that the Board of Audit
intended further private ends by the assumption Of
the "sheop's clothing" The oct insttuting il was
originated through the influence Of the spolsmen Of
both parties and for their sole benefit and one Of the
grand chances for these cquos Of politicians and
their near and dear friends tho contractors TO tako the
last dollar out Of the city treasury and increase the -s
Of this already overburdened but patien, and
fering community Whatever Of refor~ h'gnt nave
boon needed In the old system Of adjusanen'o claims
against municipal government pS'o no room Tor
doub. that he 10 the mo- dangerous ana COR
rup, that could possibly be devil
Instance Of tho uscs 10 aich II would be applied
by those most directly allrsu W iound In inc fact
o., ,h a uck,.v :, It cleaning contract which had
ham orrosoa in m courts and had been finally con.
..sr.a ~ m failure has arisen from ts char
no, ho... ala, aud with the dust brushed from Its
$3.50 ion soon TO be brought before the
na for dissection and ultimate recognition favor
able judgment This was a simple four hundred thou
sand dollar Job, and items such that usually WELD
powerful Influences Now, is amply demon strated
fad that organization welding such powers as those
assigned 70 the Board Of Audit can withstand the ire
mendous pressure which brought 10 bear upon Il BY
the and cques OF this city, to avoid the waste
Of time and money II highly desirable that no butt
should be erected for those marksmen to aim at Re.
Gently move has been made IL tho right direction and
one which will lead TO struggle no mean proportions
between the partisans and opponents of III, scheme
An Injunction has been issued by the Supreme Court
restraining the Board from meeting, audt.uz awarding
or adjusting any Of the claims which may Va brought
before It, tho ground mainly OF its uncoD,tituton.
Atty; and will prove interesting TO those VINO have
any doubts regarding the corruption OF tho scheme 10
watch the tremendous effort that will be made ere long
10 secure the dissolution Of that injunction.