New-York tribune., 1868-10-26
JOHN T. HoFFMAY AND us FATHER IN-LAW

JOHN T. HOFFMAN AND us IA TIER TNLAW
Is it a fact that John 7. Hoffman is dan
cerous man only because he is the tool of the
Rngf Are people correct in supposinR that
he ia not dabbler in political corruption on
his own private accountf For our own part,
we are seeing evidence from time to time that
Hoffman is not merely the catspaw of the Ring,
but that he ia a part of it-or mt least insists
on full share of the plunder for the use of
his respectable name TO hoodwink the public.
Here ia n big job which speaks for itself so
plainly that none can fail to see in it evidence
of grasping selfshness and political corruption,
which shows Mr.. Hoffman most dangerous
man TO hold the Office of Governor.
The Church-st. opening and extension case Is
familiar to the public. We all know of that
gigantic job, whereby Three and Half Mil
lions of Dollars were allowed to somebody for
damages, and the assessment to pay it ex-
tended all the way from the Battery to Four
teenth-st., between Broadway and the Hudson
River The iniquity originated in the days of
Gunther, and was part of his legacy to Hoff-
man. The Commissioners were John Scott,
clerk TO the vrtuous Tweed; Henry w. Arcu
arius, brother-in-law of Gunther; and the
Hon. John B. Haskin, who dissented from the
action OF his colleagues. When Hoffman was
elected, he openly declared himself opposed to
this scheme. On the 2ith day of June, 1867,
both Boards of the Common Council repealed
the ordinance to widen and extend Church-st.
Thereupon, Hoffman got from OGorman-the
scrupulous Corporation Counsel-an opinion
that the repeal was invalid, because it re-
quired three-fourths vote and upon that
ground Hoffman vetoed the repeating ordi-
nance, at the same time declaring himself in
favor Of it. Was he in favor of it, or had he
a scheme Of his orn in connection with this big
job7 Let us see The Common Council did
not repass the ordinance over the veto and
the Commissioners went on with their work
In December, 1867, the Supreme Court con-
firmed the Report Of the Commissioners.
few months afterward, one Henry Starkweather
was appointed Collector Of Assessments. Stark
weather's bond was fled March 10, 1868, and his
bondsmen (for the small sum of S25,000) were
John Il. Hoffman and I'm obscure individual
not much known in this city-named Peter b.
Sweeney. Who is Henry Starkweather2 lie
is the father-in-law of John It. Hoffman What
is the value Of the office of Collector Of Assess
mentsf Anything the Ring choose to make IL;
but taking one year with another, il is probably
not less than one hundred thousand dollars per
dnnunl BY the Corporation ordinances of 1857,
the compensation of the Collector of Assess
ments is fixed at 81 per cent on his collections.
The fees Of the Collector of Assessments, in the
matter of widening and extending Church h-st.,
will amount to the enormous sum Of ninety
hOusagd dqIIysi Just think Of 100000 for
giving receipts for and putting into the banks
something over S8,50O,OOO. the whole labor
being performed in an office furnished by the
City, and by clerks paid by the City Mr.. Hoff-
man nominally gets sl7,5O0 for his services as
Mayor and he says himself that the office is
one of paltry powers and small responsibilities;
but what matters it whether his salary Is large
or small if he can put 100000 year into the
pockets Of his wifes father7 And with such
Offices in his gift, or within his influence, Mr..
Hoffman's pretended opposition to such jobs as
the Church-st extension, and his actual efforts
to put il through, are reconcled differences,
and become perfectly Ineligible IL Mr..
Starkweather is to receive 81 per cent on all
assessments, what street job will Mr.. Hoffman
ever opposoi Let the people of the State be-
ware of this Ring candidate for Governor He
viii IEaaail1 WV Ring TO Albany just as VIII