The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-10-28
THE MAYOR AND THE COLLECTORS OF As
SESSMENTS.
cHAMBEnLAls's OFFICE, oct. n, i:

cHAMBERLAIN's OFFICE, Oct. Il, 1865.
TO TBE EDITOR or THE HERALp:-
unaccustomed to newspaper notoriety, and desir-
ing To remain the ''Obscure indvdual'' referred to
in tine radical organ OF Monday, should not have
ventured to write letter 10 the public through the
press except under the special invitation or your
editorial OF to-day. In publishing the substantial
part OF one OF the libels Of Greeley Mayor Hof-
man In regard to the Office OF Collector OF ASSESS
ments you state II will give you my ''say" on the
point at issue you may believe me. l have TO state
that there IL not . grain OF truth to justify
Greeley's attack. II is one OF the strong
inventions OF The enemy; for the fasehoods
OF Greeley have a certain masculine merit-they are
vigorous and ab'e-boded and command certain
kind OF resDect for their audacious proportions l
shall not ask you to rely my ''say but give You
undeniabe facts The article from which you quote,
while exhibiting all the usual traits Of gigantic
misrepresentation for which Greeley has earned
conspicuous notorlety has the additional ele-
ments OF meanness and an alteration or mis-
representation of the record amounting TO
forgery. The article III question referring to
the Church street opening and Mr.. Starkweather,
the Collector sates:-'By the Corporation ord-
nances OF 1857 the compensation OF the Collector Of
Assessments Is fixed at two and a half per cent on
his collections. The fees OF the Collector of ASSESS
Church street will amount to the enormous OF
500 900. Just think OF 800. 0OO.''
II win he observed that Greeley quotes the ord
nance OF 1867 the foundation and justification Of
his attack. The writer OF the article knew perfectly
well that the ordinance which ne cited Of eteven
years ago had no relation to the question. Its cta-
ton is nothing more than a mean and piti ul fraud
10 impose on the public. The ordinance which does
apply may be found III the Revised Ordinances Of
1866 page l82, as ioows:-..sec. $50. The collectors
a Rnln
sation for their services an equal part Of two and
half per cent on all collected &c.
There practically six deputies, and the fees Of
two and half per cent charged for the collection nj
assessments is divided between seven officers
equally instead of being the sole compensation OF lie
collector.
Again, the article cited SAYS the labor is performed
''by clerks paid by the city, This IL another DELHI
crate and wlfn falseho0d. The writer Of the article
who is so minute and particular in hIs statements
and who digs up an obsolete ordinance which had
been repealed to justify it's libel and who examines
80 closely m 10 ascertain who surcties the
of1cia bond Of the Collector, knew the fact well
enough. The fact is that all the charges OF the
Office, bookkeepers, clerks and a other subordi-
mates, paid out or the commissions and the city
does nor pay single cent for ccrki hire or any
other charge The records Of the Comprroer's Office,
the ordinances and the published financial reports
show this.
Mr.. starKwesther, the Collector. is a gentleman
universally known and respected as q retired incr-
chant OF experience, capalty and integrity, fitted
for such an once OF high trust ana responsibility Ms
that in question: and precisely the character Of man
whom private citizens would select for like post
ton lie was not appointed 10y Mayor Holman and
does not hold his ONCE In any manner subject to his
control
The compensation Of the Bureau OF Assessments
has always been regulated by percentage. so that
the pay may be proportioned To the services rem
dered. am assured Thai The total compensation
during the last i've years. over and above clerk hire
and Office expenses, has not exceeded $1,000 to the
Collector and each deputy. The Church street opening
assessment IL an unusual duty placed on the Bureau
creased 10 u corresponding extent. Thus yOn will
perceive how Greeley's political attacks stand in
elements VI fraud and deliberate falsehOod, and how
easily they answered by the facts.
All his attacks OF like character. The
charge Of copperheadsm against the democratic
candidate for Governor can Just rs easily he
answered.
In 1865, the test period cf patriotism during the
rebellion. John L. Hoffman presented for
election for his second term as Recorder. He had
served for three years during period Of great trial
anu responsibility. II viii be remembered thai ne
right and impartial magistrate had commended
him oil citizens without distinction
OF party. The Republican Convention con-
Cured in the nomination unanimously. and appointed
a committee consisting Of the following not ooh
scure" gentlemen 10 tender hum the nomination,
white Ira q. Miller, Guy r. Pelton and Frederick
Olmstead. These gentlemen addressed Mr.. HOFFMAN
y communication urging him 10 ne the candidate Of
the whole people, including IN the eulOgsitc letter
she following emphatic expression:-'The commit
tee instructed further 10 declare that the nOm
nation was made for the reason that your Judicial
judgments have been impartial and unnnuenced by
partisan considerations: that The manner in which
you have performed your Official duty demands
your reelection, and that you have been neither
doubling nor cold In the support of the national
cause PETER X. SWEENN.