The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-10-08
TIE STREET COMMISSIONER AND TIE CiT;-
zEss' ASSOCIATION.

TIE STREET COMMISSIONED AND TIE SiT;-
zEss' ASSOCIATION.
The street Repairing Contract and tho Piers
and Wharses.
OFFICE OF THE STREET Cos.:ussIoNERl
Oct. 2, losss.
To THE CITIZENS OF NEW YORK;
In my communication addressed to the citizens OF
New York, dated September II, 1903, l furnished
answers complete and conclusive to twenty-ons Of
the s.chargesr made against subordinates OF thus
department over the signature OF Mr.. Peter Cooper,
and stated that would at an early day continue
my answers to similar allegations from the same
source.
asserted that these charges were false and ma
licous and trumped up by particular individual,
who was the embodiment, representative and
"managern Of the Association; that the charges
were fabricated for the double object OF
maintaining Q bad man In the character Of q
reformer, at the rate OF $4,000 per annum, and to
aid merely partisan ends BY bringing charges
against democratic oficals on the eve OF the cleo.
ton in the hope to advance the interests OF the re-
publican party. ] propose now to take up other
charges and show by testimony that think will
satisfy all impartial men that they are made from
the same motives and are equally groundless, wan
ton ana Malicious
AZ ~ T6E f6OfHlETx OF EkPOSlNQ TIE REAL
Trssatsssa< ACCUsRR.
Since the publication OF my communication
another letter from the same "manager OF his CAS-
socation has been given to the public, in the same
form, In the same assumed name OF "Asso-
cation,n and with the usual signature OF
Mr.. Peter Cooper as chairman considered It
showed that they had been manufactured for
the motives I have stated, should lift the CLOAK
behind which the real accusef lurked and exhibit
him to the public in his true character, that they
before them. do not intend to depart from this
method, however much In "bad taston certain re-.
publican gentlemen may consider 1t to be to expose
q very bad man engaged in worse cause.
been assalled In his good name by one who was
fraudulently demanding special confidence In his
charges because they were the deliberate Judgment
OF many citizens Of good character, when, IN fact
there was no other foundation for the assault but
the interested malice Of . man without character,
would he hesitate to strip the mask from his ac-
cuser, expose his false pretences and bring him to
just condemnatiOnf
admitted that II the charges were true 1t would
matter little as Q defence to show that the &C
cuser was one OF the worst men in the community.
While 1t might show that the motive Of the accusa-
lions was not pure. 1t would not free my SubOrdi.
mates from the responsibility which attached to them.
II had found the charges to be true should have
taken immediate steps to punish the Offenders and
have made my acknowledgements to the fnfOrmer,
however unworthy the practice Of his life had been
to qualify him as an accusing judge, TO arraign his
fellow men for dishonesty or moral delinquency.
But contended that II the pretence that an asso-
citation OF respectable and responsible citizens after
anna n s D1 sO e
taned and had directed them TO be made before the
public false and the Of the Of the Ctizens
Association Is fraud, the public were entitled to
LOGIC FROM THE "AssoCrArIoN.n
IN these a t
rule which 1t lays down, admits all have stated to
be true. This reply, referring to 'oharge' which
I had not answered, but had expressly retained
for future refutatiOn, goes on to Say-"YOu do not
deny this. You do not seek to excupate yourself
in the most distant manner. The Association there
fore nfers that your silence 10 an admission OF the
WHAT THE ASSOCIATION" THzREroRE ADMITS.
Now the following points Of my communication Of
September e. 1893 are not denied are not sought to
be exculpated, and are not even alluded to In the
reply .in the most distant manner" viz:- !.
first-That the so-called "Citizens' Association
one nSViaus WHO nam the Whole
with the assistance Of brace OF young attorneys,
ana who made the business o. M pay MIN a.
he can obtair BY false and sensational commqnica-
lions Of the character Of that under consideration
among business men Was well known as that Of an
In fortune, In character and In resources he now,
past the meridian Of life, has taken up reform as
same cSaractorissics which marked his caresr n
other pursuits have been exhibited IN thus new neld
| Tntrd-That It was well known that this manager
now In the pay Or the republican party 70 sEumI
e p a. until sfsr me election VIC
Fourth-That while Mr.. Cooper would not endorse
the commercial paper Of this manager, for ave
In the largest and most nourisning style TO paper
containing nbels Of the most nagitious character,
cent nom the character Of his Informant charac.
ter which would prevent him, In his legitimate
business nom trusting him for goods to tho smallest
FV1n~That the use Of the name Of "Citizens' Asso
| citation" under snch circumstances was . wrong
longer be deceived by such campaign documents.
SIxth-That while the great proportion Of the
q party wss s
going so far as to have even commission" 10 pave
Broadway-yet all the efforts Of this manager Of
oficlal reform were wholly directed TO whitewash
ing the republican Commissions, while attempting to
| defame democratic olcials.
by Mr.. Peter Cooper, in reply to mne, the public
are to infer that bis sence Ia an admission Of the
fact" .....u -.
general nature and groundlessness 81 the charges
knd the fnct beng admitted that the witness s with
content myself in silent disregard Of his accusations
and without comment on the accuser or his motives
| but shall not 20 content myself.
WHAT rHn ORIGINAL ASSOCIATION WAS
am aware that the Citizens Association as origf
| nally founded, was composed OF large number o.
some who were neither. wealthy nor respectable
That they were divided into active members, hon
OI0Iy members, duVlsOIy CQulnllteo anu cAeCuuNt
c3minlttee and that for period the association
gave their time and attention 70 the secret investiga
fon Of allegations aagainst officials, and doubtless
those OF character among them were actuated by fair
ness and ifnpartiality Of motive and design. That
through time and the inevitable causes at work II
| such combinations, the association" has degene
rated 70 its present condition Is not remarkable OF
| contrary to precedents In like cases.
A CASH IN POINT.
Years ago O similar association was organized In
the city Of London, composed OF member! embracing
largely tue titled and wealthy gentry Of that greal
metropolis. one OF the abest, English WRITER'S thu
late Rev. Sydney smith. commenting on the charac
ter, objects aud tendencies OF that association
among other things In an eaborass essay, wrote:--
| "ff there are many members who have really DO
come 80 from feeling Of duty there Will necessarily
be some who enter the society to hide bad charac
! ter and others to recommend themselves to thclI
betters by sedulous and busting inquisition into
| the immoralities OF the public. Beginning
with the best Intentions In the world sdch societies
must m oil probability degenerate into receptacle
for every species Of title tattle impertinence and
malice Men whose trade Is rat catching love to catch
rats the bug destroyer setzes on his bug with dc
d. Avxlfs