The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-08-18
THE CTY'S CONTINGENCIES.

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Some Of the Bills Which the People Pay
How and Where Contingent Funds GO-ln-
tcrviews with City Officers About Public
Affairs.
At the last session of the Legislature the tax levy
for 1892 for expenses OF the city, was passed. and
embraced In 1t was an item of $50, 900 devoted to
"city contingencies" for the payment OF the prep
araton OF the Corporation Manual, expenses in
Cured in the reception Of distinguished guests by
the city and items not embraced under other appro.
priations
Most Of these expenditures from the contingent
appropriation, excepting the salaries Of the Commits.
sioners Of the Sinking Fund.- &C., are made In pursu.
ance Of resolutions OF the Common Council,
u!, the approval Of the Mayor, and the
ia somewhat extensive and varied. or course
this $50 900 Is public money butt like all other public
aD@ On sne ee saa a
reasonable to suppose that the patient and prompt
paying public should desire TO know something OF
the way IN which their money goes and to what pur.
pose 1t Ia applied.
With the view Of enhghtening the people on the
ONCE Of the Clerk Of the Common Council for lnfor
nation, and was informed that the Clerk, Mr.. Shan
Mr.. Tuomey, the Deputy Clerk, in reply to ques-
tions stated that the Clerk Of the COMMON Council
had nothing to do with the matter. and was proba-
ton excepting the sum OF 5000 received by the
Clerk for the preparation OF the Corporation
REPoRrER-Then do you suppose that can lind
out the items at the Comptrolier's ofices
DEPUTY CLERk.Yes. l should think so; bat the
REpoRTER-weil, that is the place to find ou,
them
REORGANIZATION you give me the name or position
OF the clerk or official who would be likely to have
charge OF that branch OF the businessS
DEPUTY CLERK-Well, the Deputy Comptroller is
there, Mr. Storrs; ne has got the items Of that &C
count, II he'll give them to you.
REPoRrER-Thank you, SIR (Ereunt)
The reporter then went to the Controllers once.
climbed the stairs and was shown to an inner room
occupied by the Deputy Comptroller; and when
another gentleman, who was transactiDg some bust
ness, had taken his leave the HERALD attache intro
duced himself to Mr.. Storrs at the same time hand.
ing the official printed slip, cut from the published
tax levy, announcing the appropriation for "cIty
Mr.. storrs received the reporters unpretentious
card and the printed slip, and looking up good na.
turedly-very good naturedly for he Is good look.
prematurey bald head aud We'll cultured black
mustache--etaculated,
REPoRTER-I an sent, Mr.. Deputy, by the HERALD
to request Of you the items for which that contln-
gent appropriation was expended.
The Deputy Comptroller leaned both elbows on
the desk, and holding the printed Sip In one hand
and the card In the other read the former very Care
yet unknown to fame, Inscribed in monasS letters
on the piece OF pasteboard be resolved his cogta-
lions into thin low meditatlve whistle, ana looked
DEPUTY DOCKING up)-lOu want this Tor the
HERALD, do you say
REPORTER-YeS, sir
DEPuTy-What do you want IL ior-to publish
lt2
REPoRTER-I don't know that, sir THIS slight
believing that was not the Deputy's business what
the HERALD wanted II for, as every citizen has
tain right TO inspect the public records) I.
DEPCrY-Does the city editor want this2
REP0RTER-The HERALD wants II; / receive my In
strnctons through the city editor.
ahnd N aud MI rob M
peared and was told to bring record OF vouchers
for 1869.
The reporter felt that Mr.. Tuomcy's information on
that score was corroborated from Official source;
but not seeing the necessity Of any demonstration OF
surprise re%s,Isd passive not even uterins the
The VOUCHERS were brought by the attendant, and
the Deputy COMPTROLLER opened the book and turn.
ing to g large page, c?2fTe1 with neat legi6le
palm of his hand and said:- 'N' "''' 'i'
"Hcre are the items. sir.u
he then proceeded at "2:4o" speed to read some
a., Ass;;snmsst q salary Of Commissioners Of the
sinking Fund, $1,000.
Xne pensa " for loss Of horse to $780,
funeral OF ex.President Buchanan, $500.
Sold badges for the Common Council, $4,000.
Stand Oh colors for the Washington Greys 81 900.
Preparing Corporation Manual s5, 900.
These incidentals were selected cursorlly py Mr..
looking over s as Rss ana s
other items OF interest among which was the follow
ing
49, Otner assignments OF the Commissioners OF the
| sinking Fund, per resolution OF the Common Coun.
GU ap%ards Of $780, but the exact figures are not
DEpUTY-These are some Of the items: they are
Tor diherent purposes and as you see there are
| mon Council. W ~ ~
REP0RTER-May copy themf
DEffTY-Weii, the Go mplfoier Is out of town
now: You may look at them II you wlsn.
HEPORTER-But want to copy them
The Official remained silent for a few moments
Z and thei, sappina bis hand ON the book said:-A
we nave no objection to your looking at then1,
you can tell the city editor that he can see them
| II no chooses to come up here. W.
sNsPoKIEn-Then ! suppose you prefer that !
should not copy them until the COMPTROLLER returns
DEPUTY-Not III he returns. j don't supposc he
VIII nave any objection to your copying them, but
something OF II. ~ " NV
REPonIEa.very wei. Good morning, sir.