The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-02-21
Another OF Mr.. sweeny's PIacers.

A resolution has been introduced in the
Legislature TO abolish the Legal Bureau
for the Collection Of Arrears Of Personal
Taxes" and other debts due the city This
Bureau was established by the laws of 1867,
the appointment being vested in the Comp
troller The attorney is authorized TO APP
point two clerks, the county furnishing
suitable Offices and stationery" and the
Board Of Supervisors fixing the salary, the
amount 10 he raised by tax on the property.
owners The attorney reeGr6s all costs nlich
he can collect. in addition to his salary. On
the whole, the berth lie a pretty snug one.
Mr.. ANDREW J. SMITH, the attorney, is a
clerk in the law office Of Mr.. PETER B.
SwEENY. His official quarters are In Mr..
SwEENY's private law office aforesaid at the
corner of Nassau and Beekman streets. He
is a cousin Of Mr.. HuGH SMITH, Nj.
SwEENy's Deputy Chamberlain. Other
members Of the SwEESy tea party are his
nominal clerks on the pay roll. His
Office rent, paid by the CITY probably saves
Mr.. SwEENY himself the expense Of his pri
vate law chambers, which, added TO bis
share in the proceeds Of Mr. SMITHS a;tor
neyship, is quite good stroke Of economy,
in gentleman so impecuuious as PETER the
Great Of Manhattan.
By the Comptroller's report the county is
charged, for salaries Of the attorney and his
clerks, the modest cum Of $4,000 a year;
what his Office rent amounts 10 Is not stated
Tie Comptroller assures us that the Bureau
earns great deal Of money for the Treas
ury but how much, we have thus far failed
TO learn from Official sources, nor do the
items appear under any distinct head in the
report. Yet we do not question that the
representations as made TO US in this regard
are correct and il is certain that those who
are not wiling 10 pay their just taxes should
be made 10 do so. But whatever the profit
OF this Bureau 10 our local revenues or its
cost to the persons upon whom it gets
its clutches, there can be no doubt of its
value 10 the incumbent and his eoadjutors
Under his able administration at least Is 900
names are said TO have been added to the
personal tax list in single year. Many OF
these, Of course, were able to prove them.
selves exempt from liability but as pro
ceedngs had been commenced, or judgment
taken by default, the attorneys fees and
other costs, amounting 10 $25 TO $50
in each case, were collectble, and wherever
the Individual did not know any better,
they were paid to avoid the further cost and
annoyance Of a prosecution.
Themodc Of procedure is simple, and usually
elective. JonS JONES, clerk in the Swami,
Is grabbed on process by Sheriff's officer
say at 4 p. VI. on Saturday, just as he has
drawn lis pay and threatened with incar.
ccration IL Ludlow street jail until Monday
morning unless he comes down. and down
he comes in most cases, This is the sub
stance Of our in!1mation and we presume
it is On THE state Of facts that the motion has
been made in the Legislature TO abolish the
Bureau. We are advised that at least
100000 a year has thus been realized by
the attorney. Now we submit that this is
pretty fair perquisite for a clerk in the
Office of Mr.. PETER p. swEENY, and shows
a degree Of zeal and industry on his part
which is somewhat remarkable in one who
occupies so inconsp.cuous a station.