New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-07-15
orr CITY GOVERHMENE

equally candid, aud, instead OF ind5Crminac abuse
Of those who dler from them, should seek better
dersandng with good Of other parties they might
by ndby all together and unite for objects which
they have a common interest
You seem to imply that have undertaken TO become
sponsor for the present City Government Of NewYork.
God forbid! That is a load too heavy for any mans
shoulders. Ny knowledge Of these matters is very linn
itad-boing confined to two three departments-and
OF these aud these ony have spoken with any degree
Of positivcness My interest in the matter is simply
what you and all good citizens feel in the honor Of city
IN which it Is their fortunc-Jr misfortune-to reside.
For years, have been panied and Inundated at the
stories Of our municipal corruptons. Yet IN all
this time | must confess that L never took pains
to inform myself Of these matters first hands. Is thy
servant a dog that he should do this hingP should
as soon have thought of going the Tombs to ask the
thieves II they honest men, az to seek Information
from an Alderman the Head of a Department The
Republican papers my political gospel believed
their worst Stories and felt ashamed to live in city
that was 80 disgracod. To be sure, dear old Peter
Cooper told That things were growing better; but
this took wiki great allowance, feeling that
he was 80 pure himself that he could not believe In the
rascaltics Of other men, But Judge Hilton is sharp
enough to al that is going on around him Nobody
can cheat htD-or the city through his Department
without his knowing IT, So, when had "a set time"
Cor plain talk with him the subject felt that 1t was
an opportunity not to be lost to gain some definite in
formation ! confess felt relieved TO find that there
were some rcdccming points in our city affairs Tho
information obtained embodied in the article in The
Evangelist OF last week.
1t is the simple report Of that interview which The
Times has so savagey attacked. 1t did not copy the
article II did not give outline Of its state
ments or attempt refutc them. Its only was,
in substance, that Judge Hilton was an enormous liar,
and that was fool t. believe a word that he said.
Such courteous cpithets Of course, admit Of no reply.
But am more concerned to meet frankly your fair
treatment OF The subject than 10 notice this vulgar abuse
You closed by asking series Of questions about
other departments Of tho City Government-matters OF
which have more knowledge than yourself; proDa.
bly, much less As 10 the Controller, Connolly, DO not
io hi. Office aud ask % look his books than you
have nor any facilities for examining into its affairs
which yOu do not possess nor am qudllhed l0r IL II
had. such examinations should be made by
business men, or experts skilled IN accounts
Three of our heaviest MISREPRESENTATION Jacob Aston,
Moses Taylor, Marshall o. Roberts-spen six hours
in looking over books papers ana accounts ana sid u
all ugnt; and yet fhe Times has rot ceased from
that day 10 TIN, to denounce them Tor theiT haS 1 r
quirc-not tx hours. but six weeks or six months But
filled TO know where their money gone 70; and,
long as there yhng that is kept back or coyeredup
arc roasted out OF their places Of corcealment.
But do MT condemn all departments alike without DIS
broad line between the ghteOds and The wicked The
aim OF my article was TO sntr tPf boIesJe defa
mafon disgrace OF the party press, and which
of The present day which lowers thc whole moral tone
OF the community, and robs the press itself OF nan us
NV creed m this matter may be summed mp in few
words do not believe that all men are mars, nor
black Republican, do not believe that all Democrats are
unpatrUfc; that all members OF our city gov
eminent are bopelesy bad No DOUBT there are enough
OF that sort Politicians generally 90 not nave very
party You know more than one who Is a moist,
unpleasant body Corruption Is not peculiar Ia one
70
the London Journals ul OF charges Of fraud in
army contracts But was anybody such idiot as to
say that there honest men in the British army
In France the general corruption led to the fall Of the
Empire lrt lheIt Were puit, DiiNe men thsie' VINO arc
this city, bad 10 is. believe we have few righteous
men LETT enough to save IT, II they VIII only unto and
In closing my "dcliyerance" on this subject, as you
have asked me len questions. viii YOU allow to ask
you just oncg You, Mr. Greeley, are high authority
with Republicans all over the land VIII you tell me- ana
tell tle1 how we are ever 10 have good government in
this city except 10y uniting with men Of different pot-
cal creedoi Ina stct party vote We are outhumDered
throwing aside party ties and joining hands with all
YDuI. truly, HESRr NJ. FIELD.
Nc,O- York July 49, 1871
mir. Field has no moral right to be ignorant
that we have repeatedly proclaimed a union of
honest men without distinction OF party essen
tial to the reform of our City Government,
and that we have repeatedly supported. and
Democrats for municipal offices. We did
so when it obliged us to oppose such good
Republicans as Marshall O. Roberts and Murray
Hoffman; we did so last Fall, when we opposed
the nomination of a Republican and urged our
City readers to cast their votes for the anti
Tammany Democratic City and County candi
dates. We are ready again to support men of
any party IRON whom we may reasonably
expect honest, frugal righteous rule. Then
why should we be asked such questiOns7 "ln
"a strict party VOTE we Republicans are not
"outnumbered three to one" unless by enOr-
nous cheating; but no matter.
The TTmes'S denuncations of Messrs. Aston,
TAYLOR & Co.'S famous certificate is of small
account: not so the incontestable proof at.
forded bv the Controllers late Report that it
misstated facts and msled the public.
If Mr.. Field thinks he can afford to stop
where he now stands, we regret his error, but
will no longer contest it. By-and-by, he will
realize that a volunteer witness in an import
ant controversy is bound to tell the whole truth
If he inquiries and ascertalns with view to
becoming a witness. the justice of this rule Is
most obvious.-Ed. Irib]
ANOTHER POINT FOR MR.. FIELD.
Nom TIs Patle shoot JOurlai
We give an extract from three-c0lumn |
article recently published The Evangelist, 2resby
terrain paper OF this city. From our readers VIII learn
MAJ I'M, editor mas had an interview with Judge Hilton,
and has come conclusion mat all the charges OF
kDavery made against city officials are false as also
nre the statement, that our CITY Government Is under the
control of Irish Catholics and that ne does not believe
NeVyork Is worse than any DINER CITY uhucf ihe sun
In commenting on this me Herdid ON sunday last re
echoes the words o. The Ersl0"st ana winds UP win
m question Who can assert al'erI Ine
IRON me ErdngesD that the government OF e CIV Oh
New York is m the hand, o the so-caled lish Catho
~. 20 Nh MI. 4. evidently attempt to rob our |
I,b C,fh.ir citizens ola credit that belongs 10 ten
beyond Am manner of doubt a. may be seen ny me ZOE
loving st made up hastily from memory, ana Witnout