The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-08-09
THE CITY FINANCES.
Reply Of the Chamber Of Commerce 70 the
Kequest Of the May or md COmptrOIIer.

Reply Of the Chamber Of Commerce 70 tho
Request Of the Mayor and Comptroller.
Below Will be found the reply OF ex-Mayor OPP
dyke as First Vice President OF the Chamber OF Com.
merce, to the request OF Mayor Hall and Comptroller
Connolly, asking for a committee Of investigation
into the condition OF the city nnances:-
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, |
New YORK, August ., 1ZLl
RICHARD b. CONNOLLY. Comptroler:- .,..
GESTLEMEN-On my return 10 the city yesterday,
the secretary OF the Chamber OF ComIperce handeu
To me- In the absence OF Mr.. Dodge, your letter VI
that body, requesting HIM TO convene q special
meeting Of the Chamber for the purpose OF appoint
ing u large aid influential committee OF It's men-
oers to make thorough examination oi tne man
clai accounts of the CITY and county oi Ne" ioik,
ana to report the result 10 the people.
Onder me bylaws OF the Chnnber the Prcsideht
! mas no power 10 call SPECIAL meetings, except upon
the written application OF at least ten oil tne mem
| views OF members they do not deem IL eXpedent at
the present TINE to convene a meeting Oh the Cnan-
pei lor tne PURPOSE indicated IN your letter %
! many oI Inc members are absent from the city thet
the action Of the proposed meeting would arord no
reliable Indication oi the views ot the Chamber, ana
~ ls believed that II would be dincut If Impos-
sbe TO ind, during this season OF relaxation from
business sufnclent number Of properly qualified
members Wiling To assume the arduOGs duties that
must devolye upon the large committee oil nyest-
CATION you propose
1t Is also believed that there other and stronger
reasons Tor postponeinenJ iOr the present ot TIL;
| proposed meeting OF the Chamber.
| Inc records Of tue Comptroliers ONCE 80 far ~
they have been O1lclally submitted 10 tne puoic,
show an alarming increase IN the puDlc debt-an
increase In the funded DEBT alone, since January
1862 OF at least s30,0O0O00, or upwards OF 100 per
centum, Notwithstanding the annual receipt o about
S24,00O,0U0 from taxes, exclusive OF The revenue
IRON the city property.
Other alleged records OF that o1lce winch nave
appeared In the New York THtss, and the accuracy
OF which have stood uncnaliongei Tor weeks. prove
the extraordinary character Oh some or the charges
for repairs ana supplies that nave been addted ana
paid. .
The Albany Argus I'm noticing these transactions,
taCvely declares that part Of the funds thus taken
from the city Treasury was used III corruptlng the
Legislature Of The state
In view OF these astounding facts IL is thougnt 10
be due alike to the city authorities and To the ciZehs
That u tuil clear ami accurate statement ol the
receipts and disbursements OF the city aud county
since January 1862 including detailed vouchers ana
specifications Tor all payments tnat seem 10 be eXOr'
Dltant, should be promptly submitted TO the pubic
| ! am persuaded that notnlng snort vi tuis VIII
meet the Just expectations OF Lae people
such q statement can be prepared more accurately
ana more promptly by the employees III the finance
! department, who are familiar with Its books anu
accounts, than by any outside committee, however
published, committee OF The Chamber Ul Com
merce might perhaps DC usefully appointed TO eX-
anime the books and determine US to us accuracy.
Entertaining these views 1 have not ielG IL 10 De
my duty 10 attempt to secure special meeting Oh
the Chamber at this time. | have tue honor TO be,
very respectfully.
Your obedient servant
GEORGE OPDYKE
First Vice President Chamber OF Commerce.