New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-08-09
RICE FOUR CENTS.
THE CITY ACCOUNTS.

REPLY OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
MIR. OPDYKE DECLINES TO CALL MEETING or
THE CHAMBER-WHAT HE THINKS OF THR
ACCOUNTS.
The Hon. George 0pdykc, Yicc-president of
the Chamber Of Commerce, sent the following reply yes
terday to the communication OF Mayor Hall. requesting
that special meeting Of the Chamber be called tbata
Committee M ght be appointed TO examine the Ctys
counts, and to report thereon TO the public:
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, NEw-Y DIRK, Aug. 2, 1871.
To he Hon. A. Oakley HALL, Mayor and the Hon. RICH
ARD B. CONNOLLY, Controller.
GENTLEMEN On my return to the city, yesterday, tho
Secretary of the Chamber Of Commerce handed to
the absence Of Mr. Dodge your letter Of the ih inst,
addressed to the presiding officer of that body request
ing him to special meeting Of the Chamber for
the purpose Of appointing large and influential COM
nittce Of its members to make thorough EXAMINATION
of the financial accounts OF the City and County OF New
York, and to report tie result to the people Under tho
bylaws of the Chamber the President has no power to
call special meetings except upon the written applic-
ton Of at least ten e the members
SO far as have been able to ascertain The views Of
members, they do not deem eXpclient at the present
time, to convene meeting OF the Chamber the pur-
pose indicated in yorr letter So many OF the members
absent from the city that the action Of the proposed
meeting would afford 10 trustworthy indication Of the
views Of the Chamber; and IL IS believed that Il would
be difficult, If not impossible to ud during this season
of relaxation from business a sufficient number Of
properly qualified members wiling to assume the arduous
duties that must devolvc upon the large committee OF
vestigation yOn propose. 1t is also believed that there
are other aud stronger reasons for posponemen for
the present of the proposed meeting Of the Chamber.
The records OF the CONTROLLERS Office so far they
have been officially submitted TO the public, show
alarming increase in the public debtan increase in the
funded debt alone since Jan 100. Of at least $3OCocO,
or upward Of 100 per centn, notwithstanding the annual
receipt of about s2ioc0) from taxes, exclusive Of tho
from the city property Other alleged records
of that Office which have appcarc in Ne NeC York ies,
and the accuracy Of which have stood unchalcnged for
weeks prove the cxtrorlinIv character OF some Of the
charges for repairs and supplies that have been audited
and paid.
The AI6dny Argus, in noticing these transactions, whd
admitting their improper character, autho1atyey de-
cares that part Of the funds thus taken from the ely
treasury used in coruptng The Legislature Of the
State.
In view Of these astounding facts IL thought TO 10
due alike 10 the city authorities and to the citizens that
full clear and accurate statement of the receipts and
disbursements OF the city aud county since January,
1862 including detailed vouchers AMI specifications for
all payments that to De exorbitInt, should 10
promptly submitted to the pIoc.
persuaded that nothing short Of this win meet
the just expectations Of the popc. Such statement
prepared more accurately and more promptly by
the employees in the Finance Departm Mt, who are familiar
with its books and account than by any outside Com
mittee, however intelligent when such statement shah
have been published, Committee of the Chamber or
Commerce might perhaps be uscfuly appointed TO cx-
anime the books and determine to its aci gdcy En-
tertainng these views, have not felt It tole NY du,y
to attempt to special meeting of thi Chamber at
this time.
have the honor to be, very respectfully -FOUR obedent
servant, GEORGV OPDlKE
First Vice-Prce'dcrt Chamber OF commerce
no CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.: CuNmTTJE WANTED.
Ia he NJ 0f ~ sJ
Commerce, or, ia his absence The HoH. cd GG OlDikE
IicePresidem:
SIR: The public have been informed of the
application by his Honor TIE Mayor and De Controller
for the appointment by the Chamber OF Cjmmece OF
committee TO make full and eNhaustiT examination
Of the public accounts and condition Of 3pubc deitoi
the City of New-YOrk." Considering ND very special
circumstances under which tlis application is made, We
most respectfully protest AGAINST c Chamber of Com
merce making the appointment desired
faithful publication OF the accounts, which the MAYOR
has often promised but which he has long withheld,
will enable every taxpayer interested In the matter 10
not pretended but that for every debit in the CON
troers bOoSs he holds voucher of some description
that the certificate OF committee, however eminent IN
v , IA tho Wovr 80, ,, one lana .p tI nro,i,
on the other. That tine boo.hc ping OF the Controller II
tinncJ WIat i nnaSti neG3 TDa1 Is na.tcglary tIa
lcnged account said 20 have been paid % the Con-
trocr, and vouchers held by him for tue payments
made these accounts ticSe vouchers, g Is charged
afford pra face evidence of H. a. Of 4anivaHcc by
both tie Mayor and COnty rr i, i'ropr.atOn ~
several million dollars of tuc public funds. How can
these quesOnsthe real issue raised between the Mayor
ana the Controller, ana tla puitIt satisfactorily dealt
with by any Committee appointed by tie Chamber "a
Commerce such Committee would pOssoss no urs-
dictiOn the parties, AID ,Hd not compel the at-
tendance OF any one Of tlc alleged cuntIactOIf, WIKI
Their books their worlmcu and uth.rs 10 be examined
the work stated 10 have bsn done AMI the furnish
ngs said TO have been supplied
No doubt the Mayor and Controller also desire tie
opinion Of the Commute. as - Tie condition OF tAe
public debt" What the amount Of mis- debt D., the city
and county accounts, whom ru ed, should SHOW cor
recty, but To the c9ndJH ~ lie dttk c.oIly thi -
mittoe OF the Chamber of Commerce 10 determine.
considerable portion of the debit 10 i, Charged. has been
issued tib0m iedt dUth.ii, aud 10. s,ich issue tho
city ana county M. responsible. Now, ii - wei
known that the laws Of the Chamber Of Commerce eA-
clude from its membership gentlemen OF tAc legal pro-
fesSion and IL is likely tt te public VIII bc salts
fed with opinion o. q Jc>sl"nal COMMITTEE On
the very important legal Guc oGS raised - 10 III" bonds
10 l. the opinion OF ule 4,micrs OF or Association
that unless the Mayor ana Controller can By means OF
the published accounts, show ,ou"rsiycly that Ley DO
not afford the priDd ttr'r evidence referred w. Tho
charges made can be only plppeIE Investigated 10y Jndl
cia proceedIg by means Of which all moneys ttOlei
from the city b. tgcd ard the officials "Lo may
II shall be the duty Of Association 20 undertake
md prosecute prOccc n With. ut any unnecessary
DELAY. Respectfully submitted JOHN F''Elt
President Of l2th md 18Th Ward Ctiztne' ASST,
THos. CUNNINGHAM, -acrttar'
Acr- IOrk, Tuesday, AuGs'. I'll