Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1871-09-05
CORRUPTION.
MeefIng of Citizens of New York in Rela
tIOn to Alleged Frauds In the City
Finances.

tIOn to Alleged Frauds In the City
Finances.
NEW YokK, September "A meeting Of
citizens, in relation to the alleged fIauds
in the city finances, was held tonight at
Cooper Institute. It was largely attended,
and much enthusiasm was shown when
the city officials were denounced by the
various speakers Among the prominent
citizens present were Noah Davies, VIM.
M. Evarts, Henry Clews, Isaac II. Bailey,
3. B. Chittenden, Moses b. Grinnel, L..
Lockwood, Jackson 8. Sehults, Marshall
o. Roberts. General John A, Dix, b, j..
Arnold, and number OF others.
On motion, the chair wRs taken by ex-
Mayor Havemyer, who said that the
meeting was non-psrtissn in its compo-
sition and objects. All parties were equal
lv interested in having an efficient and
Economical administration of our city
government. BE said that the charges
of corruption and extravaganza preferred
against the city authorities had not been
satisfactorily answered. He consloereo
the receut charter under which the city
had become an oligarchy, the abuse OF
which required remedy, and he asked
Whist are We going to do about 4t3 The
public had been aroused.
Jndge Mott was the next speaker. He
alluded in strong terms to the manner In
which the money of the people had been
suuandered. The amount OF power con-
centrated in the hands of the city govern
ment was, he claimed, unprecedented.
A SERIES OF twelve resolutions adopted,
which declare the city and county debt
more than doubled within the last two
and half years, being now $4,000, 600, or
over s., S,O00, 900 more than when Mayor
Hall was insugurated, while there is res-
son to believe that many millions more
will be paid out of the floating and con-
tingent claims, unless the present officials
are removed or the proceedings arrested
in the manner in which the parties imph-
Gated have met the exposure of their
fraudulent practices, and the contemptu
ous denial OF sny power to interfere, and
the fIippant evasions and studied conceal
ment of q large part OF the pubic &C.
counts and sttempts to gsrble and con-
fuse. The residue are characterized as
a confession of guilt and coupled with
facts and figures already disclosed, fur
nish ground for the belief that the same
men who have suusndered or stolen hun
dreds of thousands of taxpayers money,
are still engaged in similar frauds and pc
culiarities.
The fourth resolution names VIM. M.
Tweed, Richsrd B. Connolly and A. Oakley
Hall as the officers directly srraigned be-
fore the bar of public opinion for these
offences. and declares thst, unless they
can meet the charges by other evidence
and on different pleas than have been
furnished in their behalf. the credit Of
the city of New York and the material
interests of its citizens will demand thst
thew quit, or be deprived of the offices
which they have disgraced and dishOn-
ored and the power which they are abus-
ing.
The fifth resolution demands full and
detailed exhibit of the public receipts
and expenditures of the past two years
and half; what was done with the money
and to whom paid, and upon what consid-
erations and pretence in every instance,
while the sixth asserts the right of citi-
zens to know, and their determination to
ascertain who are, and have been on the
pay rolls OF the city government; what
pay received, and what service they rem
der; snd to what extent the members of
the present city government are concerned
in the real partnerships, or under hcti-
tious names, in the plunder of the public
treasury.
The seventh resolution demands that
legal remedies be resorted to recover
the stolen money; that the laws should be
altered to effect this object, If necessary;
and the eighth resolution appeals to the
Legislature to repeal the present city
charter, and TO give to New York form
of government devised or approved by
the wisest and best citizens.
The citizens are urged to unite, In the
next election, upon municipal reform
candidate, making that the controlling
issue. The citizens throughout the State
are being entreated to join In the effort,
while the public should ell the time be
kept informed Of the amount and condi-
tian of the public debt, to which no sddi-
ton, not specially authorized, should be
made.
The thanks of the community were ex-
tended to the Times and other newspapers
which have contributed to enlighten the
public mind on the state of affairs of the
city, and an appointment recommended of
an Executive Committee of seventy,
whose duty it shall be to carry on and into
practical effect the most judicious and
vigorous measures for securing reforms
which public interests 80 imperstively
demand.
Mr.. Oswald Ottendorfer was tho next
speaker. He said he participated in the
public sentiment that dictated the pro
priety of q strict examination into the
present condition of the city finances.
Edward Sslomon, ex- Governor Of Wis
consin, followed, and commented on the
apathy of citizens that hitherto prevailed
with regard to public ofacisls; it was
vital republican principle for every good
citizen to discharge his duty, and he
hoped they would not prove recresnt.
Robert Roosevelt, Congressman, said he
had always been Democrat and that
Democracy was the real Republican party
the party of the poor against the rich
He would rather speak to an unbroken
party of Democrats than to mixed assem-
blsge, mostly Republicans, as the present.
1t was true that the Republican members
of the old Board of Supervisors were part
lY responsible for the frauds committed,
but that formed no excuse for the Demo-
Gratis. It was not alone the peoples
money that had been taken, but they were
also deprived Of liberty by frauds prsc-
tised at elections. 4
Edward PieYrepont followed In a
speech, in which he said that the people
should appeal to the Governor for re
dress, and that falling to resort to other
means, the American people were tens-
cious of their rights, and, If necessary,
would shed their blood for them. Pierre
pont defended the Judiciary of the city
of Now York from charges made against
them.
John Foley next spoke and sn execu-
tive committee was appointed to carry
out the purpose of the meeting. This
terminated the proceedings.