New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-07-24
TO TIE PUBLIC.
A GARD FROM THE MAYOR.

MAYORS OFFICE, NEw-YoRK, July %, 1871.
the aT Teeky PRPs N an i %
and, excepting that paper all the dailea nave as mater
OF fairness repubished the article. But the weekly
could have gone further and shown how inconsistent Mr.
George Jones OF The Times has been upon the very mat
tcrs that form the basis OF his scurrilous attacks The
omission now supply with copies of certain letters
between him and Controller Connolly, and with
town, p' To- furnish the proceedings upon Nj.
oness mandamus that broke down those barriers against
GSW f he h n5f eeed will HO
important opinion by the Counsel to the Corporation on
ence bel ween Mr. and Controller Connolly Is
companied by headings anu comments OF me ItmeS
upon it at its date. These latter evidence the then
recklessness OF Mr. Jones, in opening dangerous
suiceway to the City Treasury and shows his exclusive
Nevertheless. in actions for malicious prosecuOns
want VI probable cause Is necessary TO be shown "a wen
malice in controversies of public nature that in
vove accusations, even alleged facts which MALE
iouy charged should be considered and proven ground
less. The Times would long ago have been an,
not asked all the officials 10 await the
that his mask of public spirit might he stripped with
vivid effect from his malicious visase. The Times
charges that the Controller keeps secret accounts But
all OF its published copies of supposed accounts
that are not garbled copies together with
time in process of printing for public informa-
ton and were annexed as. appendices 10 the
Gently accompanied the Mayors last message They
have always been duly filed according to law and within
the periods provided by satnte In the office OF either the
Clerk Of the Common Council of the Board Of super
yisors And they have always been at the service Of
has ever been made to for their inspection as filed
There has been any intention OF cOnceaent and
there has never been any at all.
The claims alluded TO by The Times large, and they
may have been exorbtant but responsibility for them
really rests with either the Controller or myself They
all audited by the late and what known the
old Board OF Supervisors, abolished when the new CITY
Government inaugurated, and OF the auditing
occurred nearly two years ago Many OF the claims
were for work and materials in 1868. That Board, IL
will be remembered, was elected by the people,
publcans. The same majority that audited the
claims had the power reaudit them over the Mayors
But the Mayor and the Counsel the Corporation
are both Of opinion las think every lawyer will bel,
is nal and is not Of those acts which Mayor could
veto Moreorer, Mr. Joness action Of mandans ID. that
the Controller compelled under statute 10 1Onds
toRay the claims rhenerp audited.
The warrants then were signed and countersigned
simply ministerial acts There have been other claims
audited since the time referred 10 by Mr. Jones In his
public spirited paper, and, as member OF the Board
which audited them, take my full share on the re-
sponsibity under the statute referring them TO the
Board, and substantially directing their audit and
payment They were large claims, carried over from
the old Independent Croon aud Street Departments and
County Bureaux. They are Of the class referred 70 In
the last message, wherein full explanation or their
growth was given In short time they will be fully
first referred.
It will therefore be from the foregoing and the
correspondence and opinions referred TO:
Firsi Tint Mr. Connolly refused TO audit or settle
any claims under the authority conferred by tue Legs
not act under the Ier%ssiDe provision 5etSre the 9 9
Sss- York Times, assailed Mr. Connolly in a long and
bitter communication. and In his paper for this
fusal and finally took legal proceeding which resulted
in peremptory direction the Supreme Court com
polling the Controller take action. Il II likely II that
corrapy or seasy, that he would have so srenuousy
resisted the opportunity TO exercise ~
Second That these claims in question audited,
the them nearly years ago, by the old Board
OF Supervisors elected by the people, and composed
equally both political PARTIES and that this Board has
been legislated out of office.
Third That Mr.. Connolly was duly/adysed by the
la nj uieer i.lo
the action Of the Board Of supery0rs they being given
by statute absolute control OF ,he adjustment of ali