The New York herald., 1871-11-25
After the Auditors and Comp
troller's Accounts.
COMMITTEE OF FIFTY AT WORK.
"Boss" Mclaughlin and Supervisor
Newman at Loggerheads.
ScATHlNG DENUNCIAIloN CT FRAUD.
Another Mandamus Applied For
and Refused.

The Committee OF Fifty, known as the Rink Com
mitee. have now fairly entered upon their task OF
unravelllng the accounts OF the city departments.
Their subcommittee made their first advance upon
the citadel yesterday. Messrs Frost and Roberts,
Of the Committee on Accounts OF City AUDITOR vis-
tied the office OF Auditor O'Brien, and were cour-
teously received by tnat Official and Deputy Auditor
p keenan,, who produced the books and expressed
tdeir readiness afford them every facility in their
power. The chairman, Mr.. Gideon Frost, then ran
his eyes up ard down the long columns Of the
ledger placed be ore him, while MIR. Roberts looked
placldly over his shoulder. Alter brief examlna.
tion, Mr.. Frost drew from MS pocket list or tine
various accounts which he supposed were to be
1ound in the Auditors books. These were chiefly
relating TO street paving and repairing streets lie
was informed that sucn accounts were Kept In that
department. AS they appeared TO De IN Iuandary
lace Of Inc formidable array OF lgures which stood
out IN long columns upon the great leugers, tho
Auditor suggested the proprletY OF frs; taxing
the accounts Tor the year 1870, IS those OF
1871 were not yet complete The gentlemen OF the
committee conferred together upon the subject
before undertaking the by no means slight tasK and
tnen requested Deputy Keenan, to do the work for
them.
Mr.. keenan, replied that he was ready and willing
to explain the accounts; that they very simple,
ana that the committee make copy OF them II tncy
50 desired.
III make a copy OF them," replied Mr.. keenan,,
Mr.. OBrien SAID that, in his opinion, 1t would he
better, II they desired to make copies Of tho ac-
counts 70 bring an expert WIN snem t me deputy
the committee or any person whom tney might Sc
iect TO take the figures.
1t was resolved to employ an expert, and the
committee eseupOn withdrew.
AnoIhor subcommittee OF the reform Association
visited Comptroller JOhnsOn'S office, and entered
upon their task OF investigating the accounts OF rhat
department. But little hcadway was made yester.
day, however.
Kings County Pcnii entiary Kccpers!iip.
There are but few plums remaining to the democ-
racy OF Kings county since the pruning knife OF re-
form has been put In operation on election day;
hence there are watering mouths for the few places
which are at the disposal of the Ring. This was
shown at the last meeting Of the Board Of Superv-
sors, reported in yesterdays HERALD, when there
was considerable maneuvring upon the question Of
the appointment or Keeper OF the Kings County
Penitentiary, In place OF John Cunningham, de-
ceasd.
The race was between District Engineer Shevlln
and supervisor Newman. The former Is the iavorite
and nominee OF the "rng," and the latter is a
strong democratic opponent, who has been endorsed
by sucn republican members or the Board or Super
ylsOrs as harman and Dwight Johnson, anu MIR.
give the choice OF the !" Boss" q snow. he de-
Clined to acquicsce and showed his strength In The
OF appointment was finally Land over until the
meeting which IS to be held on the first Monday III
visor Newman encountered Register Mclaughlin.
the "BOss,' In the vicinity or the Court House,
when the latter upbraded him Tor his action in
seeking the position. and he Is reported to have
asked, "Whcn you were Deputy Keeper 1or iour
years, were you not the close Ot tnat number Of
years dismissed for Stealingp
supervisor Newman quietly remarked, ''You are
excited, Mr. Mclaughlin, at the pre- ent moment.
and you know as well as do that that charge ls
false. When your passion subsidies you will
acknowledge now rash you have been." Mr.. New
man then took his departure.
Supervisor Newman makes the following eXplana-
tlon OF the charge OF the "Boss:"-AUout the time
alluded to In the "Boss' " charge Mr.. Demas Barnes
came to the late Frank McNeeley, then Keeper OF
the Penitentiary, ana told him he had
an ollce under the general government
which wodld be given to McNeeey II he
desired This was at the time that A. o. CALI cot
was on trial. Mr. McNeeley declined the OFFER, but
induced Mr. Barnes TO confer the o.fce upon his
deputy, Newman. Mr.. Barnes compiled with the
request and soon after Mr.. Newman left the Penl-
tentlary 10 fill his new appointment. A bondsman
was demanded Dy the government, and "Bossn
Mclaughlin gave bonds as such IN tne sum Of
$4,000 for Mr.. Newman's good behaviour While act
ing under the United States government. Tuls Is
his explanation OF the charge OF the "Boss."