The New York herald., 1871-09-13
TEE MAYOR AND TIE COMPTROLLER.
Important Official Correspondence on the
Question Of the Hour.
Mr.. CONNOLLY REFUSES TO RESIGN.

Mr.. CONNOLLY REFUSES TO RESIGN.
The following Official correspondence was the sub
ject OF general discussion throughout yesterday 1t
had been rumOred on Saturday that the Mayor
would demand the resignation of the COMPTROLLER.
but the vague report did not circulate beyond few
politicians, who are always well posted on the
secret workings Of the Tammany mGgnates. When
the letter of the Mayor was found to be genuine
production the excitement OF the public was In
tense as to what action the Comptroller would
take. Opinion was pretty equally divided between
the expectation as to resistance to ana compliance
with the demand. Those who were familiar by
long experience with the working Of the city gov
ernment under Its present direction were almost
unanimous In their Judgment that the Comptroller
would not comply with the Mayors suggestion.
The following letter Of the Mayor ana Mir. Connoly's
reply set aJ rest all further speculation In this d.
rectiOn:-
THE MAYORS LETTER.
MAYORS OFFICE,
MONDAY, p. NJ, sept IL, 1871
My DEAR SIR nave just been informed By the
Superintendent OF Police that last night the offices
OF the Finance Department were secretly invaded,
aud that, az consequence thereof, valuable vouch-
ers evidences of payments and cancelled warrants
together representing large amount OF discharged
CITY laD,ltles), are alleged oy some Oh your SuDord-
mates to have then disappeared.
The superintendent and the Mayor Immediately
had full conversation regarding the means OF in
vestigating the untoward circumstances OF the
alleged burglary and so as to punish the guilty,
procure restitution of such papers as may have been
taken and protect the interests OF the city.
Our constituents will have right to hold you re-
sponsible, and In q measure withhold from the
Finance Department desirable public confidence.
1t Ii impossible not to perceive that the city credit
will suffer, aud In very critical period Of mum.
clpal government.
with great personal reluctance officially reach
the conclusion that the exigency requires your
tirement from the head Of the Finance Department.
In order that may place there another gentleman
who will be enabled thoroughly to investigate Its
affairs and restore public confidence
cannot suspend any head Of depa tment, not
even pending an investigation. l can only prefer
charges to the Common Pleas who alone can re-
move, after considerable time for trial.
am compelled TO throw myself, therefore, as
Mayor, in this unexpected and sudden emergency,
upon your TnaGnanimlty and ask, unaer the circum.
stances, Tor your resignation.
Yours, very truly, A. OAKEY HALL. Mayor.
The Hon. r. B. CONNOLLY, Comptroller.
THE COMPTROLLERs REPLY.
COMPTRoLLER's OFFICE,l
NEW YORK, Sept. IL, 1871.
HOn. A. OAKEY HALL, Mayor
MY DEAR SIR-YOur letter OF September IL, ask
ing my resignation as Comptroller, was presented
to me last night at eleven O'Clock at an interview
sought by yourself Similar verbal requests from
yourself and others have been within the last few
weeks received and declined. The olcIa source and
subject matter of your note, as then read to me,
and as published by you In this mornings press,
demanded and has received my earnest considera-
tlon. criminal abstraction Of papers from the
Finance Department seems the reason for your let
ter, SO far as any Is therein suggested.
In common with other city officials now stand
before the public and ''our constituency' charged
with malfeasance In the administration Of high
trusts 80 long conaded to my care. 9ne legal
proceeding, wherein such charges are made and
to be substantiated II at all, is now on hearing
before O fearless and just tribunal My ans wer
thereto is before the pubic. and my complete de-
fence ready to be presented both that high court
'0ur constituents" and to the citizens OF New York
at large. My counsel has urged, by my wish,
speedy trial and rigid investigation. am fearless
Of the result and anxious for the procedure During
the many years Of my administration Of this Office
have not seen, and fall now to see, any dlmi-
MUTTON OF public confidence, and such
fact would have been readily marked, no
thing being more sensitive to general opinion
than nDancia administration. l beg leave
to differ from Your Honor In thinking the robbery
Of my office creates any "unexpected or sudden
emergency" ! am not apprehensive that either
yourself or this community will suspect that am
an accomplice IN that depreciation. I am happy to
assure you that 1t has effected serious mischief
the archives Of tie department containing ample
abstracts OF all the stolen papers. Whoever
planned or executed the crime has ieaped no benefit
and inflicted injury upon public interests Would
m nv n Qrflc Hart ftOno vfv
advocates Of the partisan attacks upon the city
government just cause to believe me to plead guilty
not only to participation, at least passive, in the
burglary, but as well to all the charges now made
in tho legal proceedingss SO 1t seems 10 me- My
official acts have been supervised and approved by
your superior vigilance. So far as my administra-
ton questioned, equal responsibility attaches to
yourself. In your answer and afiidavit, read in
the pending litigation, you have adopted and vindi.
Gated those acts, You could not justify yourself
without so doing. Consequently l do not perceive
why my resignation should be asked, or how, II
tenderej, It would have any just influence In ap.
peasng public clamor. confident therefore, in the
steadfast good opinion OF friends In the ultimate
Judgment TO be rendered by the courts, 1 cannot,
consistently with sc!(respect accede to your
DESIRE am unable to submit myself vlcarious
sacrifice TO satisfy the hungry appetite Of adversa
rles for victim, or ut this juncure and under these
peculiar circumstances Detray weakness or posi-
Ion or fear Of rigid investigation by rendering my
resignation.
cannot now anticipate the effect upon this deter
mination future events may produce. When my
past administration shall be vindicated and pend
ing accusations shall be repeled shall not fail to
act as may seem TO be demanded by the changed
circumstances which may then exist.
Very respectfully, your 0bedient servant,
RICHARD B. CONNOLLY, Comptroller.
MAYOR HALLS OPINIONS.