New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-09-29

persons ana pap0iSs Auis poWoE ID seD0'S
necessary to tho full investigation of the con-
fessed frauds Of the Controllers Department,
and il Il ono which public sentiment % well
81 the public interest requires shan be en-
pioyed. The Ring has made up It's mind that
this power shall not be granted, and the
promise made in the beginning Is not to be
redemed, unless public opinion compels tho
supervisors to reoede from their position taken
ON Monday. 81. ."! o.. -.,...-,..
That position Is in every sense untenable.
An effort was made to confuse public opinion
on the subject by falsely representing In the
discussions Of the Board that the demand was
that this power should be delegated BY the
supervisors to the CihsenS Committss. No
such request was ever made. From the first
tho Fifteen only asked that the power be
delegated by the Supervisors to its own Sub
Committee investigating the frauds. Recorder
Hackett Chairman, Of the Sub Committee OF
Supervisors expressed doubts as to the
authority Of the Board to grant such power,
but he too must have been lsboriug under
the impression that it was asked for the Cih
sens Committee, or else had forgotten the
following sections Of tho Revised Statutes
bearing on this very point: .-., ~.
SECTION 90 Art. D. Chap xii. Whenever the Board OF
Supervisors Of county shall deem IL necessary OF
important to examine any person - witness upon any
subject matter within the Jurisdiction Of ouch Boarn
to examine any ocer of the county In relation to the
discharge Of his ocl duties TO the receps o. dis
bursement BY him Of any moneys, or concerning me
possosson disposition by him of any property be-
longing to the county; or TO use, inspect, or examine
any book account voucher document In the poses
sion of such officer other person, under bis control
relating to the Affairs interess OF suoh county the
Chairman President of such Board shah issue sub
pena In proper form, commanding such person or ocer
appear before such Board at time and place therein
specified, to be examined Witness and such subpoena
may contain clause requiring such person or officer TO
produce such examination all books, papers, ana
documents In his possession or under his control re-
lating to the affairs interests OF the county QSos
CHI. 100. ~
Here is the authority clearly and fully re-
posed by law in the Board. In Section % the
authority to delegate this power to committee
of its own body is just as distinctly stated.
BEG a. Whenever the Board Of Supervisors shall have
appointed any member of their body Committee upon
any subject matter Of which the Board has Juisd1e
ton, and shall have conferred upea such Committee
power send for persons and papers, the Chairman OF
such Committee shall possess all the powers and DO la
BILE to all the duties herein given to and imposed upon
the Chairman or President Of tho Board OF SUPERVISOR
(5ame ch., Sec. 81
Recorder Hackett is the Chairman OF the
Committee of Supervisors, and on him will
devolve the duty of summoning and examining
witnesses should the Board grant the power
asked for. The Importance and necessity of
the action demanded of the Supervisors by
the people, will appear when it is stated that
without it the Investigation virtually falls to
the ground. We know that this is an argu-
ment which would induce the Ring to deny
the application, and persist in refusing the
power at all hazards, but 1t remains to be
seen whether or not the Supervisors will be
content to accept the ignominy which must
attach to them IL this action is longer de-
layed. The Ring has demanded investigation.
Forced to turn and defend themselves, they
have made virtue of necessity and appeared
to court inquiry. Let them remove the one
great obstacle which remains to q complete
and impartial investigation Of their deeds, and
the people will be content with the result.
They will be content, however, with nothing
abort of this