The New York herald., 1871-11-18
MEETING or THE COMMITTEE OF FIFTY.
pointed = Ihs Departments To Be Gone
Through Raising the Sinews Of War.

The Committee OF Fifty appointed at the meeting
OF citizens held at the Brooklyn Rink In October for
the purpose OF investigating the Affairs OF the mu-
nicipal and county government and TO effect such
measures as will be most conducive to secure
wholesome legislation, met last evening at their
rooms No. so7 Fulton street MI. Samuel Hutchi-
son occupied the cnalr. The minutes OF the pre-.
vious session OF the committee having beeu read
Mr.. Carter informed the meeting that he had
received $3.50 from Mr.. A. NJ. Bliss, to be used By
them In such manner as they deemed proper In
the performance Of their work OF investigation.
Mr. briggs said that ne was desrous or correct
ing misstatement that had gone forth In which he
was accredited with having said before the meeting
at the Academy that there were elements In this
body OF fifty that ne would not wish to have ncor
porated with the committee. He said that there
.'might be' elements which were Objectionable, but
meant no reflection whatsoever upon the gentlemen
OF this organization. He was desirous OF working
harmoniously with them, ana believed that the end
for winch they were organized would be best snb-
served Dy avoiding the possibility or collision In the
performance OF the work. The Conference Commit.
tee OF nve he had hoped would have effected some
plan whicn would be agreeable aud do away with
the necessity or running the two machines.
Mr.. ROBERTS concurred IN the sentiments ex-
pressed by this gentleman, and said that one COM
mittee would be the best, should they agree upon
that view OF the case.
DR.. JOHNSON moved that the question to consoli.
date the TWO committees be dismissed. He then
corrected the statement made in several OF the
daily journals that the Academy Committee should
claim precedence over this organization. as Mr..
Backhouse had not appointed the members until after
the mass meeting. This was not true. The members
OF the Committee Of Fifty were designated before
the Academy meeting was held. In TACT the
other organization grew from them, This CON-
mittce had sprung into existence long ago, at
time when 1t was very unpopular to raise the cry OF
ton In the vicinity OF the city was to have wrong
construction put upon your motives The germ OF
n body IRON % ax os %ooe
pavements. The first public meeting, which was at
the Rink, called attention to the ruinous ex.
travagance OF the city government ana the
irresponsible commissions. Then, too council
or vigilance was organized in each ward, and " was
this organization which caused ine.n 10 take OF the
democratic slate the name OF an irish Catholic Tor
Mayor, and the republicans TO drop the name OF
Archibald NJ Bliss from their slate Tor Mayor.
Now they aid not propose 10 ue "a caUs paw 70 pun
the chcsnuts out OF the re' Tor any POLITICAL party.
what they did desire was permanent orasnzation.
which would erect neeeuful Legislation and the ADO.
liiCn OF the outrageous COMMISSIONS.
Mr. WALLACE sa I'd that the Doctor hSd satd many
good THINGS but really the Committee OF Forty was
the first In the field to get TO work, ana that COM
mttee had evidently the syInpatnIes OF the people.
He upheld Mr. Backhouse. however. IN holding back
the appointment OF the members OF this body until
after the electon, It could not be sand that they
were working with any candidates or any party
seeking political preference. Yet II seemed TO MIN
that the other organization was going to work III
the right way, and We should wish them
good speed. IL was snprcmcly riiicnlous ~ have
two committees for instance, going 10 the doors OF
the departments and knocking Tor ADHESION that
may be e Nsors % nry wona S s
each other bv the earsf lie lct ihat there was
danger Of damaging the Cause Onr Of the di'ncui.