New-York tribune., 1871-10-09


making preparations to absOond. have remained silent
under these accusations hoping the time would soon
arrive when they Wght be Judged dtspassionatcy by
the public my transactions with the City Government
investigated by competent authority and thor charac-
ter aud my character vindcatcd before tho world The
grevOus injustice done by some OF the dahy jour
nails cOmpcs me to speak out now.
Ihave not burned my books. have not intended and
don't intend to abscond have refused to take the
recreation in the country which my physician advised
me, and which felt necessary TO my health and
which usual at this OF the year, lest 1t might
be interpreted into flight
have been at all times ready and willing TO explain to
the Committee Of Seventy and have explained to them
whenever they desired it, the nature OF my business with
the city, and offered my books in vndication Of my
scrtions in that respect.
have sometimes been compelled to sell my claims
against the city in order to raise the necessary
carry my extensive mechanical operations but such
sales have been made with any intention my
part to defaud the city to enable others to do
For every dollar which have received from the city
have gwen full value In labor and materials, and the
city is indebted to in about s3O0O0 which have
honestly earned, and 1t can be traced and identified
have done work the City and County since 1864,
and the bills paid in 1869 and 1870 for work covering
the entire period since then This work has been done
upon all the City and County buildings and 1t embraces
plumbing, gas work, all sthe Istove and heating work,
nearly all the roofing and repairs to the roofs mason
work, chimney work. iron railing and repairs to the va
rious City parks all kinds of castings for the Croton
Water and Sewer Departments, and Bureau OF Lamps
and Gas Added to this, have had the exclusive Work
during past OF the repairs the streets
connected with the sewers land cuvers, ana WIN NE"
sewers and alterations. . 49,, -.
and East River and other work OF the
Sewer aud Croon Boards TO suspend which would entail
net to to the dc ali AND GP 'sS uSfh so that
should be OF permsnent utlty anve Dee d M and
patterns, and in making necessary experiments o ~
ccy6d S nH more more than Just and fair Compensation The
published charged that have received upward
@ tn nave as se pa to s For county
alone there are upward OF $4,000 which never oa
TGdS in nor my saw lame ena are clean and
akno forgcre 1t was fond mIsed That
may have been in matters Negligent, and that
E ran Sf snd f1 to meet 1S the Charges that intend to
and dcfraud the city out Of any claims which mEht III
frnt TO cover any such claim in trust discharge it
when properly established. did So however claiming
show that the city is indebted to me, and not to the
While am answering publicly some of the questions
which have been put 10 me, should like TO answer the
query which has been SO often made who Is the Co OF
partner He is not now and never has been nv part
h dn WIN me W W a WAY n bSd ay or Hass
have been my employees and clerks, who have received
percentage upon the amonnt Of business done III lieu OF
salary last year divided among them about sS5,OO
according to their positions and ability.
The name John II. kpyscr d CO." was established
ago when had business partner, and was
after continued bccaUs" OF its vlluc dc SgnatiOn well
known TO my customers and the trade generally has
been also publicly stated that have repeatedly failedin
business and have paid my debts This Is untrue
At first failure paid every dollar OF indebtedness i'll
full At my second, when had two partners, paid III
full share and the whole of the conhdentias TO
The last penny aud received honorable release from
my creditors. NV business transactions will compare
favoraby, am confident, with those of any merchant IN
this city.
AS to the amount Of my property | do not own dol
lars worth which have not fairy earned. occupy
plain house the city, which bought for $4,000 in sl
My island about which much has been said, pur
have cost half million of dollars erected under
tract s. 600 and have since expended $H0 upon II IN
extensions and improvements. Tie salt meadows ad
joining have purchased al various times since for about
400 The other expenses about the place have con
sisted Of moderate repairs and trling improvements
from year tO year Ny costly statuary" bought Of
Mr. Youngs of Thirdst and the BOwery for $780,
and the principal value OF the place arises from its oca
ton and the rise Of suburban property at Norwa The
rest of earnings, beyond the capital necessarily
and maintaining the hospital of Avenue and
Tenth-st and other charities which approved my Judg
| ment.
have never before alluded to these enterprises In
public should do now, except to repe the charge
that have anasSed large fortune, and devoted my
! money u luxurious and Osentat0us living
In conclusions, only that during all my resi-
dcnce III this city have strNcn to deserve acquire ana
retain Il good character among my CllOwnen, ana be-
lcyr that the end shall not be found 10 have for
long respected and enjoyed. Let add, also, that
have made 'cOnfcssion," for know nothing to CON
| 1CSS. JOHN H. hElsER.
Ncrc-T York. Saturday, oct. :, 1871.