The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-07
ANOTHER MUNICIPAL MIDDLE.

Alloaed Fraud In Wesschester Ceunty-Tho
Purchase 81 Burial Ground for Morrisa.
nia-Hew North Brother Island Was Ac-
Quired-Repert Of tho lnvestisating C0m-
mittee-A Handsome ssPresent."
The purchase OF North Brother Island for hospi-
tai purposes, by the town or Morrisania westches-
ter county, last year, has since given rise
to various charges Of fraud against certain
members Of the Board OF Town Trustees,
who were appointed committee to negotiate the
transaction. The price paid py the town for the
bleak and inhosptabe piece OF real estate indicated
was $4,000. q handsome fraction OF which
sum, 1t was alleged by many Of the taxpayers,
had found its way into the pockets OF
some OF the town authorities. These allegations
length became 80 notoriously SPECIFIC In their
ture that the Board OF Trustees adopted resolution
last November that the whole matter be referred
for investigation TO committee Of citizens, consist
ing Of Messrs. James L. Parshall, Gouverneur Nor
pontment. the committee has SINCE been engaged
UNEARTH THE ALLEGED FRAUDS;
but having mad no power to compel the attendance
OF witnesses or to administer Oaths their efforts
have been attended only by partial success.
Board Of Trustees at regular meeting
last evening It appears that 7. Mason
OF the committee appointed to negotiate the pur-
chase OF North Brother Island, received from the
Misses ga Acserson who sold the properly the sum
they assert was received py them for the island.
This, Mr.. oliver does not deny while insisting thar
II was
SIMPLY A ssPR EsBNT"
made after the sale, and not IN pursuance OF any
understanding or agreement In this connection
anything to Mr. oliver about making him present.
at the same time stating that she mad not deter.
mined in her own mind how much it should be.
make him such present The following are
THE MAIN FACTS
which the investigating Committee in their report
state have been established:-
That the Ackersons sod the island to the town for
$40 600 TO pc PAID IN town bonds; that these bonds
were actually delivered by Mr.. oliver TO the Acker-
sons; that the Ackersons sold two OF these bonds 10
9 local savings bank at discount OF
that they returned to Mr.. Oliver S. 900 Of the pro-
ceeds OF the bends; that they paid $4,000 OF the
bonds in part payment OF purchase OF some PROP
now in their possession the remaining $Sl. 600
Of said bonds. thus making the full
sum Of 81, 900, received In cash by the Ackersons,
mas been used by them IN rebuilding their house and
has been applied TO any purpose connected with the
transaction in question. In answerto
"that 1t was voluntary present made to him after
the sale was completely the committee reply that
che was acting in hduciary capacity as trustee Of
the town. ana had no legal or moral right to be ben
the town.
ON motion Of Mr. CAULDwELL the report was &C.
cepted and Mr.. Oliver invited to make
AN EXPLANATION
In reference thereto. Accordingly the last named
member brieny addressed the Board, admitting
the truthiulness OF the report, and assert
ing his gullelessness In that or any other
transaction during twenty years Of official ex-
pertence in the town. BY subsequent motion OF
Mr. Cauldwell the report was tabled and resolu-
ton adopted permitting MIR. Oliver TO make q
written statement OF his connection with the
transaction, for the purpose OF being submitted to
the Board at an early day.
Thus far the investigation OF this affair has failed
to give satisfaction to many OF the citizens who
are nrm In the belief that there Is still something
concealed In the transanctiOn which should he
brought TO light.