New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-02-05
THE BOARD OF AUDIT.
SETTLING OLD MUNICIPAL ACCOUNTS.


SATURDAYS MEETING-A QUESTION OF Law
CLAIMS FOR OVER S50O,000 PRESENTED.
The Board of Audit met at 2 p. IN. on Sat
urday In the Controllers Office Controller Green In the
chair. After the adoption Of the minutes OF tho last
meeting Controller Green said have called this meet
ing thus early 40 that We have time comply with
the second clause OF the act which provides that every
BILL account and claim presented to the Board except
for salaries and wages shall be read aloud by the Clerk
of the Board at the time OF presentation: and the
shall lie on the table for five days thereafter for obec
tions." BY this meeting two days will be gained. Tho
claims TO be submitted urgent and they come within
the provision Of the law and II they are passed upon
now it will be great advantage.
Commissioner Van Nort-what are tho claims which,
in your opinion within the purview of the lswi
Controller GreenThey consist mainly of requirements
for charitable institutions wherein there from 5000
TO 1900 inmates waiting for money to provide them with
food. H these claims all read we shall not get
through before 10 o'clock tonight.
Commissioner Stebbns-I am OF the opinion that 1t Ia
to read in all details every claim pre-
sented.
Controller Green-I don't SEQ how the claims can be
audited unless they are read.
Commissioner Van Nort-I think the claims should be
read follows: The name of the claim. the person
making It, the description OF 1t, and the amount it asks
for deem that the object OF this law to satisfy the
claims Of creditors against the city, for tho payment for
materials furnished and those having claims for clerical
work. in the shape Of salaries don't think 1t Is any
part OF the business Of the Board TO make objections to
the provisions OF the act We have designated counsel
to construe the law for 1t is for them to give an
opinion whether we are doing anything that Is outside
OF this law presume these gentlemen are fully COM
peent TO advise My desire Ia to expedite the bust
OF the Board The claims OF these credOrs should
be acted upon as early as possible: there are largo
of wages long due; many suffering very
severely consequence OF this delay and only OBJ
ect ought TO be TO expedite the business that has been
designated TO by the Legislature. That ought
to be object. and II needful should meet day
by day to receive and pass upon these claims. ZAP
plause.
Controller Green-Every member OF the Board will,
think, agree with the remarks OF Mr.. Van Mort would
so little further and have gone little further
by arranging for these claims to be read to-day The
the benefit Of their judgment, that might know
what the law meant The counsel must become familiar
with the law, and that requires longer than day. Be-
fore getting their opinion propose - proceed to-day
Thorn without waiting before we pass upon them unt
get cOunsels opinion, Monday or Tuesday. L am
only DESTROYS that shall act according to law In our
endeayOrs to expedite the payment. My only hope Ia
that have done nothing without due consideration ana
with undue haste .
Commissioner stebbins-I thoroughly concur In all
that has been said by the Controller.
Commissioner Van NOrt-Before we read these claims
would suggest that the OF each city de-
parmen be requested 70 forward at the earliest posi-
bic day all claims due ia his department so that we
may get them TO pass upon at the earliest possible
moment My object is that all claims may be presented
Controller Green-I understood that was the object OF
the resolution at the last meeting Claims are coming In
every day.
Commissioner Van Nort-I understood that the
luton at tho last meeting referred to the claims
of this year. l move that the claims be- read.
Carried pThe Clerk read the following list OF claims