New-York tribune., 1873-04-08
LOCAL MISCELLANY.
THE BOARD OF APpoRTIoNsENT.
ANOTHER CALL MADE FOR THE BOARD

ANOTHER CALI. MADE FOR THE BOARD.
There is a probability that the complications,
which have been noticed exclusively in 1HE TRIBUNE as
having arisen in the Board of Apportonment, w'l re-
suit In further obstruction OF the appropriations ior
the coming year. that doubt will be thrown on theF
legality and that endless trouble and litigation Will
ensue. 1t appears that April l, Mayor Havcmeyer
issued call for the Board. which consists of himself
Controller Green, aud Commissioner van Nert 10 meet
on April The law requires nat each member OF the
Board shah acknowledge the service OF this notice IN
writing before a meeting can be held. Mayor Have
meyer and Controller Green Immediately acknowledged
service but Commissioner Van Mort could not be found
by the messenger bearing the notice ot April until
after the expiration OF the time set for the meeting
April A. On April Mayor Havemeyer issued second
notice for a meeting TO be held today After a long
search Mr Van Mort finally found, last Saturday
but being presented with the notice he refused TO
admit service, saying that he compelled to 80 10
Albany that day. and therefore could not attend The
meeting OF the Board The day appointed for the meet
ing happens to be the that fixed upon ior '"e
final consideration OF the Charter at Absnyin the pass
ago OF which Commissioner Van Mort is unders'oou 20
Dc largely interested being of the oeals retained
tn Office by this Charter.
In order 10 hold the proposed meeting today inc IerN
of the Board Of ApPOTtiOnment, Deputy Controuer
storrs has made an affidavit relative to Commissioner
Van Norts refusal and in default Of his appearance az
the meeting this service and affidavit Will be cohsecu
valid the Board will meet and fix the tax rates ahd pos
nbly proceed with the appropriations or COURSE 'hs
extraordinary proceeding causes much commeuV III Po
htical circles aud creates doubt as to the validity OF
The meeting to-day which 1t is expected MI Van Mort
will solve by appearing in person. Commissioner van
Mort has written the following letter to the Mayor IN
relation his from the city during apart olast
week:
No 2s7 BROADWAY, HEw-YoRK, April 7, 1873.
To the Hon. wN. F. HAvEMEYER, Mayor, and Chairman
-T.Ta aFlrllE 8rU oVf
sIR: NV absence from city on the official business
OF this Department. during period of less Than three
days of week. been MADE the occasion OF severe
and unjust criticism, accompanied by the assertion that
the business before the Boards of Audit and Apporton
ment is being delayed entirely stopped by such ab
senoe. on Saturday last informed the Controller
through his messenger thatI saould be in town aud
ready attend meetings MONDAYS, Fridays and sat
urdays of each week. my convenience had been CON
suited as well as that Of other members meetings OF
either Board could have been held any the DAYS
named during last week, or to-day In addition TO TINS
presence of all the members is not necessary To the
transaction of business by the Board of Apportonment
reference chap 53 Of the laws Of 1871 and 10 pre-
My occasional absence from the city during the ses
Legislature is by means matter Of choice
well the city large, is before the Legislature
and having been requested by prominent members OF
each House TO furnish them Information ana advise
them the proper or needed legislation for this city
haye considered 1t duty to Communicate personally
with THEM, IN order 10 protect the interests o tue ue
partmeht and the taxpayers. My services While thus
clty as ~ remained here ana much more eIet ave ana
within the sphere OF the duties or puOhc Olncer
than the employment, al the expense OF the CITY, O
private counsel and agents who, while pretending 10
represent interests OF tins municipality are, as eX-
perence has shown too apt to pay more attention 10
Otner interests which adverse 10 the city, and aer
their successful cOUsummauOn ny the Legislature 10 en-
them against IL. No charge has ever been made
against the city, since my connection with this
department, for personal incidental expenses or Tor
OF private counsel AT the same tine take
this occasion declare that Notwithstanding these
official calls Albany have both time aud ability
official courtesy and consideration being mutually
observed discharge fully the duties OF my office here
aud that mas been overlooked neglected or omitted
BY ne. Very respectfully, GEO NJ. VAN MORT
Commissioner vi Public Works.