New-York tribune., 1873-09-03
NEWARR'S MUNICIPAL Affairs.
CHARGES oy FRAUD DENIED.


Considerable comment has been raised in
Newark BY the fact that citizens who had previously
paid their taxos for last year have in some cases. re-
ceiyed notice from the Controller stating that their
property would be sold for Of taxes II amounts
due not paid within specified time. On present
ing their tax receipts the office OF the Receiver OF
Taxes, John A. Broadwe, they informed that the
double demand was due to clerical The amounts
involved were not large. and the taxpayers thus sum
moned were not numerous, but uneasy feeling OF sus
picion was excited which such censure that
Mr. Broadwel asked for an Investigation. The Finance
Committee OF the CITY Council have not yet made
thorough examination OF his books and to satisfy the
public desire for full aud impartial probing OF the
matter will probably ask, at the next regular meeting
OF the City Council Friday evening. for the appoint
ment Of committee OF citizens take the matter in
hand.
j. ID. Harrison OF the Finance Committee stated to
TRIBUNE reporter. yesterday. that there ground
for supposng that the city had lost dollar by the
looseness Of Mr. BroadweIs accounts The amount of
the taxes which had been TINS far ascerained to have
been demanded for the second time this year hardly
reached lOOO and there surplus In the bands OF
the Receiver which would cover the amounts The FL.
Committee on looking the books, had found
that similar mistakes had been committed for five
ISL Until this year the informing of delinquent tax
payers Of the proposed sale OF their land II their taxes
not paid had been In his hands BY the law passed
last February that business transferred To the Con
troer. Mr.. BrOadwel claims that, owing to the rush
regularly payable 1t Is impossible TO audit the &C
counts they settled The stubs attached to the
warrants retained and from those the ments
are checked in the books after the crowd is II the
stubs" chance to be lost Mr.. Broadwell admits that
accounts would be incorrect and states that during
alterations IN his office. last April some OF them were
lost. Hence followed the demand for taxes already
paid.
Mr. Harrison said that he knew OF charges in circu
laton against the managenent OF other city Offices
There had been some cOmpaints that street opening
commissions had used their position for speculative pur
poses Such complaints were, however, confined To per
sons who thought themselves aggrieved with regard to
assessments awards upon their property and TO the
columns OF an irresponsible weekly journal published in
the city,, Thence they have crept into one New-YOrk
neyspaper without yerhcat0n The City Council, Mr.
Harrison said courts fun investigation OF its acts and
Intentions.
: Mr. Broadwe ell, the Tax Receiver, stated TO the
porter that he had nothing 10 say with regard TO the
alleged irregularities in his accounts, except that some
mistakes are inevitable among 5000 accounts covering
81 10000.
From interviews with city officers, members OF the
City Council. and leading citizens OF Newark 1t is found
that there is general dissatisfaction with the present
management of city affairs There Il Republicans
and Democrats in the Board Of Aldermen The minor
ity prefer charges Ring rule against the majority
and the large taxpayers do not make accusations OF
either incomp@eDcy or corruption in the municipal
Government The prou pt INCLINATION OF the City COnn-
TO clear its skirts OF any SUSPICION by proposal TO
invite at the next regular meeting full Investigation
Of the entire conduct OF city afIlrs by citizens com
mittee, is commended.