New-York tribune., 1873-07-22
A lIGH MUNICIPAL COHMISSION.

THE NEW BODY CREATED BY THE CHARTER-THE Ac-
COUNTS OF THE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS TO
PASS THROUGH CRITICAL HANDS.
A new Commission, the members OF which
are known as the Commissioners Of Accounts, was pro-
yided for by the Charter recently passed. but not uht
within a short time has the Importance OF the provision
been fully appreciated though now the Commission lS
gradually forming and will very soon take lts place
with the other departments Of the City Government
MAYOR Hayemeyer, after considerable thought ana in
yestigaton has named George Bowand and Llndiey D.
Howe as Commissioners, who are to act III concert
with the President OF the Department OF Taxes ana AS
sessments. The appointments were made on FRIDAY,
and the Commissioners were sworn IN yesterday ater
which they met in the office Of the Tax Commissioners
where they will assemble regularly for the present The
organization was perfected by the election Of John
Wheeler President OF the Department OF Taxes and
Assessments as President Of the Commission, after
which the meeting dOurned At the next meeting the
plans of the Commission will be formed and the work
laid out as far possible.
II is the duty OF the Commissioners OF Accounts
anime at least in three months and oftener they
deem proper vouchers and the Office Of the
Controller and Chamberlain and TO make detailed state
ment OF the financial condition CITY, showing the
amount OF its funded and floating debt, the re-
ceved and expended since the last preceding report,
with classification of the sources OF and
penditure, and such other information they may
deem proper It is not only necessary 10 make these
examinations, but they must be published in full
in The Otty Record. They are also required
| from time to time TO make an examina-
ton OF the expenses of the departments and
offices, and make recommendations TO the Board Of Ap-
portionment and other officers with reference thereto
particularly IN relation to salaries aud duties Any one
Of the Commissioners has authority to make the pre-
scriDed examinations. The President OF the Department
OF Taxes and Assessments will not receive any compen-
sation for his duties In connection with the Commission
but his two colleagues to be paid reasonable sum-
s9 OOe which will be fixed by the Board Of Ap-
portonment
In connection with this department the law provides
that the accounts Of the City Treasury shall be closed on
the last day Of November and during the following De-
cember they are to be examined by the Commissioners
Of Accounts. The examiners must investigate the ac
counts and vouchers OF all moneys received into and
paid out Of the City Treasury during the year ending
the last day OF November next preceding the examna
on 1t is necessary for them TO certify and report 70
the Mayor and Common Council, during the following |
January the account Of moneys received into the Treas
ury during the year. also the amounts paid out in the
period by virtue OF warrants drawn on the Treas
ury by the Controller; the amounts received by the
Chamberlain who shall be in office the time when the II
examination is made provided that he enters on the ex
ecution OF duties after the preceding reporp the
balance In the treasury; the amount OF moneys bor- II
rowed for or on the credit OF the city, and the amoun;
of bonds issued during the year ana the purposes TOT
which and the authority under which such bonds
were issued. The Commissioners are also obliged 20
comnare the warrants drawn by the Controller on the
Treasury during the year, with the several laws and
ordinances under which the purport TO have been
drawn: and they must in like manner certify and
mort whether the Controller had power ~ draw such
warrants II they find any which, in their opinion, he
,ad no power draw, they must specify the same in
heir report, with their reasons for such opinion.
Thus will be seen, the power OF the Commissioners
4 almost Unlimited. Collectively individually they
nay enter any department at any time and without
living notice, examine the books, scrutnZe the manner
which the work s doing, ana investigate the system
" which the Office Is carried on They may see every
Oucher bill, or account in Office OF the City Govern
nen and nave the right TO know where every dollar
oes and why IL Is expended.
They recommend the adjustment OF any office
nd the removal of any officer may protest against
T recommend the payment Of any claim In fact, t Is
impossible g. hide ANYTHING from the Commissioners IN
aiming TO these positions extremely arduous the
Of which demands abiIties OF "A peculiar
nd unusual order The heada Of several OF the depart
lents nave stated that IL II the most important Commis
lon In the city, AMI many believe the compensation |
lowed Ii far igJL alfelcRt. :
Mr.. bOWlanG. gentleman well known I'm business | :
rces, Is nov reired merchant, Oh the sunny side OF
D. and WA selected for his apparent fitness for the diff
t laburs ut tue position. Mr.. Howe has many
ears engaged H. the real estate business in Prince
e II aoou 20 years younger than his colleague. and
II active, haelllgont man. Both OF the COmmls-
oneIs though tney have undertaken reluctantly this
pOttant work have expressed themselves determined
firmly perform the duties ald down by the Charter.
the public the exact amount OF the funding
nd thoroughly examine the system Of tine government al
the departments, believing that any trouble between :
ie commissioners OF Account and department. VIII -
an Indication VI the condition VI that department e