New-York tribune., 1873-09-04
THE BROOKLYN SCANDAL.
THE WORST NOT YET KNOWN.


the city treasury has prevailed for long time past
Ii has been already shown by checks deposited in
the seI eral banks of the city, and made payable to
the order of Sprague and Rodman. that certain men,
bers of the Ring were in the habit of borrowing
from the city treasury. Among these persons are
some of Rodman's and Spragues bondsmen. This
may explain why those who were strangers to Rod
man should have been willing to give bonds for the
faithful performance of his duties. 1t is also
clear that at stated times nstallments of the amounts
borrowed were returned. The frauds upon the city
treasury have by no means been all revealed That
Controller Schroeder is not disposed to shrk the re-
sponsiblities of his Office is evident from the frank
statement which will be found herewith.
THE CONTROLLER SUMS UP THE CASE.
UNTURNED-PRoBABLE FRAUDS IN THE TAX
COLLECTORS oFFICE-THK LAST PAYMENT ON
The SINKING FUND DEFICIENCY.
Controller Schroeder who has taken the initiative
in the present movement and who is understood to
be doing all he can to further investigation of all
the departments of the City Government, was
prompt yesterday. in answering a TRIBUNE re-
pOrter's questions
O. What is your opinion Mr. Schroeder, Of the neces-
sity for investigation in all the departments A. am
in favor Of thorough investigation in all the depart
ments city which have either collected or dis
bursed moneys The Charter of the City Of Brook
lYn. especially by Title w. Section Is, provides
for this and IL the Council OF the city will grant the
appropriation pay for the help required to undertake
this business. matters shall be sifted thoroughly.
O. Is there probably or possibly any deficiency in the
Tax Collectors office? A. Possibly there sand taking into
consideration the fact that since my advent in Office IT.
regularities use the mildest term applcable have
been discovered four of the principal departments
and taking into consideration the circumstance that no
accounting has been had in this department for many,
many years. and consequently that no discovery need
be feared should 1t is even probable that some
irregularities may be discovered here The new Charter
provides that the Tax Collector shall render to the Reg
istrar OF Arrears full and detailed statement OF all
items OF taxes remaining unpaid, for any year going
back TO 1876. When this statement is completed
which must be preceded by the most thorough inves-
CATION and the amount returned as unpaid Is added
the paid in by the several collectors the agGre
gate must tally with the amount OF the tax levy for
each year. or the difference must be explained The
labor OF completing this statement is immense, and has
been in progress for tme but when we shall have
H. we shall have audited the accounts OF the Tax Col
lectors in the most thorough manner.
PROOFS AGAINST s'LAUGHLIS.
O What are the proofs and details against mcIaugh-
hni A. The Fire Commissioners, in 1869, succeeded in
urging through Legislature act which gave them
the exceptional privilege Of drawing $4,000 at time
from the City Treasury without the assent signature
of the Mayor since then the Treasurer of that Depart
ment has avaed himself Of that power and has man
aged to keep recent date very large balance on
hand and on deposit Trust Company. and has had
the interest this balance from time to time trans
ferred to his individual account while receiving all
along 900 extra pay per year for acting Treasurer,
in addition TO his salary Fire Commissioner under
stand that he claims to have the right to pocket TINS III
terest although the old Charter as we'll as the present
one provides that the interest on all city money sha 20
TO the Fund for the benefit of the city He has
not turned the principal requested by his asso
ciates.
@ Have you any information relative to the Sinking
Fund defacation of OO0the in which 1t
returned and who returned A. have the informa-
ton that Rodan deposedin july after the suspension
of the Trust Company $SOO in the Fulton Bank to the
credit Of the Commissioners Of the Sinking Fund to
make good the certificate which he had given me
Secretary Of the Trust Company stating that the whole
of the amount cash hand in the Sinking Fund was
on deposit in the Trust Company The Trust Company,
OF course would have been liable, and therefore, this
was merely reparation by Rodman made to the Trust
Company and not TO the Commissioners of the Sinking
Fund or the city. have some other information. but
not of sufficiently definite character to be made public
at present. ..,o,,,.
O. Has there been any arrangement made for an exam
ipaon of the of the Board OF City Works. A.
The new Charter, by sections and of title XIX, pro-
yides for thorough examination OF the water accounts
ust as an examination Of the Collectors accounts is
proyded for The accounts now preparing and will
be audited in proper time AS to the other accounts OF
the present Board of City Works, no arrangement for
an examination has been made. take it 10 be wholly
unnecessary and uncaled for but have no doubt that
the Board will invite the most searching scrutiny In re-
card 10 all its transactions. Whatever may be said
about the old Water Board, the msdeeds Of which
aroused the people this city to healthy and vigorous
effort 10 remodel government which had become thor
oughly rotten in most Of its branches thing must be
admited-the accounts OF that department have been
kept in such admirable style and condition that a
| thorough Investigation can be easily had.
doubt that an examination Of the accounts and records
of the department would reveal anything wrong And
now one word in conclusion Some public officers Of this
CITY have been guilty OF great and damDable wrong
doings; others have taken their places in many in
stances good and true men. II the desire is manifested
| TO elevate public morals and the character OF public
uen those that are honest should be supported slight
errors OF Judgment should be overlooked and no one
should be accused OF stealing unless proof Is furnished
of his guilt when that is apparent prosecute him. but
otherwise we should be careful to our influence TO
make the public understand that onice-hOldor must
not be looked upon a thief per the few men who
have come forward to do honest service for the people
will be driven back private life where more substsn
sl rewards meet honest and able efforts and the Civil
Service will again revert back to those who care not
what the people the press say If they can only mi
their pockets with ill-gotten gains
The Controller also made the following state
ment showing how the provisions for the old Charter