The New York herald., 1874-09-14
The Corruption and Lawlessness
tho Reform City Government.

The promise of the Commissioners OF
Charities and Correction to make reply to
the report of the Commissioners of Accounts
is all very well in its way, but it will not JUS
THY their retention for a single day in the
positions they have SO grossly abused. The
Commissioners of Accounts are regular Off
GERS of the city government charged with the
duty OF investigating the several departments
with the object Of ascertaining whether their
affairs are honestly and efficiently conducted
In compliance with the instructions of the
Board of Aldermen such an investigation has
been made in the case Of the Department Of
Charities and Correction, and it has been
found not only that there is gross incompe-
tency and inefficiency in the management Of
the department, but that the expenditure
of nearly million and a half of dollars
has been made in direct violation of law,
and that the Commissioners have endeavored
to conceal their illegal acts by making fraud
ulent entries in their books and altering and
falsifying bills to the correctness Of which
they are required to make oath. The report
of these facts by the regular examining officers
mentary evidence, would alone be imperative
cause for the removal of the faithless officers,
even if still graver offences were not as good
as proven against them. They have right to
be heard in their defence before the people, or
before jury when the wiltul misdemeanors
with which they stand accused are tried in
criminal court ; but they have no right to be
La -
handle or dispose Of another dollar Of the
public money.
Why are they not removed? Is it because
Mayor Havemeyer's son, who supplied the
groceries to the Department Of Charities and
Correction, and the Mayors son-in-law, who
supplies the butter, have been paid moneys
by the Commissioners in violation Of law2
Is it because Comptroller Green has relative
who acts as the confidential clerk of the per-
son who purchases the supplies for the de-
partmentp What influence or what interest
has been powerful enough to suppress inves-
tigation into the rascalities Of this department.
and is sufficient to keep the Commissioners
in Office now that their illegal acts have been
officially exposed? These ore questions in
which Governor Dix has an interest; for
among the charges preferred against Mayor
Havemeyer is one covering the Mayors
official misconduct in neglecting to properly
Investigate the affairs of this tainted depart
ment.
The pretence of Commissioner Stern, that
the purchase of goods in ''open market has
been to the advantage of the city, is the
sublimity of brazenness. Mr.. Stern pur-
chased dry goods for the city of his relative,
Louis Sternbach. This he calls ''buying in
open market" The transaction was con-
Quoted in this fashion -
Louis Sternbach purchases dry goods of
regular dry goods house to the amount Of
50, 900.
Without unpacking the goods Louis Stern
bach transfers them to the city and charges
the city $4,000.
Mr. Stern certifes his relatives bill as cor
rect, and Comptroller Green, after his atten-
ton has been called to the dishonest char
acter of the bill, pays the amount OF $1,000
to Louis Sternbach
And this Commissioner Stern calls sbuying
in open market for the good OF the city.
The purchases of -four have been equally
scandalous. The prices paid have been
largely in excess of the market price. It
remains to be seen whether any favors to
relatives have been bestowed at the city's ex-
pense in the -four bills, as they have in the
bills for dry goods. An investigation by .
Grand Jury is demanded in this fragrant case,
if we are ever to expect honesty in public
officers