New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-11-13
MUNICIPAL INQUIRIES CUT SHORT.

MUNICIPAL INQUIRIES CUT SHORT.
REMOVAL OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF ACCOUNTS BY
THE MAYoR-APPoINTMENT OF THEIR SUCCESS
soRs-IMPoRTANT INVESTIGATIONS RENDERED
FUTILE
MayOr Havemeyer caused considerable sur
prise Yesterday by removal Of Lindsay Howe and
George Bowlend, Commissioners Of Accounts, who for
than year past have been investigating the &C.
counts Of the various Departments To fill the vacan
cies thus created the Mayor appointed John F. Joy and
Ezra NJ Kingsley. The action Of the Mayor was mat
OF surprise to tue officials who were removed. The
notice OF removal Is very brief and reads follows:
MAYORS OFFICE. NES-YoRK, Nov. "a 1874.
SIR: Please notice that by virtue OF the power
vested in by law hereby remove you from the Of
fee of Commissioner OF Accounts. Yours. &c,
W. +. HAvEMEYER Mayor.
The Mayor when asked his reasons for the removal OF
the Commissioners declined to give any, saying that he
was merely exercising the powers granted him by law
The removal OF the Commissioners OF Accounts is a
rather serious matter at the present time. Commits
sioner Howe has just completed an investigation Of
the Fire Department by direction OF the Board Of
Aldermen and was about to draft his report Of the
results OF his labors. Ii is question now whether he
has the power make such report, he is longer
an officer of the city government. In accordance with
Instructions Commissioner Howe was about TO begin
investigation OF the affairs OF the Department of Parks
Accompanied by Mr. Mooney his assistant, called
Commissioners OF Parks yesterday, and told by
them that their papers and vouchers the Mount
ST. Vincent Hospital. They asked him delny the In
vestgation for two days. and they would then have
everything in readiness He proceeded 10 the Dock De-
parment and engaged there when the notice Of his
removal was handed to him. Commissioner Bowlend
been for the past four days in the Finance Depart
ment investigating the various bureaus and getting
ready TO make up his yearly report.
Commissioner Howe was asked by q reporter of THE
TRIBUNE what reason he could assign for his removal
He replied that he knew OF He aud his colleague
had done their duty fearessy and honestly concealDg
nothing. He had heard threats OF removal since
his appointment and especially the investi
cation OF the Department of Charities and Correction
He knew whence the principal opposition came, but did
not care to specify the source.
Friends OF Mr. Howe, some Of whom in a position
to whereof they speak that the principal OPP
position TO tue Commissioners OF Accounts from
the Controller, and that II owing to his influence
that the removals were made. For long time
after the appointment OF the Commissioners he
steadily opposed allowing them anything for clerk
they proposed. IN accordance with instruc-
tions to Investigate the workings of the Depart-
men OF Finance IL is stated further the
made by Commissioner Howe were anything but cred
liable to the Fire Commissioners and the
of that important department. and the direct result of
sion of this report. sc least In Official form nd IL
will also shut OF for time the investigation Of the
business of the Departmental Finance, Docks. and
Parks The Of the Mayor has elected the most
unfavOrable comments from those who conversant
with the details Of the case.