The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-06-22
CITY COMMISSIONS.

How Taxpayers and Property Holders
arc Robbed Under Color OF Law.
TO THE EDITOR OF TIE HERALD
The people complain Of taxes. Take tho list OF
Commissioners that have been saddled on the city
and see how many are for the public good and
how many are for the purpose OF providing of1ces
for needy politicians The sum or $135OO0 was ap-
propriated last year for the Department OF Public
Buildings and $50 buildings were erected, thus
costing the taxpayers over $73 for the supervision
of each building erected, but this is not the only
cost to property owners. No one can alter com.
mon wooden partition lay brick or do any simple
repair or alteration to house, or even put sign
on building but what he finds himself In diniCulty
and lawsuit pending over his head for fine and
penalties Here, as In every department., as in the
Health Board, In the office OF the Attorney to the
Corporation, and In all the commissions where q
legal gentleman Is employed, the attorney mas a
gold mine. With very sweet and condescending
air he will inform you that he does not wish press
the suit II you viii only pay his costs, which, he
most bandy tells you, only $40. In word 1t is
not the good of the city he is looking after, but the
fee that's swallowed in his own capaclous pocket.
There are over 20 900 notices and suits OF this kind
compromised for costs IN one year IN the various
city oices. Thus $780, 900 is wrung out OF the prop
erty owners and their agents py set OF political
hucksters who have their emissaries nosing into
and obstructing business various frivolous pre-.
fences; and who would not rather be thus bled
than attenu court and Hght THESE men there?
This thing mas been going on for years. But now
a combination OF citizens has taken i5 in hand and
have combined to break down this swindllng and
Matchmaking process. The iron.cai can dodge,
by which men connected with certain depart
ment had a law passed at Albany last winter. and
portions Of the city have been Hooded BY nosices
from the Board OF Health, tnat all tenant houses
one Tor ashes and one ironclad for swill, and no
landlord shall allow his tenant to I'LL 1t further
than po %h sd Sar does the OF
peet the a owner v q property to stand over
enforce this rule Of TOUR inches? And is this not
transparent dodge to force house owners to buy
from the Health Board, alias me lron-clad Com
paying as costs $lOs The German landlords have
taken tins thing in hand and repudate all such
several meetings to put stop TO and test the
legality OF these fines, costs and extortlons and
annoyed BY having constantly TO run to one
or the other OF the departments to answer some
frivolous complaint got up for the purpose oil ex-
tortion and costs.
in regard to the Department OF Buildings. This
Commission was formed for the purpose OF provid
ing fat O1ices for certain parties Tor the pur-
pose OF overseeing the erection OF buildings. Ii
Tor the latter It has signally failed, as more build
ings nave fallen since the creation OF this depart
Ment than ever fell before, and buildings were
erected stronger and drmer In former times, when
overlooked by the owner in hts own interest," than
now, when q five dollar bill may close the eyes Of
the inspector to any fault OF the contractor. ADo
ish half or these useless commissions, which are a
curse and tax instead or a beneft to property
owners, and whose duties clash and overlap one
ano her in their eagerness to make a case, grant
permit permit, a document to allow any one to
do an unlawful act by paying feel, or levy fine
and pocket the costs.
II there Is any set OF men that the press should
take hold OF and siit out 1t is the legal political
men Of this city. They I'LL the Legislature at AL
bany and curse the community with food OF I'M
necessary laws. our judges are awed by their call
Tor extra allowance, and their bills OF costs five
times the legal rates but winked at by ecctlve
judges and clerks. There are some few high toned
members Of the Bar who would be glad to expose
these frauds if encouraged by hint from the de-
fender OF the rights OF the people, the POLITICAL
Independent press-tae HERALD. Yours truly.
JOHN B. NORRIS.
Nrw YORx lime 1874