New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-01-07

.Z,y
The information relating the custody OF
friends" was obtained from physicians in the various
cities and The officers OF the various public aud
pryate institutions furnished the information relating
to tins class their respective charge.
The Board are engaged in collecting information
IN regard TO pauper destitute children provided
by section OF cnapter 51 of the Laws of 1873 Returns
been received from nearly all tue INSTITUTIONS by
winch they supported, aud the results will he
scented to you in tabular form.
Near the close OF tue last session OF the Legislature
the Commissioners OF State Parks made their first
uual report, III conformity TO direction to inquire
state the title timbered regions lying within the
Counties Of Lewis, Essex. Clinton Franklin. ST. Law
renee, Herkmer, aud Hamilton, and converting the
same into public park.
Their report important vews and suggestions
monnssinos district for the supply of water and timber
They to no conclusion in regard 10 tue MAN Oh
jecl Of their inquiry but recommend, until the Ques-
lion can be further considered and decided. that the
wild lands and held by the State De retained
SINKING FUSDs-PArMENT OF TAXES.
In my annual message to the Legislature in January
last ausion made to the duty OF preserving Ill
violate the Sinking Funds pledged for the payment of
the interest and redemption Of the principal of The
state the Constitution of the state these funds
are required to be sacredly applied TO that purpose
Any diversion OF the belonging to them 10 other
i; clear OF th ay ana n
10 the the pledge OF these funds FOR their
repayment Yet the Legislature i'll past years has
authorized the application OF these moneys 10 the e1-
peuses the government and on Tue SOn OF Sepehi-
Der, 1872, the greater part OF the siUo9 theh belong
ING 10 tue general, contingent, canal and bounty fund
I,nr funds mad oeen used Tor other purposes. The
Controller has TO redress TINS violation
o the faith OF the state oy investing these funds in per
inanent securities. On the Oth oil ncptemDer 1874 the
whole amount invested was only So7l,2ii %. The
amount on September, 1879. s232s9O3 65
ana tier addition OF about s9OOOOO has since been
made Tne residue OF the moneys belonging to these
funds will be invested In like manner rapidly the
receipts the treasury applicable 70 Tue purpose are
realized. II is now represented ny dencehcies' DanK
deposits. and unpaid taxes.
Nv Chapter 100 of the Laws OF 1873 was provided that
every county should pay ITS quota of taxes
the before tne 10Th
April and the other half on or before the st day OF
May, III each and every year thereafter"
the payment Of the taxes raised IN the several counties
i'm time 10 appropriations made by the Legislature
for the expenses government. This requirement is
not obeyed. In number OF counties the treasurers
during the last year retained sOoO00 each for
eral months after the last day appointed for
into the State Treasury having loaned 1t 70 the banks IN
their neighborhoOd interest. thus using the public
money in fragrant violation OF law, for their pecu
mary benefit. Indeed. IL is comnon practice on the
part county 10 loan nc interest after the
t,ne fixed for paying to the Stale, collected
from tho taxpayers, thus making profit out OF a
breach of their trust. the money thus collected Is the
property state from the day the law requires 1t TO
be paid the Treasury and the retention OF 1t be-
yOnd that day treasurer Ii not only virtual con-
Version of public money to MS and In that
spect gross official abuse in fraud OF the law. but Is
a GREAT inconvenience TO the State Treasury by with
holding The means satisfying legal demands against
IT, and an Injustice to parties whose claims the legis
has provided fO " postponng the payments 10
which they entitled.
This abuse should be Iemedied by legislative act
IL is greater ofiense than many others which de-
clared 10 msdemeanors. and there quite much
reason that should be punished by fine aud mprison
meut The counties have deep interest well as the
State in having their taxes promptly paid over after
chance Of on the part OF their
treasurers always; increased when the public moneys
nm the hands OF the latter used, even temporarily
for private profit Besides IL Is very unjust aud great
hardship 10 the taxpayers 10 compel them ~ pay
nromptiy and then 70 allow the money collected from
them used by the county treasures ana the banks
for their benefit for months after the time the law
reoires IL paid the State. IL Is still
unjust 20 when IL considered that for want Of
the moneys withheld, the Controller Is sometimes
10 borrow cent interest To meet the
current exI OF the Government ana the interest
thus paid becomes a new burden on the taxpayers.
When these moneys loaned 10 the banks the latter
loan them their CUSTOMERS ana wheh tue controller
as for their pay meat. months after the time fixed for
inc purpose is not uncommon occurrence for the
defaung treasurers aud the banks which are parties
10 their TO Ueset MIN with pressing letters
ureng linn 10 grant them further time ~ pay
lie inoneys withheld the treasury III fraud OF the
Jaw Tue taxes in majority OF the counties are
pron,ptly paIu over the same puGctuaty should Dc
exacted from ali: and, If the law Is not voluntarily
obeyed lis execution should be enforced by suitable
penalties A conformity to II would no doubt be aided
Dy making II the imperative duly Oh tne oonsIoe, 70
charge per cent interest ali moneys received by
county treasrers from taxes State purposes and
withheld by them after the day nxed iof payment ito
the State Treasury
DEFALcAIIoS TIE STATE TREASURY.
1t NY painful duty call your attention 10 defal-
cation the office OF the state Treasurer By fraudu'
lent abstraction OF the public To the amount OF
SOi 957 81 by Charles H. Phelps, the clerks the
Office, 10 whom the chef management OF its affairs
seems have been conIed under title OF cashier
This title is wholly unknown W the law. assumed
without any proper authority aud has been kept up
under "A practice long standing.
When this deialcs,ton became known, believing II 90
be y duty ~ cause thorough investigation ~
pe made o.! the condition the Office. Mr.. W. T. Warren
OF the City New YORK. experienced auditor and
accountant was employed by Inc for the purpose and
his report YIN he Transmitted 10 you at an early day. Ii
shows tiat the whole amount OF the moneys stolen Wy
the nominal cashier was taken during tie inoltns OF
August and September 1875 and that the raud In APP
nNnc the money his use was attempted IN lie
eoyercd I'D by false the booss OF the oiice
There s NJ doubt that the delacaiOn lis due, IN great
degree to the confidence reposed IA him
IA. Tie Treasurer and his deputy Tho former alb
t frI Ii. nfch uucl oil ~ tllua. AVID lAtloI.