The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-08
A THUNDERBOLTl
A Court House Commissioner on the
Tenth National Bank Claim.
MIKE NORTON's CONFESSION
Curious Exploitation Of Facts and Figures by a
financial Expert-A Startling Revelation
Aconspirator "Peaching"- New and Con-
Adential Revelations as to Tweed,
Ingersoll and Connolly by Mem
Der Of the Late Tammany Ring.

Adential Revelations as to Tweed,
Ingersoll and Connolly by Mem
Der Of the Late Tammany Ring.
Hwill he long time, probably, before reminis-
conces Of the Ring regime do not occur tn the
courts Among the numerous cases brought to
judicial notice there il none that has come up
more frequently or been fought more dangerously
than the suit brought by the Tenth National Bank
70 recover from the city the sum OF $256,4l5 So.
claimed to be still due from the city to this bank
on account OF advances made to the New Court
House Commissioners. The multiplicity OF mo.
lions and countermotions made in this matter
possess cOmplexity, IN fact, that would baile the
,astute intellect OF the astutest Philadelphia law
Yer. OF course, alter so much has been said
and written in regard to the case, In
connection with the proceedings heretofore
had In the courts 1t is unnecessary to give an ex.
tended reorganization Of the details The great
point OF difference Island this the suit is to de-
termine, II IL ever reaches determnate result,
which. judging from experiences thus far, seems
improbable for some time to come-that while the
bank claims that the sum In dispute was honestly
and In good faith advanced to the Court House
Commissioners, 1t is alleged, on the contrary,
that this Is only an attempt to obtain money
rem the city treasury to which there Is no
just and legal title. While the bank Of
Gals bring forward piles OF ahidavts and
columns OF figures that would perplex an
expert in accounts to show the legality of their
claim. quite as strongly opposing afldavits are
submitted In opposition, upon which Is predicated
the bank claim. Outside OF the merits OF the
case 1t Is claimed on the part OF the Comptroller
in resisting the application for the payment OF
this money that pr1nd acie case Is made in favor
ADVANCES were declared to have been made the
leading members Of the Ring, that at one time held
such potent sway in this city and through whom
were perpetrated the well known frauds in connec-
ton with the new Court House, were at that time
directors OF the Tenth National Bank. firing
OF Its efforts to get Its money through the ordinary
channels Of court procedure, the bank has finally
resorted to that most available and growingy
popular neutrality-suspicious. for q writ OF peremp-
tory mandamus. The mandamus thus sought for
Is to compel Comptroller Green to pay over to the
Tenth National Bank the sum above named alleged
to lave been advanced in 1871 on acquisitions OF
the Court House Commissioners. The hearing of
the argument upon the motion TOR the mandamus
was set down for yesterday in Supreme Court
Chambers, before Judge Donohue. Ex.Judges Ed.
monds and Davies appeared for the motion ana Mr..
John s. Strahan In opposition.
AkGUA8NT FOR THE BANK.
An extended argument was made setting
forth the grounds of the application and
urging that the facts presented showed
clearly and conclusively that the city was indebted
70 the bank in the sum asked for in the mandamus.
The whole story Of the case, as heretofore pub.
ushed In full in the HERALD. was gone over-a
story certainly Of great seeming plauslbility, to
which, together with the argument on the points
81 law involved, the Judge listened with the closest
attention.
COMPTROLLER GREEN SETTING ON THE DOGS OF WAR.
Thus far the proceedings were characterized by
that dryness invariably attaching to discussions
II abstract questions of law; but the reading OF
sf1davits by Mr. Strahan, put in reply, gave as
the reading continued, an enlivenlng interest to
scene. First came the following brief AFFIDAVIT
Of Comptroller Green setting forth how he deter.
mined to forestall what he considers illegal raid
IN the city treasury ana the means he set to work
70 do it,
city ana county OF Ne1o York, ss-Andrew II.
Green, being duly sworn, depOses and ISL am
Comptroller OF the city OF New York. The claim Of
the reatOr, the Tenth National Bank, for alleged
advances, among others to the Court House Com
mIssiOners was filed in the Finance Department
therefore, contained no Information to these
pretended advances. From Investigations made
iating to the new Court House, it became my duty
to cause a thorough examination to be made into
all matters relating thereto, and accordingly d.
rected Mr.. Taintor, an attache OF the Finance De-
partment. to proceed with such examination,
which he did, under my supervision. From the
examination so made am satisfied that no valid
claim exists on the part OF the reator against the
county, and that Il was my duty to resist the same
ANDREW II. GREEN, Comptroller.
Sworn to before me this 7th day OF February,
ls74-NIcHOLAs +. BUTENscHoN, Commissioner Of
Deeds.
AN EXPERT OF ACCOUNTS ON An EXPLOITING TOUR
AS Will be seen by the ABOVE afidavit the duty
Of fcrreting out the matter was assigned by the
Comptroller to Mr.. Taintor, the recognized chief
expert Of accounts In the COmptroller's Office
his pursuit of knowledge under difficulties, and
how he finally triumphed over these difficulties
are set forth in his suboined afldavit His COL
lection Of facts and figures, upon the thread
bare topic OF the financial operations OF the Ring
reused to attentive listening all persons in the
court room. The following is his aff1davit:-
Cttv ana county Of Neac forh, ss.-Henry T.
Taintor being duly sworn. deposes and says that,
as directed by the Comptroller OF the city OF New
YORK, have made Investigations in reference to
alleged expenditures by the Court House Com
vances by the reiator, the Tenth National Bank
OF the city OF New York, to said Commissioners.
As specially requested by the Comptroller, ap.
Piled to Mr.. Walter 3. Palmer. the President OF
said bank, tor information III relation to said ad
vances. Mr.. Palmer was well aware OF the fact OF
/ carried with me to him written authorization
by the Comptroller to permit me to make the ex-
ANIMATION ana procure inc information desired.
CHILLING RECEPTIONS.
Mr.. Palmer referred me to his counsel, Mr. Field,
Of Edwards Field. Mr.. Palmer and Mr.. Field
consulted together upon the subject. l pressed
both Mr.. Palmer and Mr.. Field to afford me the
necessary facilities to enable me to proceed with
my examination, but this was denied me. i failed
to get from Mr.. Palmer any information whatever
on the subject OF that advance. He informed
me that he was not going to impart to the Comp
trOller any information which might prejudice the
relatO case. Mr.. Field was very emphatic In his
statement that the REALTORS would not afford me
any information whatever relative to the transac-
lions OF said bank with the Court
House Commissioners. I reported 10 the
Comptroller the refusal OF Mr.. Palmer
and his counsel to allow me to make
the examination OF the books and papers In the
bank relating to these transactions, and was
directed by him to prosecute my inquiry in all
S H avaiiape channels applied 10 the clerk OF
relation to the expenditures OF the commissioners
anu IN relation to the moneys received by them,
OUT ialed TO obtain any information as to any par
ticulars relating thereto.
FOURTEEN MONTHS RESEARCHES.
NOR tho from ha i'm