New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-09-17


entitled TO IL under the law. when Mr..
KelIy's first quarters bill was presented. Con-
troIler Haws, surprising that the charges were
made as In that OF Sheriff wett refused pay &C. Mr.
Kelly however, had made such charge, aud the bill
was paid as originally presented. Deputy County Clerk
Gumbeton concurred the assertion that the checks
on the Sheriff In the matter OF summonins and draw
ing jurors are such efectualy to guard against any
fraud
VIM. Fl. wickham, wel-known Democrat q Tam
many sachem. and a member OF the Tammany General
Committee. declared his belief that there not
syllable OF truth in the charges against Mr. Keiy.
WATSON'S POLITICAL FRIENDS.
MS EMPLOYMENT IN THE sHERrFF's OFFICE BY Mr..
KELLY-Hrs SUBSEQUENT RELATIONS 40 HIS
RING FRIENDS. M
The charge has been made that the former
County Auditor. James Watson the confidential agent
OF tho old Ring and by many believed TO DO the brains
of the concern, whose death FASTENED It's overthrow
was first brought into public life by John Kelly Tho
fact appears to be that he introduced INTO public
life this city by Mr. Kelly and was hrst employed ~
him as confidential clerk In the Shers Office during
his first term. There some ugly rumors a. TO Wat
sons previous Life in California but the story is noe
known with certainty except by very few persons.
At the expiration OF Mr. Kelys term Of office. Watson
was appointed County Auditor by Controller Brennan.
which position he continued to hold under
Controller Connolly and up 10 the time OF the accident
which resulted In bis DEATH Watson. like Woodward.
rapidly advanced IN favor with the leaders OF the Ring
but there has been nothing developed In any OF tho
examinations to connect even remotely MI Kelly with
the frauds so long and so secretly carried with tho
conniyance OF the Finance Department. Watson soon
dropped his old friends and surrendered himself to tho
Vaccinations OF the Ring 1t Is also well known that
on account Ill health and family Affections, the loss Of
his wife and after another OF his three
%aDS Covering SeaTy sSs Whole time while hs
worst Of these frauds on the Treasury were oeIng
further ny contedsd By Mr. Re friends
that the sbefifrs bills by law were required 20 20
audited By the Board Of Supervisory as an otner
FORM considered OF any Importance, exoeps 70
guard against clerical errors and used hnay 90 et
pressye phrase Of the Rpg "to faciltat9 pubic bust
ness" 1t claimed that even Codhy Auditor Earle IN
delaying the payment OF bills, was summary thrown
out Of court aud his TO review the audit OF inc
Board Of Supervisors was repeatedly denied By
the Judges That Watson, probably. without without
S sdIs u" and set aside all the usual red
tape" inflicted on others not 50 hlghiy Iavoreu' MAY
political advancemens would naturally impei him TO
this seasonable courtesy. But this WIN not eonnect MT
Kelly with the Ring make him in any way accessory
TO the frauds Watson toward the last became very
important Of the machinery for OF Iaadu
lent claims and lived In the most arstocrau9 part OF
the city 10 almost regal elegance and luxury He was
no longer the dependent clerk. LIVING on the potsea
favor OF Mr. Kelly. but IN q position TO die.
tate TO his old chief both as 10 men and
measures, to promote party aud personal In
terests Mr. Kelly's friends also claim that all the
itens Of charges In the Sherfrs bills are liked by
statute that the Legislature from tune 70 une n nnea
the certain services a. Uniform rates
in ali the counties OF the STATE and that other services
specified left TO the discretion OF tne Bou OIL
Supervisors to audit and allow at such rates as tney
may consider Just aud reasonable That many OF the
items charged for at prices liked thirty ana even
forty years ago. and fairly are NOT now in any sense
ADEQUATE for the services performed IL
h also claimed that with increased growth OF me
city the number OF crimes has proportonateiy IN
creased involving greater labor and responsibility on
the part of the SherK