The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-08
The Comptroller's Respite.

Mayor Wickbam has put on record his con-
demnation Of Comptroller Green as an in
capable or unfaith1ul financial officer. He has
stated to the Common Council that he is not
in position to inform them what the liabili-
ties Of the city really are, but that in his
judgment 'the time has arrived when the ac-
tual financial condition of the city should be
definitely ascertained and published in de-
tall He has declared that it is impossible
to devise and carry out any practical measure
of effectual relief until the taxpayers are in
possession of the fullest information on the
subject of the fnances-informatio they do
not at present possess. If this means any
thing it means that the head of the Finance
Department is either so incapable as to be
ignorant of our true financial condition
or 80 dishonest as to deceive or with
hold information from the people he
serves. It is the duty of the Comp
troller to know 'what the liabilities
Of the city really are" Why is
the information withheld from the Mayor
1t is the duty of the Comptroller to be familiar
with ''the actual financial condition of the
CITY," Why are not the taxpayers in possess
sion Of 'the fullest information on the SUBJ
ject?" The Mayor calls on the Common
Council to take measures-in which he
promises to heartily co-operate-to procure q
balance sheet showing the financial position
of the city at the close of the past year. What
necessity could exist for this recommendation
to the Common Council if we had, in the
opinion OF the Mayor, capable and faithful
head Of the Finance Department. whose
statements could be accepted as reliable?
Mayor Wickham further arraigns the Comp
troller for having caused "vexatious and
costly litigation" by forcing current claims
against the city, into the courts ''before the
creditor can secure the amount to which he
is justly entitled" The charge is in
directly and not directly made it is
true; but when the Mayor pledges himself
to secure IN the future "to every just and
honest creditor a speedy settlement of his
claim" when he declares that he will hence
forth ''see that no unnecessary delay takes
place on the part of the proper officers of the
government in passing upon claims presented
to them for adjustment and settlement" when
he proclaims that thereafter there must be
observation-disclosures unjust must be separated
from the just-and as to the latter vexatious
and costly litigation will not be permitted"
he means that the evils he promises to remove
have heretofore existed, or he means nothing
of all, and his words become mere rodomon-
tade
Now, why does the Mayor hesitate to re-
move financial officer whom he thus ar
raigns? Some of the city papers allege that
the Mayor has 'made his peace" with Mr..
Green; others, that he hesitates to remove the
Comptroller in the fear that the Governor will
violate his principles to "save' personal
friend. We do not accept either of these ex-
planations for to do SO would be to
condemn Mayor Wickham as unfit to hold
the Office for which he has, up to this time,
shown gratifying qualifications. 1t may be
true that the Mayor, in his kindness of heart,
has conceded to Mr.. Green q certain respite
in order to afford him an opportunity to re-
sign. If he has done so we believe he has
made mistake, for the Comptroller will
never resign. If the delay has been sought
it has been for the purpose of afiording an
opportunity for intrigue to embarrass a re-
moval. 1t is sometimes wise to ''make haste
slowly" but the policy is often harmful. The
people desire to get rid of Mr.. Green. The
Mayor has condemned him. The Board of
Apportionment have censured him for official
misconduct. 1t is essential above oil things,
that the finances Of the city should be man
aged capably and faithfully. Delay in this
case is direct injustice to the city. and may