The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-04-10


celebrated men of his age, and yet this fame
counts nothing in time of trial, then of what
use is character at all
Comptroller Green's Lobby Operations.
The word lobbyist" is justly deemed
term Of reproach which no respectable man is
willing to have applied to him. Comptroller
Green cannot escape this disreputable title on
the plea that he does not often go to Albany
in person; but he employs paid tools who act
by his inspiration and obey his instructions.
How he pays his lobby this winter has not
yet been disclosed; but his chief agent in q
former Legislature, Mr.. Dexter A. Hawkins,
was paid out of the city treasury at most ex-
travagant price, as was shown by the pubica-
ton of his bills year or two ago. But
whether their stipend comes out of Mr..
Green's own pocket or out of the taxpayers of
the city, it is quite certain that they are un-
commonly active in Albany this winter.
Green's hand has been plainly visible in the
legislation Of the present week on two sep
arate bills.
One Of these bills in which Green's lobby
has been dligent in earning its wages is the
bill relating to the deposits of the city moneys,
the selection of the banks which are to receive
them and the rate Of interest. The bill, as it
passed the Assembly, made the Chamberlain
and the Mayor the judges of this matter. The
Chamberlain is the City Treasurer, who is
responsible for the safe keeping Of its funds.
and it is reasonable to associate the Mayor
with him in the discharge Of this trust as
precaution. against favoritism to particular
banks. But there is no good reason why the
Comptroller should be joined with them in
the discharge of this trust But when the
Assembly bill got into the Senate Green's
lobby got it so amended as to give him a voice
in the decision and enable him to arrest the
action Of the Mayor and Chamberlain. This
amendment WINS made because Green wanted
it, and instructed his lobbyists to secure it, In
al well organized governments the func-
tions Of the chief finance officer and
that OF the treasurer are strictly sep
arated, and for the soundest reasons.
The federal Secretary OF the Treas
ury never handles dollar Of the
public money. lie or his subordnates
examine claims decide what sums are due
and give warrants for their payment, but the
custody Of the money is given to tho Treas
urer, who is quite independent OF him. Tho
Treasurer gives heavy bonds; the Secretary
gives none. The Treasurer is not appointed
by the Secretary, but by the President and
Senate. He is IN Independent officer, and is
made SO as o means Of protecting the public
funds The same system has always prevailed
in our State government The Comptroller
never touches dollar of tho State funds-all
claims against the State being paid by the
Treasurer on the Comptroller's warrant The
division Of functions between these two Off
GERS is intended to make them checks on each
other. Our city government is organized on
the same principle. The Chamberlain derives
his appointment from source entirely indie
pendent OF tho Comptroller. He gives bond
OF a million dollars; but the Comptroller gives
no bond, for the reason that the Law does not
intrust the city money to his keeping, as he
merely examines and certifies claims and
draws his warrant for their payment But,
impelled by his wish to grasp all the powers
OF the city government, Green instructed his
lobbyists to get the bill amended in the re-
publican Senate rs q means Of breaking down
an old and established check on his authority.
The bill which was sprung on tho Assembly
for revolutionizing the city government and
concentrating the greater part Of Its powers in
his hands is q more conspicuous illustration
Of his activity as a lobbyist. With Hustled as
a confederate end the black horse cavalry as
conductors he succeeded in giving this pre-
posterous bill quite promising start in the
Assembly, but he is destined to signal de-
feat. But he is as fully stamped az q lobbyist
BY the attempt as he would be by success.
His ambitious scheme IS utterly preposter-
Gus. II IS q scheme to overshadow the Mayor
and usurp his powers by one Of his subordi-
mates. II is az absurd as it would be for the
national Secretary Of tho Treasury to attempt
to eclipse and supplant the President and
make the Treasury Department supreme in
the national administration. The Comptroller
would BE much better employed in attending
to the proper duties Of his Office instead Of
expanding his energy in the discredtablc
trade Of an Albany lobbyist.
MrsGovEREafENT IN AnKANsAs.-We print
this morning another letter from tho pen Of
Mr. Charles Nordhoff, describing the mis-
government of Arkansas. hTr. NordhofI, who
IS now in the South, on behalf Of the HERALD,
studying The solemn and perploxing problem
Of reconstruction, brings to this work the
highest qualities-honesty, courage, fairness,
an incisive and graphic style. and q deep
N IL q