New-York tribune., 1875-11-15
BROOKLTN'S PLUNDERERS.

THE EFFORTS TO COMPEL RESTITUTION.
AFFIDAYITs FROM THE TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION
REFERRED BY THE ATToRNEY-GENERAL TO JOHN
T.. PARsoNs-wHAT MR.. PARSONS INTENDS TO
Do-MAYoR HUNTER AND CORPORATION COUN-
Sell DE wITT-THE sPRAGUE, BADEAU, AND NC
LAUGHLTN CASES.
When a committee of the Brooklyn Tax
payers Association sent afdayts 10 Att0rneyGonerl
Pratt asking him TO take action against certain officials
in the Brooklyn departments aud contractors alleged to
be members OF the Brooklyn Ring il was requested that
action against the accused persons should De
begun by the state authorities in the courts in
this city. Friends OF the against whom
charges were made went 10 Albany and informed
the Attorney General that the conduct of these cascs
could be safely intrusteG 20 Vim. c. Dc Witt, the
Corporation Counsel of Brooklyn The Att0rneyGcnera
finally referred the matter to John L. Parsons of the law
firm of Man * Parsons ut No 81 Wast requesting him
to receive aidayits from the Taxpayers Association
and decide first whether any of action existed
against any person in Brooklyn Kings County, and
second, why Corporation Counsel De Witt should not
conduct the suits Evidence has already been presented
10 Mr. Parsons showing the connection of officials and
t,acors with the Ring funds, and testimony will be
submitted this week. The members OF the Law Com
mttce OF the Taxpayers Association strongly Op
posed any suit being begun by BrOokyns Corporation
Counsel because they state he is universally known
c. Kingsley the contractor charged with participating
most largely in the frauds upon the Brooklyn Treasury
while he is also the attorney and counsel Of Thomas
KnSella who Of the Commissioners of the old
Water Board, the members OF which are charged with
the cOntrvance OF Of the worst devices which have
been successful in obtaining money unlawfuy from the
city.
Mr. Parsons on Saturday said that all matters in which
il stated any rascalty has occurred viii be thor
oughy examined by him. and the result will be reported
to the Attorney with recommendations to the
action which should be taken. He would arrive at
cnsion he said, as possible.
On Saturday Corporation Counsel DC Witt published in
the Brooklyn evening papers reply to Mayor Hunters
letter. asking him why he had not taken action in the
cases OF exColecOr Badeau cXTreasurer Spraguc and
Fire Commissioner Mclaughlin. After critcsng the
style of the Mayors letter, Mr. Dewitt says:
The case Of Mclaughlin in which Judgment has been
rendered in favor Of the city, that is now secured by
indemnity bond on the appeal, is submitted to the
General Term Of the City Court points to be handed 10
Badeau has been continuously proceeding, IN q
or tbs civ for the last year without any inter
mission. You surely know the fact that the case OF
sprague finally closed in favor of the city, and that
have possession property and securities sufficient
10 cover the ctys loss All TIE cyil litigation arisins
from the plundengs the city through the Tax Olce
and the Treasury Department have been within the last
conducted to asuccessiu Issue, while al the
parallel criminal prosecutions conducted through tEe
State officers have been attended by success TO the
punderers.
Mayor Hunter said last night to a TRRUNE reporter
that he had received any letter from the Corporation
Counsel but what purpored 10 be letter from
Mr. DE Witt in the Brooklyn papers. That was dis
courtesy which he could overlook. 1.-THE letter, how
ever" said the Mayor, 4" is most insulting aud is untrue
I'm its statements. gave the Corporation Counsel on
sept 20 the communication spoken Of / did not send
il to him. but gave it TO him in person 20 that there
might De miscarriage and then | conversed
with him regarding contents" Mr.. Dc Witt did not
wish TO receive IT, and handed it back but the Mayor
fused To receive it, Mr. De Witt did not place that letter
on e said the Mayor but kept IL in his pocket; but he
showed il to Mr.. Mclaughlin, land that, l have no
doubt" added Mayor Hunter, Influenced Mr. Mclaugh-
lin in his choice OF nominee for Mayor" The Mayor
then considered the different parts OF Mr. De Wits letter,
commenting upon II as follows:
Instead the referred 10 having been prosecuted
with ygor no substantial results we.sa saIe n Dssn
ment has rendered against him. that took place
two years ago l understand, put nothing mas been
done since no execution has followed, and the money
due has not reached the treasury The statement that
ihe matter been submitted to the General Term
of the Cty Court Is 10 ana the submission must
have been made since my letter of sept 20 In the ease
of Badeau satisfactory result has been reached,
treasury. % II Is stated that the city has possession OF
sufficient property and securities 10 cover the citys
in thar light There l. prior claim ON the property.
spragues brought sut 10 recover the property
turned over under misrepresentation That "a ali mort
gagged the Corporation Counsel should have taken
action aiGerwad All know IN regard to all these mat
ter- il that no money hts reached the cit treasury
don't pretend to be lawyer hut believe that IL proper
efforts had been made the treasury would have been
rched by money recovered from these defautDg officials
The Mayor said that he should reply TO Mr. DE WITT
and that the statements made TO the reporter would
body what would be In his reply. When asked whether
he would take any official action in the matter he replied
that he certainly should II the Corporation Counsel did
not act Immediately What form that action would take
| he could not say at present.