The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-03-16
THE COMMISSIONS.


ABSENCE THAT LENDS ENCHANTMENT TO THE
vIEw"-A SCANDAL ABOUT SOUR GOLDFISH.
A representative OF the HERALD yesterday
dropped in unexpectedly upon the Commissioners
OF the various departments. He fouud that, with
one or two exceptions, the subordinate clerks had
entire control, and there were absent during
business hours, between noon aud two r. NJ, not
only the Commissioners but the secretaries or
commission, AS the gentleman aud their Sec
retares are paid TO be on duty during these hours,
1t Is proper question TO ask, "Who supervises
the departments to that well paid officials at
tend to their dutesa"
THE DEPARTMENT OF PARIS.
At this bureau not one OF the Commissioners
was present. The secretary Mr.. Irwin, VINO Is
rarely absent, was reported at dinner. From
another underoncial 1t was ascertained that the
commission have not held q meeting for nearly
twelve days, owing to the absence OF Com missioner
Martin, who arrived from the East yesterday.
The other Commissioners 1t appears, 40 not wish
to take any action at the present uncture without
full board being IN attendance. The next
meeting, IL Is understood, VIII he held tomorrow.
THE DEPARTMENT OF BUILDINGS.
Very Unexpectedly the reporter dropped into
the Department. OF Buildings, and hnding no mes
senger to receive his card he, unlnvited, pene-
trated through the rooms OF Attorney Gedney to
Mr.. Adams room. There he found, IN earnest
consultation, Inspector Sllsbee, Secretary Donald
son and superintendent Adams. The secretary,
seeing the writer hesitate about invading the
privacy OF Adams office, came out and an nounced
that there was nothing new.
THE EXCISE DEPARTMENT
Here were found on duty President Stewart
and Commissioner Stiner. From them 1t was as.
certalned that from 1000 10 $500 liquor dealers
are IN default. They nave received applications
from about $50 liquor dealers, about 5,O25 OF
partial payments. President stewart reports
at Albany but That Is Pros
pee. on TINS score tney snow disposition W COM
ply He reports, IN addition, that the Police
Board have requested tnem TO refuse IL
censes TO dislepuabie places, SO that they
can deal summary with them; whereas
shake their licenses In the races OF the
police, ana no onicer can interfere vita them, ex-
cept py arrests on the charge OF dlsorderly con-
duct. President stewart expressed his concur
renee IN TINS view OF the case, and IT is safe TO say
closing dlsreputable dens py refusing them
licenses.
The only persons found at the central once
were Superintendent Keilock and secretary Phil
llps President Bailey had been on duty lor some
hours, anu Commissioners Brennan, as usual was
inspecting tie institutions ON tue island. Mr..
Philips reported nothing new" but wnen tine
writer asked about the scandal IN the depar' ment
relative 10 sour Goldfish Mr.. Phillips was aston.
ana sad TO as where u the re-
was informed that on saturday, wnen the
writer visited the island vita the Coroner's jury
IN the StockvIs case he discovered large conslgn-
menJ Of goldfish being sent back nom the Island
that u contractor named q f. MaJlage mad sent
up 10 feed the unfOrtunates, anu 1t mad been
sent back by order OF President Bailey, who in the
meantime had detected the plot to PAIN of an IN.
trrior article upon The commissions. When Mr..
Phillips was iurtner informed that over 200
q1lutals OF this sn mad inspected by President
Bailey and only one package Of II passed Mr. Phil
lips opened his eyes, adjusted his spectacles and
wondered now tne writer had ascer AIMED SO
much. He was candld!y informed that the lnlorma-
ton came from Official on The Island,
who reported that President Bailey,
regarding the inspection OF his own Oflcers,
had secured an expert IN the fish trade
and condemned the assignment Mr. Philips re-
luctantly admitted that .ne Information gwen
him by the HERALD reporter was true, and III
answer TO questions stated (atfer reference 10 his
books that the Contract price per qulntal Is fixed
at 50 So When the suggestion was maze mat
possibly the contractor would Oh the reception
vi the condemned Isn at ms store, repack 1t and
then resnp 1t BACK to the commissioners. Mr..
Phillips laughed knowingly and remarked Tat lie
guessed pobody could IoOl Bailey anu Brennan
twice. MIR. Bailey might benefit the ILL., per-
sons under his cnatge by making special lnspec-
ton the tive.cent-per-pOund beef that was luiy
described In yesterdays HERALD.