The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-10-13

succeeding goth or August elected President Of
the Board OF Commissioners
Owing TO the large expenditure Of the previous
months and to The alleged improper manner in which
the construction and maintenance accounts had been
Kept, and 70 the payment from the Appropriation OF
1873, OF bills contracted In previous years-bills not
properly chargcabe 70 such appropriation, but which
were nevertheless paid by the Comp,roler-it became
evident 20 the Board Of Commissioners that the unex-
pended balance Of about October % 1873 Of 500 COS 81
would not be sufficient meet the necessary expenses
OF the department. for the months OF November and
December
Acting under advice Of my colleagues (who to their
hohor De II said had never charged me with the sole
responsibility for the condition q the fund as II APP
peared al that time) | called upon the Comptroller
ABOUT the middle Of October anu then and there ex
planned TO him fully the financial condition and pros
pective wants Of the department
The Comptroller on that occasion gave me some ex
celent advice, viz, that the expenses Of the depart
ment should be reduced to the lowest possible scale
coupled with the assurance that lie would take OF
tne payrohs ana that whatever bulls incurred ion
necessary supplies TO be bought should paid for Out
oil the appropriation Tor the year. thus conform
ing TO practice which had obtained previous years
OF Park management.
had At that time no good reason to doubt the per-
feet good faith of the Comptroller aud believe now
that he would have live up 10 his assurance
out ior reasons which need not now give.
submit that II cen scarcely be considered fair and
honorable course for Commissioner who nealccts
10 meet with ms colleagues to hold them solely respon.
sible for errors committed which his presence and cx
perience might have deferred prevented
The hope and confidence inspired by the Comm
troler that were to be taken care Of led my col
eagues 10 suggest hat should report plan for
dlate retrenehmenL Time purchases made
strictly in accordance with the Complrollcr's own sug
gestion, and the 9th of October reported large
reduction OF the working force which plan was adopted
by the Board, and IN pursuance thereof Commissioner
Williamson moved resolution which also adopted
hXing the cost Of the working force at $2SS per day
tSee Park minutes
II is worthy OF in this connection that during
all this time not hint conveyed me- either by
the Comptroller or any OF my colleagues that | had
done wrong act IN any way or sense exceeded nv
authority The Board acted a unit
IL Will be seen from the oregomg statement IL any
one person more than another directly responsible
for the existence of these unpaid CLAIMS that person is
Comptroller Green.
The Commissioners of Parks had to speak II mildly.
become familiar with the subtle methods aud ecsen.
trcities OF the Comptroller, and 1t is my Grm convc-
ton that but for the given By the Conn.,
troller the President OF the Parks not one dollar
would have been expended in excess OF tho sppropra-
ton, and that the maintenance OF parks and places
would have been practically suspended for the months
oil November and December 1873
thought the time and still think that the Comp
troer acted right in this matter.
As ] the habit of sitting up nights to prc-
pare blisters 10 put upon other people, " had
Cured to me- previous To the attempt Of the ComptroF
Ter to fasten the whole responsibility upon me- that
would be Justified in pubNly liking 1t upon him, wher
II rightly belongs
that they frequently break forth in methods wholly UNI
looked for.
The communication addressed to the Board of Esti
mate and Apportionment by the Board Of Park Com
states that the bulls are Justly due.
join in your request that an effort should now b.
made to provide tor the payment of these bills especial
ly as 1t is known to that some OF the claimants ara
sorely In need Of their money.
emphasize your appeal to the honorable members o
the Board of Estimate and Apportionmen not to ongei
$ H WALES.
late President Department of Public Parks.