The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-06-04
COMPTROLLER GREEN IMPEACHED.
Report Of the Law Committee on the
Investigation Into His Conduct
THE CHARGES SUSTAINED.
Mayor Wickham Asked to Remove the Head
Of the Finance Department.

OF any interest introduced was In relation to the
late reduction OF city laborers wages. Repub-
ilcan and democratic members nad prepared long
and high sounding preambles and resolutions
deprecating this action OF the city an horties.
Bolh agreed In condemnng the unwse proceed
lag OF reducing salaries OF workingmen. one
party wished TO SHIFT the responsibility on It's
shoulders TO that OF the other Three oil reso.
lutions were offered for consideration Alderman
beery proposed tne resolutions which were finally
adopted. These latter propositions contained
Rspersions republican policy, and could not
consequently be favored by Aldermen from that
side OF the house All, however, were unanimous
In decrylng the reduction OF labofers' wages.
speeches made by Aldermen Shandey,
6eery, Reilly Mccarthy and others denouncing
the adoption OF this rule. The last named gentle
man called attention to the present management
OF the Park Department., where thousands OF dol
lars had been speRt in paying snecurists and
also in exorpitant salaries TO clerks and other
o11cias. The patriotic Aldermen made long
speeches In this connection, which were, no
doubt, especially intended Tor the ears OF the
workingmen whose interests these off1cials claim
20 watch with the most careful socltude. Alder
man Reilly conte nded that republican commissions
were responsible for the reduction notwlthsrand-
Ing the fact that the meeting at which the roso-
luton was passed took place the May or's ONCE,
Mayor Wickham and General Fitz John Porter be-
ng present. Mr.. Reilly argued that the heads of
he Police, Health, DOCK and Park departments
Messrs. Disbecker, Chandler, Wales and Steobins-
who were all present at the meeting, are repuoli-
cans.
Seery, which were adopted
whereas the general depression of trade and stagna
through which the Country passing during the
o absolute necessity economy Of adminlstra
G e. Dc q By u be
sought Tor peeSnary profit sr l9r the they
general good and for the benefit OF the many rather than
0S % % to
snce 70 the actaa amount o. labor and 10 the
real value o. services rendered and the Of ad
repubhean has been to increase the salaries Of the
the salaries paid 10 the many subordinateso to the
Whereas the ncy of our institutions depends
npon honesty, :airness and economy in government
ultimately the greatest sufferers from maiadminsIra-
prornises Of reform and Of Substantial mpfovensht in
the present condition OF affairs in the respects
Resolved that we heartily approve of the act the
legislature which was introduced and passed a few,
which the salaries Of several O. ns Judges ind Judicial
in this city were largely reauced: and that we
spore the nerereneS with hs asrs Of
tary' reform ana economy in administratio lion
Legislature by representatives city districts were de-
tseneos tha we heartily approve also of Inc recent sc
ton several Of the DEPARTMENTS Of the city govern
dispensing with ocers and
cTaw salaries from TIE cy reas I While render
that recommend TO those ana all other departments
proceed in the mus nauguraed by reducing
actually necessary the efficient performance OF pun
pSery OF iner employees as 70 allow TO each only such
salary as viii be fair compensation for services actually
resolved. That in Of economy by general
reductions OF amounts paid TO employees OF the city
rnment wages OF laborers should be the last
.ral Of the departments, IN summary reducing the
erminSton against them at thus tune winch viii prove
Oppressive and VIII DC me occasion oil distress ana Vi
Resolved. That the present city charter. which was
administration Of the state Is IN many particulars con
ary % lhe true theory ., m nm 9y te people
enact that 1.-The heads OF all departments shall
ncers employees snd suDordinaes Respective de-
GERS and clerks employees subordinates In every
DOW fSed by special law or otherwise snail be such as
The heads OF the respective Departments shall designate
Resolved That we the members Of the Common Coun-
Mater are by those provision Of the City Charter I'M
aans those natter 6Gs that staining the views
hereinpeiorc expressed 4 i further $3.50,
pointed BY the President to call the several heads
coninaance OF present evils 10 cooperate With the
Mayor IN o. see ana 70 70 ms o9dy
1 ia rs o. qsa nrner aeuon as may DC
Aldermen Seery. Purroy, Shandley, Gross and
Reilly were appointed sucn committee.
rHE ALDERMENiS DISSECTION or COMPTROLLER
GREEN.
After the labor question nad been disposed OF
Dftne law Committee, handed IN their re port ana
conclusions to the Investigation recently held
DC the official conduct OF Com ptrOller Green This
report scathtng analysis OF certain acts or Mr..
Green during his term or Ofllce. IL Is as follows:-
The Committee on the Law, DEPARTMENT, % whom
Alderman Reilly in relation the oical conduct Of
Andrew 4: Green, Comptroller with instructions 10 in
thereon tbs Board respectfully beg leave 70 report
,ut Of the investigation committed To- our charge,
which ali Who were abie 10 throw light upon Tie Gues
unity ot being heard rt We had supposed mat the
sneien snd important power o. snmnon,ng Witnesses
sxaminaos 4 was sscerisnsd That recent legislation
nat now q Is Necessary ~ nc rst instance . apply
e az pacb wines, reoured Woreayerp WI RI the
witness did expressly it. the usual ices had
E2ur committee from winch this expense might be met
regard the subpoena. We, had no power 70 enforce
Ssain required 10 apply 70 the Court for an attach.
nent against him. wnlca necessarily inyPlyed a.,
this want Of p9ver ~ yoar eS%ss 6
erssd upon Them ana refused u e M
no ~ stenographsr upon Inc mere ru 81 Iuture
payment BY tho Comptroller we're few q the obstacles
duties They we're not however, all Ia two cases, at
sncc OF the public treasury unscrupulousy used 10
Keep iron 5osT p e y % se
Iary witnesses the first these that ~ James
Kedian Mr. Kedan had done work and furnished mater
ais the College OF the city OF New FORK Ills claim
therefor had duly audited by the Executive Com
mittee Of the College but was refused payment by the
Comptroller the report OF one Mckonkey an en-.
poye Of his office. suit was instituted ~ hedlan, anu
The Comptroller defeated at special and General
Terms; but still he refused 10 pay. MIR. kedian
summoned witness before your COMMITTEES and
mat TACT contrary wish made known through
INC public press Ie day before mat on which kedian
was 10 appear the Comptroller drew MS WARRANT on the
Eity treasury IN full payment Of the clam when
pc han heretofore strenuOusy resisted and delivered
me same to kedian testimony Of kcdnn. page o3l
lhe other case that 81 Mr. Charles Devlln. Inls
gentleman had claim against the city which bal
nnce was due. The Comptroller, Ia communication
made 70 ms Board IN February last before tins present
investigation was begun was pleased 10 select tins
claim rom among others ard cite Il STRIKING
ample Of the many fraudulent ana unjust demands
made on the Citv Treasury Mr. Deviln mad informed
the Chairman Of this committee that ne was IN
possession o. Important testimony, tending 70 inn
peach the ofncial conduct OF the Comptroller. lie
was thereup9n SUMMONED witness, and A. In
nm. IL. ~ 49,