The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-24
GREEN'S INSOLENCE TO VAN MORT
His Ideas Of Official Courtesy
Illustra ted.
CONCEALING PUBLIC DOCUMENTS.
The Commissioner Of Accounts Thwartcd by
Him at Every Step.

the Official misconduct or Comptroller Green. The
principal witnesses were Commissioner Van Mort
and Mr.. Rowe, Commissioner OF Accounts, whose
testimony on the obstructive policy OF Mr.. Green
was oil great Importance. Mr.. Van Mort. who
seemed 10th to expose the enmity between two
high ofnclals to public gossip, was yet driven to
the admission that Mr. Green's manner toward
him frequently "brusuue and unfriendy,"
and Mr.. Rowe's testimony went to show that the
Comptroller hampered the Commissioners OF Ac-
counts in their investigation OF the Finance De-
partment in every possible manner, and had even
gone far as to insult them grossly
by informing them that ne "woud not
waste his valuable time on them" when they
applied for certain important papers. Mr.. Van
No t's marked reticence and unwlllingness to
testify indicated that what told fell far short OF
what he knew, and, in TACT, he spared Mr.. Green
twuo, according to Mr.. Van Nort's own admis-
non, had frequently insulted him) in manner
that was certainly magnanmous.
ABSENT WITNESSES.
The examination was conducted principally by
the chairman OF the committee, Alderman Purrov
Before any witnesses were called communtca-
hon was read from Dock Commissioner Wales
asking to be excused from attendance as he had
10 be present at the meeting OF the Dock Commits.
Moners. The communication stated at the same
time that lie mad not vet reduced his testimony to
session of the committee.
MIR. Jonn Wheeler, President Of the Departm emit
OF Taxes, who had been subpGnaed as q witness,
was excused on the ground Of illness.
The Chair said Mr.. John B. Haskin had also
sent word down that he was Ill, but that he would
attend at the next session. subsequently the
following letter from Mr.. Haskin was read BY the
Chair:-
Henry D. PunRor. ESQ.,, Chairman oftne Committee on
DEAs sIa-severe indisposition and mu tipicity Of
pienne my charges ana specifications OF Comptroller
s5 s q have them nssea ana rsasS
m Tine M bes ieG one Of
Somm i ." Yours truly wy vic JUN B. iAsKiS
A discussion ensued on the advisabity or ap.
plying Tor ATTACHMENTS against number OF other
witnesses chat mad not put IN an appearance, but
no conclusion was come to-
JUDGMENTS AGAINST THE CITY.
The first witness called was Mr.. Gumbleton,
Deputy County Clerk. He presented q list OF judg-
ments 1led In the County Clerk's ONCE against
The city from OCTOBER l. 1871 TO FebI uary 15 1875
obtained IN the Supreme Court, superior Court
Court OF Common Pleas and Marine Court; these
judgments were 493 in number. and the total
amount So 1885, 407 "a; OF these 493 judgments only
about 200 are satisfied; the legal costs OF the
judgments obtained In the Supreme Court were
$5U.755 81, and the interest on the amounts
and interests In the judgments obtained In the
other courts, as the gross amounts Of the judg-
ments only were filed in his ONCE.
MR.. VAN NoRT'S TESTIMONY.
George NJ. Van Nort Commissioner OF Public
Works, was examined by Mr.. Purroy.
Witness was asked II ne had read the resou.
hons OF the Board of Aldermen appointing the
committee OF investigation. A. No, SIR.
The resolution was then read to the witness.
Q. We desire 10 know. II, within your knowledge,
the Comptroller has in any way obstructed the
pubic servlcer A. The Comptroller has, on inter-
pretng he law, differed with the other depart
ments and IN that way payments were delayed.
@. DO you know any cases of that klnds A. re-
member the case OF the payments OF some OF the
laborers on the DOuevards IN planting trees, the
Comptroller differed with the department. and de-
aged the work and payment Of the men.
Q. 10 you know whether the Comptroller con-
yuted the Corporation Counsel with regard to his
q. dow long was the work delayed on that oc.
casIon A. In one case some months; should
q. 1t mas been publicly alleged that Andrew
Il. cen, Comptroller. mas unJus'ly resisted
tue payment oa legal claims against TINS cry.
tute out OF tue public treasury large sums OF
money, in costs, disbursements and interest; the
committee desire That GU should give them all
The Information you possess with re ference to
THIS Allegation. A. could not particularze any
Tolier's construction OF the law would some
zines dl1er with tnat oil the neads oil other de-
oartments, ana delays OF payments would en-
sue.
q. Do you recollect any case Of tnat klndG A.
| recollect The case vi the pay ment OF some Of
she lab rers planting trees on the boulevards;
the comptroller differed from us, and the case
was taken to the courts and delay was occa-
stoned.
q was the opinion or the Corporation Counsel
taken on that case A. can't say.
THE ACTUAL DELAY.
q. How long was the work delayedY A. In one
case some months; don't recollect how many
months.
q. Is mat the only instance OF o legal claim he
has resisted 10 your knowledge? A. There might
be others That don't occur 10 me now; no would
put his cons ructlon on the law. as any other de-
pertinent would. IN making payments, and ne
and in that way delays ma nave occurred.
z. DO you recolect any other casesa A. don't
.. Could You refresh your memory on this point
between THIS day and the next day OF meetlngf
o. / Wish you would. The second allegation
is-"it nas been PUBLICLY alleged that said Comp
iroler mas AT various tunes employed numerous
ltlou 0i resisting the pay ment OF legal claims,
ali OF whose lees nave beeh paid out OF the pubic
treasury" Is there within your knowledge any
cas- OF That klndy A. know VI none except from
hearsay aud The pubic prints.
wNctner the COMPTROLLER mas paid LAWYERS to re-
slst payments and eject legislation AS alleged
A. have no personal knowledge.
q. Il you recoiiect any case IN which you can
give your OplnlOn OF advice to the committee,
Win TIE reasons Tor your opinion or advice. they
will consider iJ--Otherwise REJECT u2 A. On THIS
SUBJECT nave no actual knowledge; dOnt Know
wnOm nc PAD; only know w reports IN the news.
papers.
DIPLOMATIC RFTICENCE.
Q. Was any case brought to your knowledge
iuiing your administration OF your present once
where he employed special counsel? A. Yes.
q. To resist a clalm or elect Legislation IN any
way with regard 10 your Department. A. can
only answer mat have no positive knowledge,
except from persons appearing as counsel Tor or
aeaiDs'.
Y. Can you give any Information to the commit
tee 10 cIabie them ~ reach this lact do you know
Ol any pa, Ties having tnis Information A. No,
except the COMMISSIONER OF Accounts.
q. ANY private parties? A. Know OF no private
parties.
q dave you been connece ed with the Board OF
ApDor ioDmentS A. Yes; up to the passage o. the
Charter u, 1873.
q. 1t Is also alleged here "thaL said Comptroller has
Illegally utvo cd certain sums set apart Tor special
purposes by the Board oi Apporrionment and the
Laws o. TINS state to otner pui poses not authorized