The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-11-29
ExCITEM ENT IN R4HWAY.
What 10 Believed to be Malicious Perssoutisn
of City OmcIaI.

Mr.. Joseph T. Crowell, Treasurer of Rah-
way, Indignantly denies the truth Of the accu-
sations rejecting upon him In connection with
the conduct OF his office. In the Common Coun-
Gil are Charles Il. Pratt and joan L. Freeman.
who Mr.. Crowei says. are bis bitter personal
enemies. and who have for a long time annoyed
him 10 every possible way. Mr.. Pratt. he charges
has been particularly malicious. Early this year,
on MIR. Pratts motion, a resolution was passed
ordering the appointment OF a committee Of
three members Of the Common Council and Ave
citizens as IN advisory board to examine the
IreaSurers books. They appointed MIR. John
for several months, Treasurer Crowcll giving
hun free access to all the books and papers and
anordinR every assistance.
Three months ago Mr. Underhill handed his
report to the committee, but they, 1t Ia said,
have not yet submitted II to the Council. In
stead. two members. Mr. Pratt and MIR. Free
man-Mr. Weldon, the othor member, not hav-
Ing been nmoned, and none of tho citizens
committee being present-met aud made an
order In the name OF the COMMITTEES, command
Ing the Treasurer to appear before them In the
MIR. Crowell SAYS tnat Mr.. John NJ. Weldon did
not sign the document, and that the use Of We'll
don's name was a forgery.
This mandate Mr.. Crowell refused to obey,
saving that ne virtually surrendered every book
and paper IN his ONCE for several months to
committee hnd DO right to order second ex-
animation until 1t had reported on the frs, and
while he had thrown his OH e and safes open To
proper examiner he was not willing to take his
books and papers from thence to another place
Tor examination 10y committee not legally ap-
pointed.
His answer, he says. the CONF ittee refused to
read before the full board, but, instead, minor
ity obtained AN order from the Judges OF the
Supreme Court, directing him to show cause
why he should not be punished for contempt:
10 tue mean time testimony to be taken before a
commissioner
The committee Yesterday met in the Common
Council room and locked themselves In. Sew
eral wei-known residents attempted to enter,
put were repulsed. An informal meeting was
held, and a protest drawn up and signed by
many taxpayers and old residents, and sent in
to them. demanding the right to attend their
deliberations. Not the slightest attention was
paid to II. What the committee did they would
not tell. but 1t was ascertained that Messrs.
Pratt and Freeman seemed afraid thel had been
cede from the position they had taken, II they
could.
Throughout the city much indignation was
expressed, and II was freely satd tina: the whole
af lr was born OF personal spite aud malice
az inst the Treasurer.
MIR. Jos, ph 4. Crowcll is one Of the largest real
estate owners IN the citv, hss been Ci.y Treqs-
urer for seven years. The old residents have
known him from oOyhOOd. MIR. A. i. Snotwell,
President Of the National Bank, speaks of Mr..
Crowell az one he has held IN high esteem for
years. lie does now.
The Chairman Of the Finance Committee Of
the Board OF Common COuncilmen yesterday
wrote a letter to Inc sun, saying that the
rumors OF deacatton in Treasurer Crowells
ohice are entirely false, as the report, us rend-
cred by the expert GU bis examination. n ade up
to the ist OF January 1875, as authorized by the
Common Council shows the rieasurer's ac-
cunts TO be correct aud are perfectly sltisfac-
others, whom believe are maliciously inclined,
as authority for legal proceedings against MIR.
Croweli, but without my knowledge or consent
MIR. Crowell has sued Mr.. Charles 4. Pra for
slander laying his damages at $1,000, and Is
preparing the necessary papers to lay oefore the
next Grand Jury to have Sir JOnn l.. Freeman
| indicted fol peIJury