New-York tribune., 1876-11-24
ALLEGED MIsMANAGEMENT OF PARKS.
CHARGES PRESENTED TO THE MAYOR AGAINST CUM
MIssloNERs MARTIN AND O'DoNoHUE - THE

CHARGES PRESENTED TO THE MAYOR AGAINST CUM
MIssIoNERs MARTIN AND o'DoNoHUE - THE
PROBABLE REPLY.
Col. Rush C.. Hawkins, Jackson ). Schultz
and Dorman b. Eaton called on Mayor Wckham yester-
day morning and presented charges against PARK COu-
missioners william r. Martin and Joseph j. ODono-
hue for alleged official misconduct. The state
men, auogcs that these commissioners discharged,
without the notice required by law, George H.
Harrison william Z. Bemnes, b. n. Barlow
Isaac Evans and j. Bolton, clerks OF bureaus IN inc
department aud Henry Roster Captain OF Police thaI
they voted to pay s. day for laborers wages wheh
the market rates were 81 go day that by reason o
the official action and misconduct of Commissioners Mar
lin and ODonobue the City of NewYOrk has been de-
frauded OF a large OF money. The petitioners ask
that these commissioners be removed from once Ihe
petition is signed by the persons presenting u ana Dy
John c. Emo Stewart Brown, Russell Sage, H. b. Clanlh
a Co. William H. Webb, Parke Goodwin, John ii. sher-
wood aud several Others.
Mayor wickham down the hearing for this morning
at II o'clock and gave notice each of the petitioners
10 be present formal notice to appear was served also
on the two commissioners.
II ia stated on the best authority, that the answer
which Park Commissioners Martin and O'Donohue VIII
make to-day in reply to the charges preferred against
tbe,o will be substantially follows The persons
mentioned in the charges as having been dismissed were
discharged because the Board of Estimate aud Appor
tionment had reduced the appropriation for salaries III
the different departments such extent that reduc-
tions I'm salaries and number Of dismissas
were made absolutely necessary. The positions Of those
dscRged were filed by others, except III one case
I'm which the person dismissed considered neompe-
tent The clause the charter, upon which the charges
that these persons were not gwen nOtet OF De prIPOs
changes was based does not apply in this particular IN
stance. Certain considerations, also. moved ue COM
ssiOncrs not TO put record anything that might re-
fleet uDOn the ability OF those discharged the men inter-
csed knew Of these considerations ana assenteu 70 e
omission The motion to remove three OF these
employees received the unanimous vote OF the DOafu
The three others were removed upon the vote OF
three commissioners, which I'm accordance with the
rules The commissioners found the wages estaDlshed
as they now are The votes which cast against the
reduction were given with fn knowledge OF the rgu-
ments ON both sides and with ful reSnZaOn OK the
responsibility OF their action, after letter had been sent
i'm Nav 1876 asking tho opinion ot the Controller, as
ire highest financial officer Of the city, IN regard to the
proposed reduction No reply was received
Commissioner Martin stated last evening that Mr.
ODOnOhue and himself not only prepared To meet
these charges, but glad OF the opportunity
They had been waiting TO find some opponent Wiling 10
assume the Affirmative IN the question OF reducoh Oh
At the meeting Of the Board of Estimate and Appor
tOnmeDt Yesterday long communication was received
from William Martin, President of the Park Depart
ment defending the Park Commissioners against Con
trOler Green's report their mismanagcmcut &c.
Mr. Martin claimed that tie Commissioners had admin
isered the affairs OF the department wisely ana ecOnOml-
cally He placed the blame OF the present financial en-
Of the department ON the Board OF Ap0r-
onnent which had cut down the appropriation for the
year $937 $780, asked for 10 $495OOO Mayor Wick
submitted resolution, which was adopted, appfO-
lTiating $4,000 the maintenance OF tue parks ana
$1,000 for repairs to roads In the Iwentythlrd ana
Twenty yfOurth Wards, until the close OF the year Con-
trOler Green criticized the action OF the Park COmls
Oners but said would vote for the resolution In order
70 protect the public property.