The New York herald., 1877-01-23
THE COURTS.
Shall the City Pay for Aldermanic
Refreshments?
Mr.. Tlden's Income Tax Dis
cussed in Court.
DUNCAN, SHERMAN & co.
Another Curious Divorce
Case.

For many years Mr.. George W. Roome was the
oblging keeper Of the old City Hall During his term
Of ONCE custom grew up and in time came to be
regarded as having the force Of law II In
Mr.. Roome contracting Tor and furnishing mombers
Of the municipal legislature refreshments gloves,
he, on the occasions OF the death OF public officials
lhe birthdays OF noted characters they thought
htting to honor. Under this arrangement Mr..
Roome claims have shed. durng years 1870
and 1871 refreshments gloves and suitable decorations
10 the value Of $s,6s4 10. for which he socks to
enforce payment from the city. Auditor Hearne, who
succeeded Watson, appears to have audited Mr.
Rooms's bills and allowed them, but Comptroller
Green, Who succeeded Connolly refused to pay, not
outstanding sach audit and allowance suit was
then commenced for the recovery Of the amount. to
which the Corporation Counsel put in answer on
me part Of the city, setting up that the audit
OF the bills fraudulent and void; that The bills
were contracted ard refreshments and decorations
kc, were furnished without authority Of law, they
being unsustained by any formal resolution by the
Board, and that in any event the bills sued on were
excessive IN quantity and price. Yesterday before
was made on behalf OF piaintl TO have the cause re-
ferred on the ground that Il involved the examination
Of long account This motion was opposed on behalf
OF the city by Mr. Miller insisted that The clai
did not involve long account within the meaning Of
the statute that It consisted OF but ten bills in all,
and that the case involved questions which
souId be passed upon BY jury much more
PtOpory tuAu ny referee IN nlS argument In opp0-
iiton TO the motion Mr.. Miller referred to the items on
which the suit is brought from which appears that
on the nth OF March, 1870. the Aldermen refreshed
themselves to the extcnt Of $3.50 OF
day Of ST Patrick On the Fourth of July, In the
same year. they refreshed themselves and ornamented
and decorated to the extent OF $3.50 In the
same month there was expended for gloves, Grape,
kc on the occasion Of the death OF Assistant Alder.
man Harry Rogers. the sum OF $685. On the death OF
Alderman Florence Scannell there expended $685.
and for the reception OF Hon. " iam II. Seward, on
the occasion OF his return after tour around the
hFT1a nfo hn acin .fe eho
reception OF the escaped fenian prisoners thcy in
duged to the extent OF $3.50 This was in February,
1871 and on the l7th of March following they again
honored ST. Patrick 70 tho extent Of $s25 Then on
April 10 Of the same year came the great German
parade In honor Of The conclusion OF peace between
Germany and France, on which occasion the official
reviewers refreshed to the extent OF ST. 225. On tho
death OF the late Auditor Watson there expended
$lOS6; on that OF the late Superintendent Jourdan,
$780, and Of the late Alderman Thomas Conner. $3.50
These bills the Corporation Counsel wishes have
Jury inquire into Notwithstanding the certificate of
Alderman Conan 10 their correctnessl and on the
question whether this opportunity shall be afforded or
not Judge Donohue has reserved his decision.