New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-12-12
THE BAR ASSOCIATION REPORT
COMMENTS OF COUNTY OFFICERS.

COMMENTS OF COUNTY OFFICERS.
CONTROLLER KELLY CONSIDERS THE INQUIRY A
POLITICAL ONE-vIEws OF OTHER OFFICERS
The report of the Bar Association Com
mlttee on alleged abuses in the offices Of the Sheriff,
County Clerk aud Register much discussed in
public Offices yesterday Several Of the accused officers
gave their opinion VI the investigation Several showed
much Indignation about the report and the Controller
declared that the committee was being usor
for political purposes County Clerk GumbleIon
said my views of this matter are expressed
IN the letters that passed between myself and
the committee wlich were read 20 the Bar
Association think the committee ought to state what
they desire to hud IN this Office before beng permitted
to enter It. They ought not ask any puOlc officer
admit them to his Office with free permission to prowl
around 1t collecting evidence against him. desire an
open investigation wnen It is made, not a secret
think that every fee asked In this Office lawful
one. Questions Of politics at the bottom OF this
movement, and feel confident that Governor Robinson
Will never lend himself any sinister scheme OF the
kind"
The Bar Association Committee encountered hostility
from Controller Kelly. and mentioned the fact IN their
report Mr.. Kelly expressed his opinion OF the commit
tee yesterday. lie said he thought the Inquiry
was ac'uated far by political moUyes
than BY desire to right abuses. Mr. Tlden,
be thought using the committee to attack wing
OF the Democratic party TO strengthen the other.
Ihdlth Macican one OF the members or the Bar As
sociation Committee, has Office company with Mr..
Tlden, on Wall-st Mr. TIdon probably thought no
could drive the sheriff the Register and the County
Clerk utU an attitude VI hos ity to the organization
tGat elected them. The Bar Association Committee
would PEI haps lay ually charges before Governor
RObiu-On. He WAS confident that no Illegal fees were
asked In County Clerk GumbletOu's office. Regarding
the Register and Sheriff, II bis opinion that they
could not support their Oc n they Obtaued only tile
fees named IN Most OF the respecting their
departments passed early M the present century
and were IuapIiCablr 10 the business Of tu-laY.
I4tgvy "a tee
in asserting that the fes demtnued in hIs office when
tue invest cation began sti asked al some persons
There had teen great reduction IN all fees. Charges
were uniform II there were rXactIOns lie would remedy
them, SHOULD they De pointed out tn him.
MAJOR W. II. Quincy the order OF arrest clerk Of the
Shtr, lOuud full Of indignation over the following
sentence concerning hm-rf IN the committees report
lilo also admitted ta the SUMS received were divided
between himself and his sUOOIdinaes, and thai he had
DISCHARGED four for not dividing fairly with him." Ma
irr Quincy sad That statement II faschOUd. IL ~
prepUscI that disc ed men because the wouldn't
'divvy wIh TIE referred 10 were dismissed Tor
other reasons and stated the 10 the committee.
Il woulI be Impossible 10 tins office upon the fees
named IN The STATE laws. The Sncrh Is out 10 many cx-
prnses for wmch he can get no reimbursement 9y
statute. so far, have made no money by taxing the
office. Ny PERSONAL accounts would snow deficit NJ
scad Of gain The fees asked are not eGacted, and
mos lawyers willingly pay thcin.'