New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-09-12
VIEWS OF ALLAN CAMPBELL.

FRANK EXPRESSIONS or OPINION on INYEsHGA-
Tons And on CITY POLITICS GENERALLY
PLEASANT READING FOR ALDERMEN.
Allan Campbell, Commissioner of Public
Works was asked no could give any information about
the charges against county officials. am not in
the way OF political council and maneuvring" he re-
plied My work IA in a different line. Consequently l
would not be likely be consulted or apprised OF the
matter In any event. and think the preparations, II any
have been made must have boon made very quietly"
81 reoeye no lnnatlon about tho charges" he con-
timed until Tuesday when I read Of them In TIE
TRInrSE saw In me Express yesterday, an apology
IA A. were for these officials The article says
that they have only followed long line OF predecessors
IN exaoting certain fees aud II certain mistakes have
occurred the Offices they are only such as are aplo
10 occur IN all city departments, and that the head OF
d,rept cannot be Informed OF every act OF his subof
dnates II Is even said that my department would not
hear similar scrutiny aud such mistakes might even oc
cur I'm the Controllers Office For The Express this must
be n very great admission What Ia meant by tho allu
siop 10 my Office than can tell There are no
srousite, IN the Office. We are all paid salary How
80 tbe Aldermen some time ago passed a resolution
,pthorzing an Investigation in the Office OF Public
work. They have not appeared as yet, but we are
ready for them"
aAs 20 tina fees Of the County Clerk Sheriff and Reg
Isterv continued Mr.. Campbell, 81 suppose that Tor
Years they have been OF the fees established
nv law This practice has been great tax on the COM
munity and unQuestionably IL ought to be stopped 1t
a. ~, abuse that ought not to have been tolerated
long For several years the County CLERKS, Registers
and sherifs Offices have been estimated believe, rs
worth between $4,000 and 100000 year In Tees
For this reason there has been great scramble 10 ge
into them and they have become powerful political In
.truments Probably the inoumbens have been Obliged
In contribute literally 20 the campaign tund These
belieye are the only remaining Offices supported by
foes II would be a public benefit IL the law were
changed so as 20 aK salaries 60 these Offices ana TO
make IL the duty the iucumbens TO collect the legal
fees and turn them into the public treasury inc duties
perormed by two OF those uhicals are mainly cleroa
and ~ mo- such importance their perqnlsles would
imply An exception ought 70 be made In tue case OF
the sheriff His salary ought 10 De DerS s ~ ~ s
nnbhc position. Mr. Gumbeton; the county OleIk was
at time deputy ~ my once tbn9t danbt abuses
have grown up which ought to DO cut on anu 'no oone
'pe TSongbtful citizens" added Mr. Campbell, "are
comIug more and 70 believe that parry ponuos
ought 20 be kept out OF sight ~ =, a pany
be confined 10 State aud Natlohhl eeolIVus'
zen far as the municipality Is od vemsnts
substantial docks. welllghted ana heaithb e'J
ot and ancient administration Mere politics ought
10 be kept OF sight In chOoslnB t To-
S ,or go long thai The citizen almost bewdered
It Is Impossible that the lndiylduaI Sson shVa
lie CHARACTER OF all tue moo whom he assists IN pseSe
t. nower Years ago II was not The Mayor and the
Baord of Aldermen had largely the power Of appomng
the officers below them, aud the Ie~ponsD.ity
rssted with them. Nog-YOrk has been fortunate
~ rnle in securing good Mayors, but the Board OF Al
dermen makrs spectacle that Is positively s9kehg Tvs
powers have largely curtailed by me Lezsaue,
hut this was necessary because OF the mseraDie
character of tho body There are worthy men 10 inc
board but IL Is controlled by ignorant mon VIM ~
measure aro been liquor sellers or corner EVk
eery Keepers IL Is actually considered disgrace py
decent citizens 70 he called Alderman 80 low nave ue
sssociatiOps OF the office become. THIS SAD Showing
for great city like New.York. Since 1871 tns Deteer
alas N ezens nave been interested in securing re-
forms in city government, but their work Tit NOT %
half done until they restoro the once OF AlaeImAn "
dignItv md respeetability. good opportunity SCOUTS
10 he offered at the coming election for wrestling tue e
government from Us present Poaltion nSpoay oam 0 ~
viii SHOW It Is an unknown quantity. But political
aT.ira are sufficiently Mixed perhaps, 10 hou OUT
ise of sceess 70 sntTammany ana tne
Rspublicnns n they will unite aud nominate men WIZ
viii attTnct the support OF every Citizen VINO loves EVO
honest CITY government irrespective OF party Pontes
Aud as 70 any wncn are on fooI lot 'he
truth preYair"