New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-09-10
nae MOTIVES FoR NE CHARGEs.

monument Democrats opposed to Tammany Han
talked over the advsabihty of bringing charges
against the Sheriff. County Clerk and Register OF
this county, and attempting to secure their removal
by the Governor. The patronage of these three
offices is so important that if they were taken away
from Tammany Hall its power In city politics would
he considerably impaired. After some discussion 1t
was decided not to press the matter at
that time The rumOr that effort was TO be
made to Gust Messrs. Reilly, GumbletOn and
IOew caused sOme excitement in the regular
Democratic organization, but it was not spread
abroad among the rank and file, and the leaders
speedily recovered from their slight uneasiness
when they learned that the undertaking was gwen
M for the time at least. The report was revived
again few weeks ago, but did not take very
definite shape and did not attract marked atten-
ton. Within few days, however, it has been
Whispered in both Of the hostile Democratic camps
that the campaign was by no means abandoned, and
that active measures would be taken very soon.
It was generally believed, both by Iammany ana
Anti-Tammany men, that Mr.. Iilden had much
TO do with the scheme, aud that it chiefly IN ms
interest. After the endeavOr TO change the COM
position of the Police Board in such way as to
make it subject to the influence of Iilden Dem
ocrats had failed the friends of the exPresidential
candidate cast about to see what other departments
offered probability of success. The receipts of
the REGISTERS Office were asserted to be largely in
excess Of those which would have been possible
upder strict adherence to the law, and tins Office
was first selected as the point of attack 1t was
soon concluded that the departments of the Sheriff
and the County Clerk were nearly, if not quite, as
vulnerable as that of the Register and it was
decided to get evidence which to base charges
against the occupants Ofthe three positions. II sut-
Gent evidence could be obtained toinduce Governor
Robinson to remove Them the appointment of men
A. I ho yvOT N
Mr. Tildens interest it was expected would follow,
on account of the political sympathes and personal
friendship of the Governor and the Ex-Governor
The movement has been carried on by what is called
the Cooper branch of the Anti-Tammany Democ-
racy, which is more closely allied with Mr. lllden
than any other The general talk of politicians has
credited Andrew H. Green, Nelson J. Waterbury and
John Y. Savage with active part in the prepare
ton Of the charges.
The accusations, as already intimated, win rest
manly on the alleged exaction of Illegal fees IN the
three Offices. Many of the politicians who have
been concerned in the movement have urged the
presentation of the charges to Governor Robinson
this week, and a few days ago it weli-ngh con-
cluded to send them to Albany September 8.
Afterward the plan was modified, and it was deter
mined to wait for few days at least Some of the
Anti-Tammany leaders thought it best to wait until
after election. Others argued that the charges
should certainly be submitted before the Demo
cratic State Convention, as they would weaken the
power of Tammany Hall in that body. The poll
ticians who have been carrying forward this scheme
are very hopeful of success. They say that there
can be no doubt of the Governors decision, for
they claim that the illegahty of a large part of the
fees charged in the three Offices is beyond question.
They declare themselves confident of getting their
delegates admitted to the State Convention, and
sert that the defeat of Tammany In the city in No
yember is almost inevitable. 1t is admitted that it
Is now or never with them. If they cannot beat
Iammany this year, they confess that there viii be
little hope for him hereafter
Friends of Mr. Tilden who have recently come
from Saratoga say that he has been paying less at
tention to his pedometer and more to politics for
few days Last week Democrats from all parts of
the State were in consultation with him at various
times. Almost every county in the State has been
represented at these consultations by one
OF more of the leaders of the Tilden wing
Of the party in that county, and the prospects
of the expected contest for the control of the State
Convention and the State Central Committee have
been discussed very carefully. Many prominent
Democrats friendly to Mr.. Tilden, who are not able
to visit Saratoga to consult with him in person. sent
letters. Among politicians who have been with Mr..
Tilden for a shorter longer time within the last
ten DAYS are State Superintendent of Prisons Pills.
bury, State Superintendent of Public Works Clark,
Smith NJ Weed William G. Kingsley, Congressman
Bliss and Colonel PeltOn.
ROBERT B. RoOSEvELTs COMMENTS.
Robert B. Roosevelt was asked last evening
whether there was any truth in the report that
charges had been prepared against the County
Clerk Sheriff and Register. He replied:
Eyes Evidence has been obtained of over
charges made by all of the officers mentioned which
/ have no doubt will eventually be submitted TO
Governor Robinson. This matter Of OYercharges is
no new thing but the present Register and County
Clerk have so much surpassed their predecessors
in heaping up illegal charges that feel bound to
make a protest. When Charles g. Halpne miles
OReilly) was elected Register, he called the law
yers of the city before him and said: Gentlemen,
this matter of the fees for services in my office has
Of late been in confused state. Now II you will
say what it is right to pay for each kind of service
IN the Office will direct my clerks to ask that and
no more! Well, il was in initiation times, and the
prices were put pretty high. Halpine obtained an
income of from $4,000 to $4,000 year from
it; sigel perhaps 500, 900 year; Jones, who hap
pened to be in Office at time when there was little
business aud moreover was serupuiOus, made far
less. The greatest amount that was ever made
out of the Office was taken by Register Con-
molly, the Big Judge! He squeezed the Office in
every direction and got 100000 year by ii.
There are State laws which name the price which
shall be paid the Register FOR any kind Of service,
but they are disregarded. Lawyers are aware of
these laws, but disil1ing TO get the l-will Of the
clerks in the Registers Office make no fuss when
the Oyercharges are made. If they choose,
these clerks can cause q lawyer serious delay
m getting any business done in that Office,
aud lawyer who desires TO keep clients by trans
acting their bufSless swiftly, naturally Will not