New-York tribune., 1879-01-03
TIE COUNTY OFFICERS AND THEIR SUC-
CESSORS.


The early removal of Sheriff Reilly, County
Clerk Gumbeton and Register Loew from
their Offices seems inevitable, III view OF the
charges brought and to be brought against
them. They attempt no denials of the ale
gationa already made public; in fact, they
conccde the truth Of those involving Illegal
oycrchargcS, and Justify them only by claim
ing that the abuses were practlscd by
all their predecessors. This, OF course,
is a defence which the Governor can
not consider What he must consider
is flat the Law pakCs it imperative
on hm to remove on proof OF soil
tarv violation of the law i'll cXacting Il
single dollar of Illegal fees. In the case of
Register Locw, those making the charges cite
over four hundred cases They probably
could furnish Il score for each day III the
wear in the other offices as well as III his, for
overcharging is the rule, and it is conducted
Oh a systematic, scheduled plan.
The Governor of this State has been called
upoY 10 exercise the power OF removal OF
county officer elected by the people only
once. This was III the case OF District
Attorney Britton, of Kings County. Although
there were many charges against MIR. B!1ttOn,
Governor DIX justified the removal upon the
SIMPLEST aud least serious of them ala fall
IRE to prosecute an official charged with fraud.
The offence which finally resulted in the con-
yiction and removal of Police Commissioners
Chorlck and Gardner was the failure to notify
TO Election Inspectors their disqualification for
such positions. In each of these cases the
charge was of neglect of duty; the offence
IN
able and earnest defence. The offences charged
against the present county officers are of
the most positive character and are
notorious and undisputed. The removal
of the offenders is spoken of also as
n political necessity. 1t seems to be thought
impe,ntiye that the ANTI Tammany party III
this county, in the personal interest OF Mr.
Tlden and Mr. Robinson, with view to an
other struggle for the Presidency and Gov
crnorship, should obtain control OF these power
ful Offices, whose patronage Is so large, and
whose contributions of election funds (raiSed
chiefly 10y illegal Oyerchargcs) are so liberal.
This motive is not a very high and honorable
one. but It is powerful with the average poll
ticiau. Governor Robinson can easily justify his
optic,patcd action on higher groundsr than
these.
But 10 fill the vacancies by men chosen for
ncrsonal or political reasons Is an act which
Governor Robinson can never justify 10 the
people on any grounds. There IL not the
slightest question that the abuses III these
Offices are the consequence of party demands
for money and place. A very large per cent
age of the ovcrchargcs goes directly INTO the
treasury of Tammany Hall ; aud under such
a reorganization of these three Offices as we
have reason to fear, the abuses Will continue
To be enforced for like partisan ends. The
Sheriff, County Clerk and Register all declare
that their offices cannot be conducted on the
fees fixed by law. Not while the prcS,n'
heavy party contributions 6r" - be Tl'o.
But any honest man OF ndsuesS quail
iiicati0ns and some experience can con-
dnct either Office successfully, without eX-
acting AN illegal fee of any sort, and still
have an ample income for his personal labOrs.
At The end of his term he may not be able to
retire from business permanently aud live all
the rest of his days on the interest OF what
he has accumulated in three years. hut he can
! have the respect and confidence of his fellow
| citizens.
| Have we not sports enough without bringing the