New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-03-17
THE PROPOSED INVESTIGATIONS.

OPINIONS OF A NUMBER OF OFFICIALS.
WHAT THE MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS COLEMAN
FRENCH AND MATTHEWS, AND OTHERS SAY
ABOUT THE ACTION OF THE SENATE
The proposed Senate investigation into the
management Of the Public Works ana tue PONCE depart
ments of this city aroused much interest among the
politicians IL the general belief that the hNessa
tions will be extended to other Departments although
the inquiry made last year into the methods of the Dock
Department and the Quarantine Commission and other
matters have apparently resulted In no practical good
Mayor Grace said yesterday in answer to inquiries on
the coming investigations 81 presume other De
parments will also be investigated know OF
no reason why any public officer should
object to the closest scrutiny of his work As for the ex
pendures of the Department Of Public Works they are
all authorized by the Board of Estimate and Apporton
ment was favor Of a still larger expenditure, as
wanted Ffthave. rcpaved but could not get my asso-
ciaies to agree it. noticed that Mr. Thompson was
letting good many contracts at less than 1loOo WIFI
out receiving bids and for him and asked about
it, lie told me that the Controller had been consulted
and advised it, That satisfactory to me As to the
Street Cleaning Department, was opposed to the con
tracts made by Commissioners, but ho insisted upon
them Is better for the city"
Commissioner Coleman, Of the Street Cleaning Depart
ment was spoken to regarding the remarks made by
Senator Grady rs TO the management OF his Depart
ment am sure" said Mr.. Coleman, " that am
ready to be investigated any time. suppose the fall
Of politicians to my Department for mo mas lea 10
this talk. without mentioning names / viii say that
some persons prominent in cOndemning ms department
al Albany were here long ago asking for certain APP
poinmens and for the privilege Of naming consider
able proportion of the employees Of the Department
refused TO accede to any demand and they went ont
of that door I'm no amiable mood Immediately after
ward comes this talk OF an investigation at Albany"
90 Have you removed many of the old employees OF the
Department when II was under police controls :"
xvaIiy rpt9
feminist until the contracts made. Many OF them
were then taken into the employ Of the contractors
Above Foureenth-s four ont OF six were retained
have beset by politicians for places but intend to
the Department according to law and my own
ideas I believe about onethird OF the employees now
are Republicans little more than Onethird are Tam
many Democrats, and the remainder County Demo
Gratis"
81 Has Mayor Grace asked for any appointmentsl"
"Hc asked me- If convenient. TO appoint Mr.. Green
Acting Superntendent-the place he now holds. mat
was the only place he asked for"
Contractor Walton who met at the door, was
asked what he thought Of the Investigation "There Is
general opinion" he said "among certain persons that
there is some 'divvy in these contracts. Now my
contract cost in expenses $4,000 in February and
l received $1,000. want to know where the uNNy
comes in OF that Z"
Controller Campbell said that no had approved Com
missioner Thompson's in letting many small
contracts to Mr.. Cunningham for the reason that he
found Nr Cuunin CHAM an honest and efficient cOnrac-
tor
President French of the Board of Police when asked
what he thought about the proposed investigations SAID
1--WE court Investigation, as have nothing to be
afraid Of I suppose the sole object OF the pre-
amble and resolution offered by Senator fiz-
gerald was to throw mud upon this Department
in order to Offset the attack by the Tammany
Senators upon the Department of Public Works When
an attack was made Of the most influential men
IN III Democratic ranks this city and against the De
artment which affords more patronage than any other
il was determined to strike back. don't believe that
Fitzgerald had any idea tat the Things sileu III
the preamble to his resolution He might have
had instructions from the Mayor to make an
Size to when the Police Commissioners we've
subjected before the MAYOR, NTn dnnt tn[
we have anything TO fear from an investigation WIN
regard to the assertion that applicants for appointment
on the and for promotion therein are subjected 10
an Infamous taN upon the payment OF WHICH, ana hot
upon merit, the said appointments or promotions are
lie challenge proof OF such statement rom
senator Fitzgerald or any DINER man VINO o
chooses to maES HAT b,cE Rso fs rs extore5
by members OF tins department from the RToprcGo Ol
polcy shops gambling houses or DINER Illegal places
/ can speak only from my own knowledge however
know that vague charges OF G1lrupto l"oG ",,n mn
from time time against police captains ana otnef ON
GERS but has come 10 the Commissioners WIN any
proof OF such cnaTges We nave sSlel W ,
inspectors and Captains TO prevent gauDng ana olheI
a + op TO suc practices. do know tnd 20 Tar "a me
Board OF Police is concerned, no amounts that may De
pockets of high police officials. III any person VIII come
forward with proof that an officer Of this Department
has ha.n 40 reuiss in bis duty, the Commissioners VIII
be clad to vote for tnat officers dismissal
Commissioner Matthews, who IL IA Democrat, Dut VINO
pesses not to he allied strongly with either OF me aC
lions Of the party reiterated most OF Wha MT freeI
had said regarding the appointment OF pOhoemeh sDh
the charges OF blackna lie said that be had even EN-
Iloycd lis own clerk in the attempt 10 procure
evidence agains, policy shops and gambling houses;
So far his KNOWLEDGE went money had been Oneeu
to received by the Police COmnis siOncrs Tor me APP
pOiutment detamcut transfer Of pOhcement IN con
clusiOn Mr., Matthews said do not Know Oh any Just-
nraIIon which MIR. FITZGERALD could have had for the
statements in this preamble and he Ough 10 have been
ashamed of making such allegations without proof We
Challenge Mr. FITZGERALD or any other member OF the
senate 10 the fullest investigation of this Department.
ruE u ICLELl RANK 10 RE&EME.