New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-07-28
THE CONTROLLERS RETIREMENT.


| In the resignation OF Controller Campbell the
city loses an officer who has endeavored to be
| faithful to the trust repcsed il him. 1t was as
unfortunate for him as for the taxpayers that,
under his administration Of the Finance De-
partment, the coupon frauds should have gone
| 80 long undetected.
The loss to the city of $150,000 from that
cause would not trouble the mind of the ordi-
nary political otiice-holder; but to MIR. Camp
bell, who is sensitive about his well-earncd
reputation, it has proved a serious blow. He
has given more time and attention TO the du-
ties of his Office than have been given
by almost any other department head
and has won the thanks of tho tax payers
by his resistance to excessive apDropri-
atoms. Because of that fact be has incurred
the hostility of the Aldermen and other small
politicians who have endeav0red to make rs
much political capital as possible out of the
Carroll embezzlcment.
But even the most bitter opponents of Mr..
Campbell have never thought OF ques-
tioning his personal honesty. lie has
fallen a victim to the bad system of pay
ing coupons which was instituted by ex-
Controller Green, the defects of which The
TRIBUNE mas before pointed out The loss of
about $50, 900 in the same way under Mr..
Kelys administration is proof enough that
something more than honesty is needed in the
Controllers Office. 1t is fortunate thing that
the Mayor will be able now to appoint Con-
troler without regard to he.wisbes of the trad
ing politicians. The Aldermen have no voice
in filling vacancy created by resignation;
hence there is no reason to believe that the
Al. % h
department is to be divided between the two
leading factions of the Democratic party.
The Office of Controller is equally important
with that of the Mayoralty, while the term is
twice ms long. The Controller should have exec
utive ability of high order and entire freedom
from political control He should be able to
familiarze himself with the details of his office,
to detect promptly jobs on the treasury to resist
demands for favOrs and to take comprehensive
views of the numerous questions affecting
the welfare of the municipality which come
before him for decision as member OF various
boards and commissions. He Las AN equal
voice with the Mayor in deciding appropria-
tions, he is member of the Aqueduct, Sinking
Fund and Assessment Commissions, aud has
responsibility in the appointment OF Bridge
Trustees, of which body hs is n member.
Moreover. it is his duty to approve all con-
tractors bonds, to sign warrants, and to direct
how the books in every department shall be
kept.
II the duty in regard to the Corporation book
keeping had been properly executed in recent
years, the Carroll frauds would have been
detected sooner, and similar losses to the city
in the Dock, the Excise and other departments
might perhaps have been prevented. OF course
the responsibility OF the Commissioners OF
Accounts in the Carroll and other frauds can
not be overlooked. 1t was their particular and
sole duty to detect such losses, and had thry
been efficient and worthy of the trust reposed
in them 10y the Mayor and Controller the cou-
pom frauds would have been detected in their
inception. While their neglect did not relieve
the Controller from responsibility, it furnishes
ground for the opinion that it would be the
right thing also for the Commissioners of Ac-
counts to resign.