New-York tribune., 1884-10-25
REFUTING IDLE ACCUSATIONS.
-ATEMENTs THAT GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS MADE

FALSE CHARGES DIsPROvED.
statement was published yesterday IN certain
Democratic and Dependent journals, on the author
ity of J. J. Barker. former clerk in the Office of
the First Controller of the Treasury. Barker de-
car that false charges for service were made by
several United states officials in different cities,
and allowed by the Controller, who, he is kind
enough to say, is honest, but lacking IN courage;
He mentions by name United States Marshal Joel
A. Shields, of this city,. Erhardt, he, says. paid
special deputy marshals for more work than the
law required of them, and Shields he declares, put
in an illegal bill for swearlug-in marshals in this
city in 1850. United States Marshal Erhardt was
busy yesterday but made the following statements
"The statements contained in j. j. Barker's let
ter addressed to the President of the United States
are in every respect singnlarly untrue as far as
regards my Office, and are evidently written with
an imperfect knowledge OF the actual facts. Ihe
first mistake is in describing my district the
Eastern instead of the Southern District of New
York. In the next place II is asserted that pre-
scntcd vouchers showing that / had paid super,
visors of the election of $50, whereas dsbursed
no money ut all to supervisors of that year.
With regard to the law which governs the appoint
at Congressional elections the statute saws: And
there shall be allowed and paid to each supervisor
of election and each special deputy marshal who IS
appointed and performs his duty under the pre-
ce1ing provisions, compensation at the rate of 50
per day for each day he is actually on duty, not OK
cecding ten davs.' The actual days of service per-
formed by special deputy marshals in 1850 did not
as it happens exceed five days-four registration
days and one election day, beng practically ,hve
representing the payment OF 50 per day OF actual
service to special deputy marshals OF 1850 were
each duly sworn to and accompanied by proper
identification. In paying these CLAIMS TO the
marshals merely acted as disbursing officer under
instructions from the Attorney-Genefal ana ON ac-
counts that were audited ny thc Audlior vi INC
Colonel Erhardt was not appointed marshal until
1888, receiving the office from President Arthur,
and succeeding Marshal Knox, who was appointed
by President Garfield. Colonel Erhardt also stated
that he never paid ont money, even the smallest
amount, except by checks drawn on the Treasury
Department.
Commissioner Shields, when asked about Baiker's
statement Yesterday, said "lhe Government Ie-
auires the men ia make oath TO their vouchers for
services performed. ! administered tho oaihs per
sunaly. The amount charged by me foe the service
IL authorized by law and the same was allowed me
by the accounting officer az Washington. Inc Ices
are not chargeahc to- the benehcaries. The
charges for service cover Il petlod of years, from
1850 10 lSSil,"
Mr. Shields has heen United states Commissioner
since President Peices Administration, thirty
years age
MIR. HOPKINS EXAMINES TllE ACCOUNTS
ttnaier Ilorkipp of the Madison Avenue tonafrs
eational Church, was occupied all day Yesterday Ia
tho onee uf Deacon Foster examining the atrnnnts
Of Mr., seym9nh ,he church ,'easoigf " lhe ac'
counts arc all iighi,' hc sad to reporter hnd coh'
tnuedl what we wanted to ascertain waa how
they have boon kopl,'
"iiayo you found outf"
"Wel va have found good many curious
things A great many pews that were reported 10
be- rented, and which WE supposed were rented,
have never been paid for, They were all duly repre-
scented in the church meetings by those who had no
right TO vote. That was the way We were out
numbered
:" Is the Mutual Life Insurance Company likely to
fOrecOse it's mortgage on the propertyY"
" don't think there is any danger of that. We
prepared to take the church, pay up the interest
on it, give it a new pastor and place 1t i'll more
prosperous condition than II ever has been. What
we want is the property. We represent the Con-
gregatonal membership of the church. We don't
want Methodist minister, and we don't want our
property to 90 over to another denomination i
think they beginning to understand that.
Seymour Breen, Cooley are all MethOdists, and |
believe they are getting tired of the struggle We
intend to hold to 1t until we get what belongs
IN ue