Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1884-09-10
REFORM IN THE PUBLIC OFFICES.

Among his first measures of reform in
the public offices of the city of Buffalo.
was his veto of a claim of certain officers
for the payment of extra compensation
for services, while the charter forbade extra
compensation. This was practical step.
and one taken in defiance of usage and in
defiance of many of his own party asso-
ciates. 1t was one of those measures
which men, who seek votes would have
allowed to pass unquestioned; but he saw
only his duty to the public and promptly
vetoed the claim, using the following
words:
by the terms of the resolution itself il ap.
fairly embraced I'm the official duties of the per-
sons performing them To examine the books
and to restore order to the records OF the office
was, as II seems to me, peculiar business of the
clai mants.
IF the work could not be done in the regular
dlscharge or their duties, additional clerks
might have been employed but they having been
elected TO do the work themselves they must
now be regarded as standing in the attitude OF
Torrance Of duties which really pertained TO the
business OF their offices or positions.
, However meritorious these claims may be-
ted by law. cannot therefore, assent TO their
Another veto which was almost certain
to lose him votes and support, and which
has even been brought up against him in
this campaign, shows his Spartan sense
and obedience to duty. How many mayors
in our large cities would have disapproved
Of the resolutions given belowY But yet,
who can doubt after reading Mayor Cleve-
and's reasons for disproving them, the
business and rightfulness of his views.
The best evidence that his action was per-
fectly disinterested and for the benefit of
he public, regardless of his own welfare.
IS the fact that although he returned the
resolutions, which provided for taking
money from the public treasury, yet he
promptly headed a subscription list with
! large amount, and within a very short
lime the citizens of the city raised more
han the needed amount by individual
Inscription. The following is full text
# his message to the Council of the city
If Buffalo.
BUFFALO, May 8, 1882.
AT the last session of your honorable body n
esolution was adopted directing the CITY clerk
Q draw Y, a warrant for five hundred dollars in
ayor or the secretary of the Firemen's Bene.
'oent Association. '"o
This action is not only clearly unauthorized. !
ut u Is distinctly prohibited by the following :
lause or the State Constitution: {
., no county, city, town or village shall here
tter give any money or property, or loan lis
money or credit to, or In aid of any Individual {
ssociation or corporation, or become directlv
T indirectly the owner of stock I'm or bonds OF :
ny association or. corporation nor shall anv Z
uch county, city, town or village be allowed To
lcur any Indebtedness except for county. CITY
own or village purpose" '' 0'''
AT the same meeting Of your honorable
ody the following resolution was passed: b
That the CITY Clerk be and is hereby directed
} draw a warrant on the 9TH of July fund FOR n
We hundred dollars to the order Of j. s. I'd. 7
ards, chairman of the Decoration Day Com
littee OF the Grand Army Of the Republic. for u
re purpose OF defrayng the expenses attending d.
le proper observance Of Decoration day" n
nave taxed my ingenuity to discover way n
ave been unable to do so b