The evening world., 1890-03-01
BuCoIiC Statesmen Look
ing Into Tamma-
ny's Methods.
MAYOR GRANT ON THE STAND.
The Ex-City Chamberlain Very
Angry at The World"

Senator Fassett's Committee to investi-
gate the city of New York began its in
quest this morning in the DON of Part
ii. of the Superior Court. There were
present all the members of the Commit
tee.
Mr.. / tns opened fire by presenting to
the Committee a summary of special leg
islation affecting cities passed during the
last ten years. There are l. 2s4 such acts,
of which 800 affect New York City alone.
Mayor Grant was the first witness
called. In answer to Senator Hendricks,
His Honor made a general statement OF
the functions of the different departments
of the city government, calling part:cu-
lar attention to the fact that the city or
dinances had not been revised or codlied
since 1880.
The first question asked the Mayor was
concerning that part of his message to
the Board of Aldermen where he said that
many OF the departments were in o con-
fused condition. He alluded, he said,
to the Dock'D Department.
Mayor Grant was asked who constituted
the Board of Estimate and Apportlon-
ment, and he told their names to the
Committee.
What is the function of this Board ?"
To make appropriations"
What do you know about the general
fund 7" The Mayor thought the Comp
troller knew more about it than he did.
A long discussion ensued over the DIFF
ference between the sinking fund and the
general fund, ending in the Mayor saying
the Comptroller had full charge of these
different funds.
Is there any general officer in this city
whose business it il to look after the rev.
enues which go into the general fund 7"
NO"
/ "Then it would look as though such an
Officer was necessary in order to collect
all these re enues to insure a reduction of
the debit"
"Yes.n
The statements in your message OF
1889 in regsrd to the amount of the funded
debt are true. are they notP"
II presume 80. for | received them
from the Comptroller. The sole source
Comptroller" said the Mayor. 1.-The
law says | shall make a statement of the
nance of the city and / rely ON the
Comptroller for the details"
o are not an expert accountant are
you, MIR. Mayor. and Are therefore I'M
able TO obtain your financial statement
from the Comptroller's books ~ asked
Corporation Counsel Clark.
ant"
Why did you appoint Mr.. Clark Cor
poTation CounselSn
Because he was my counsel during
my term as Sheriff. He saw me safely
through 1893 suits, aud thought what was
good enough for me was good enough for
the city"
BY Mr.. Iyins-What do you think of
the proposition to abolish the Chamber
lain's officer
do not think well of it."
"Don't you think the Office should be
elective ..7.".- ~-
mo"
Mr.. WINS here happened to remember
that he Was ouce City Chamberlain and
that his administration OF the Office had
been severely criticised by Inc WoRLD.
He proceeded TO work himself into a
passion n heaped epithet upon eplthet
IA his Characterization of this journal and
demanded that the editor of 1HE WORLD
be called a. a witness to tell Just what
wrong be OWNS had been guilty OF.
Asked If DO did not bslisye thR the
Corporation Counsel should be elected by
the people, the Mayor said he was per
feetIJAw well satisfied with the present stu
alton OF affairs in the Lag Department.
AS 10 the proposed election of other
heals D. departments, tue Ma or said that
lie would not care to discus that ques-
tlon.
The Mayors message or stTeet-eleaning
Mas neat touched on, and the Mayor de-
elaEed that he thinks in some sections
tho streets are IN better Condition than
thsy were when be wrote the message and