The sun., 1891-04-02
CAMPBELL. 7. Us. 10 PER CENT
THIS NEW FORK CLAIM BEFORE CON-
GRESS GETTING INTERESTING.

Corporation Counsel Clark Lirs The Car
taia On . Psnors1a OF the finance De-
partnent-The CoHptroiler Rejosas.
Corporation Counsel Clark added an inter-
esting chapter yesterday to the controversy
over the attempt to get back from the United
BtAtes the money advanced By the city In 1861
for the prosecution Of tho war Mr.. Clark says:
This scheme for the employment OF legis.
lative agent blossomed in the spring OF 1890.
It is said that II was rolled into shape By q
legislative lawyer then temporarily out Of q
Job. resolution was passed by the Board OF
Aldermen on April 8. 1890. by which authority
was attempted TO be siven to the Comptroller
to make such arr nEements and terms for the
collection Of the money due as he, the Comp.
troller. might deem advantageous.
"On the 14th Of April received from that
gentleman communication in which he asked
mo to advise him whether he had the power
under this resolution to make arrangements
and allow percentage for services In secur.
ing from the Government the amount due. I
answered that communication by advising the
Comptroller that by the Consolidation act no
officer OF any department should have or en-.
ploy any attorney or counsel, but that 1t was
the duty OF the Law Department to furnish
any legal assistance that might be necessary.
"On June the true character OF the scheme
-
the Comptroller In which he suggested that
Judge Campbell 1T. J.h" who was prominent
In presentation and attempted collection Of the
claim whom first aeitated. be employed at fee
entirely contingent upon his success. This fee I
afterward learned was to be 10 Der cent? other
words. about t220.OO0. answered that com.
munication By advising tho Comptroller that
It was my judgment that tile city Of New York
must look to the peoples Representatives in
Congress to procure for It the return Of the
amount due. and that It would be positively
improper and probably illegal for city officer
paid him for sesompl ishins the purpose you
letter TO The Mayor said thai he sonierfed ~ Win h
% t es .ds e S
ssss. aa bssn as
70 soss. ea@ ASoSs S n' r.t Hss' sHsts
that the, Hon. John ]. Adams BE- employed t.
seven and hall per cent. of. such sum as he
might collect; and that ne. the the Comptrol'er,
Is & s'au''
cept oi this letter and told him that f had 9 not not
si sush
middle Of March was informed that the
whether he Obtained my acsuiescence yf'aos Or not
In order to protect the city treasury ! felt It
my duty to prepare resolution repeating the
resolution under which the Comptroller was
templatsd to make could be executed Such e
9 S"s anR p Hssssd SS hs
shortly alter The receipt oi Ii. letter from
the Comptroller to the Mayor under date Of
March 25. In which the former gentleman says
MIR. Adams seven and one-half per cent. OF the
amount collected. l had occasion to 20 to the
Finance Department asked the Comptroller
city and Mr.. Adams. He demurred: but whom
l insisted he admitted that there was no writ
ten CONTRACT. but that there was verbal
largo down.toWn monsye institutions aH making Ia i
a verbal contract with an agent. by which
q liability might be imposed upoq his corpora
existing record whatever as to what The duties
Of the agent we're to consist Of and no period
fixed for the termination Q; the contractl Ny
mse Witch aahere h'
est oa ss sa p hs s!y inter-
the fact that he differed from the ofHciaIs who
opposed him during the last political cam-
CLARK told. me himself" said tho Comp
troller. that he would agree to the appoint
msp q ASa% Il
icize my agreement to pay Adams Is per cent
when hs himself allowed Burton n. Harrison
10 per cent On certain back
Congressman should do this work sounds well.
but It Is got In accord with my experience OF
bis dcpsrtment. which has frequently com.
for com Det0nt legal advice"