New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-11-10
TIE CITY BIAS NOT BIS DEBTOR.
Mr. SMITH SPENT LOT or TINE TRYING TO
COLLECT A BILL BEFORE HE LEARNED
WHO OWED IT

WHO OWED IT.
An illustration Of how easy it s TO make a mis-
take in financial matters has 10 light in the
case OF man who came near allowing himself
10 bunco the city out OF $40 He acted entirely in
good faith N the matter and perfectly honest
In his strenuous and unconscious efforts TO bunco
the city treasury out OF this money. The in
question IS a wel-knowr Eas Side undertaken
whose name will not be given for obvious reasons.
but who will be called for convenisnce's sake Mr..
Smith not unimporant part OF Mr. Smiths
business Is 20 let out campchairs on occasions
when an unusual number OF people expected to
congregate for a special celebration. One OF these
special celebrations which a supply OF the IN
dertakers camp chairs was called for so Mr.. Smith
saws was on June 10. 1894. when the schoolship
8. Mary's wanted extra number OF seats for
the commencement exercises. NJ. Smith declares
that he furnished the chairs and got them back in
good condition. He also sent in his bill for so
for the use OF the chairs and got tina; back. also
in good condition, the school authorities disclaim-
ing all knowledge Of the Indebtedness and refusing
10 pay the bill.
Miles NJ O'Brlen was then the chairman Of the
BOARD OF Education's Committee on the School
shin and in due Of time he received
gentle reminder that the schoolship had received
the loan OF these chairs and that they had not
been paid for. Mr. o Bren admitted that the chairs
undoubtedly were OF excellent quality and il
fully worth the sum asked for for any collective
body to have the pleasure o, sitting those denti
cal chairs for an hour so, but he could find no
record authorizing him TO pay the bill. he sub
nit.ed TO the dunning and bore it smilinsly
Several other members OF the Board of Educa-
ton were subjected TO the opportunities OF Mr..
smith but they also bore it with fortitude adj
roitting the bill ought 10 be paid, and said many
wise things about the sou'iess character OF cor
poratiOns generally
FINALLY when the Board Of Education
into mower AIr Smith began his opportunities with
renewed hope in view OF the fact that he had
material 20 work upon and unmindful Of the fact
IN, he already had expended $50 worth OF
time in seeking payment for his bill. He first be-
can upon Mayor Strong The Mayor IL an expert
=, seots and has a warm spot In his heart for
"ex,ra" comfortable campstCols He believes ia
encouraging their introduction all public occa
,ns and SO he calamity championed the cause Of
Nr smith and him with a kind note to Rob-
-, Naclav the president OF the Board Of Educa-
,,op requesting him 10 look into the matter with
ali nossible dispatch and to pay the long deferred
hu Of his earliest convenience Mr.. Macay also
"a something OF connoisseur on seats. occupying
ssversl Of the comfortable chairs In the city
O. his capacity as president OF number OF large
ia ne But In spite OF his enthusiasm for
sts Ir Macay went about investigating the claim
for these pa The result Vas tina; il was shown
ne an June TO- 1885, the good schoolship 81. Mary
Una, ma on her annual cruise the other side Of the
was on Ocean somewhere of the coast or Spain
I'd was ignorant Of campstools and undertakers
700 further investigation revealed the interesting
n, ',hst these particular campstools, which Tor
over twelvemonih haa ssSe f so1ie % ana ohr
SS,'th ofncia.s had never been used on the ~;
hieh ON hni had been used and highly appreciated
Mary pI ths old ship OF the line New Ria mpshiFe
orphiv ON some occasion which the Naval he.
peTves can tell more about man any othsr poay Oh
men ,,rg vent 20 his feelings in language more
emZatic than elegant