New-York tribune., 1902-02-24
41s.742
6O3.5W
1S4.75s
ststement:

Thai paper was all that Mr.. Coogan was able
n extract from Mr.. Grace at that time, and,
strange 70 say II not entirely satisfactory
10 the president Of the Board Of Education. who
was IN the pursuit Of knowledge and not OF
hieroglyphics.
However" Mr.. Kenny continued, "a few
months later, Treasurer Grace submitted an
other report in response TO a subsequent demand
ny Mr.. Coogan. This statement showed that
Nj Grace had borrowed, between March 1901,
and September. 1901. from the First National
Bank OF Jersey City. the aggregate amount of
s7,274 53. In the same report Treasurer Grace
says he received from the County Collector the
sun Of 81. 426 80, which. IN his own words, was
paid 10 the bank for TO redeem loans
That 81 426 80" Mr.. Kenny said, was re-
Ceived from the State Of New-Jersey for the
purpose Of paying teachers from July 1901, to
June go 1902. the school year and Mr.. Grace
had no right except upon warrants-and there
were no warrants-to apply that money to the
payment Of the banks loans. Moreover, Mr..
Grace had no right TO contract any loan with
any bank except on the order Of the Board OF
Education or the Common Council and he never
had any such authority. little later on 1, as
counsel for the Board Of Education. demanded
from Nj Grace the itemzed statement which he
should have furnished on June 80. 1901 and re-
ceived in reply, through the town counsel. the
statement OF which this IS a copy" Here fol
iows the report:
City Hall, Harrison, n, j.,
Hon. II. T. Barrett Town Counsel
Dear Sir: Al. per your request the following Is the
coHetion q the special ecnool TAX ana me StaJe
~: isA2ol fund from January iSi' TO October 3D.
Special school tax-Appropriatlon @Os5; over
drawn. S14 "a; disbursements. s504s o.
State school neutrality-suspicious. appropriation
s o. S overdTaTn SO g. !otai SO Isl L. pisbgTse
aents-Teachers' salaries. loans returned to bank
with interest. aud coal and wood. S23 28l 10.
Yours truly. EDWARD J. GRACE, Treas.
Nov, there is another mathematical puzzle"
Mr.. Kenny went on. which I cannot see how
any one familiar with keeping public accounts
could unravel explain. 1t can be seen.
though that this statement includes only be-
tween January ! and October l. 1901. and
taialy IT IS not in compliance with the law. It
was after making this report. I think, that
Treasurer Grace said the school accounts were
5000 short which shortage. he said, was due
to deficiency which had existed for some
years or from the time that Z. F. Mcdonald
his predecessor was the town treasurer. Mr.
Mcdonald died in November. 1892 John Dwyer
Who vas engaged as an expert accountant to
make an examination OF Mr.. McDonald's
counts, made and published over his own name
The following statement December 20. 1901:
beg 10 state that upon review OF the
animation of the late Treasurer McDonald's
books. find that the town owes Mrs Z. F.
Mcdonald over 500. with interest added. Any
iatement to the effect that any deficit existed
Mr.. McDonald's books IS not a fact In
ustice TO the late treasurer 1 deem IT only my
au'y TO make this statement Of fact. Any def
III that may exist In school accounts must have
developed since the books were turned over 10
ne present treasurer. Mr.. Grace
Some time IN December last" Mr. Kenny
c9ntinued, Treasurer Grace began an action
against President Coogan TO recover $4,000, be-
-IaHse Mr. Grace alleges. Mr.. Coogan had
said that he 5000 short in his accounts
lhis suit is pending. Mr.. Coogan says
nat when the comes into court he will be
aoe 10 prove that Mr. Grace's action is simply
duff Replying TO questions made to me by
az. Coogan in relation to the power of the
Doarc Of Education. said that the law was
persfnptory that the custodian Of the school
-ha should make report to the board at the
e'a OF the school year. This Mr.. Grace has not
As. The Board of Education cannot remove
oWn treasurer for failure to do his duty
tsuks ne is appointed by the Common Council,
- 10 The wording OF the statute. the board
- = any time appoint custodian Of the
saads. who will have entire charge OF