New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-17
KOHLER CHARGES GRAFT.
ATTACKS Estimate Board for Raising
SoIdrg of Judges.

Up Kohler secretary OF Justice Gaynor Of
the Supreme Court Brooklyn last evening sent
a letter to Mayor Low. Controller Grout ana
other members Of the Board OF Estimate regard
ing the raising. by resolution o. the board, OF
the salary CT each Of the county judges OF
Kings County AZ their request from $1,000 TO
S125O0 q year He notified to them that unless
-nis resolution was rescinded he would apply
rs n taxpayer 70 the Supreme Court for an order
pertaining the payment by the city officials Of
shis Increased compensation. as the board had
not and could not have. without Constitu-
tional amendment any authority 10 vote this
increase OF salary.
Mr. Kohler added that, according to his views.
about $4,000 Of the citys money derived from
the taxpayers was handed over to public off,
oisls who had no night 20 II under the States
constitution. The letter follows:
By ezaiHatop to-day OF ne en- minutes q ,s q
minutes have not yet been p1PLished n ahe 10y
ne eSv II me each OF me two County Judges Of
she County OF Kings raised. at their .eauesL
i iss s re-" k 70 S' s Sas 70 cali your at
tenuon 70 the fact that your board has not. ana
cannot have. without a constitutional anendnlenl
any authority for voting this increase OF sslsry
..f+,-tf,- - MS S-sre which bv vcur oarhs OF
once each OF YOU and these two judges as We'll
visions concerning county judges, their duties and
Every county Judge shall perform such. duties
as nav be required by Law, His salary shall be
established by law. payable out Of The county
treasury. TIE compensation OF any county Judge
shall not be increased CT diminished during ms
Of Office" -
pensation OF these judges during their terms
OF Office" 8 thing clearly prohibited by the consul
sutton. -. q.
hereby notify you that unless this resolution OF
.vour board is rescindeC. the Controller OF Inc
itv refuses pay the said increases. sfal appiy
taxpayer. the Supreme Court OF this STATE
sor ar order restraining the payment ~ the city
officials OF this increased compensation TO these
5udEes and shall also ask the court Tor judgment
that the amount already paid 10 them under me
<sid resolution be returned 10 the city treasury.
In my opinion as a lawyer and taxpayer, about
$4,000 is taken each year from the pockets OF the
saslpayers Of this great city and handed over 10
public officials who have. under our CONSTITUTION
no right whatever 10 d. by Just such resolutions as
shis one passed by your board The payment OF
this vast sum annually from our city treasury IS
only absolutely prohibited by the CONSTITUTION
Of this state. but ID constitutes a RICHNESS ana
most wicked waste 81 city funds that might other
wise be applied 10 providing school room for the
children Of city. VINO now, for lack OF accom-
rnodations. are denied the advantage OF common
school education Il Is high time. IN my humble
.,nirou fhsf this sort Of robbery 81 the taxpayers
through alleged forms OF law. this distribution Of
.'graff" taken from the city treasury, be stopped
and that our public officials either do the work
which they elected TO DO at the stipulated
price between them and the people or that they
step down and out and allow those who are willing
20 abide by their contracts and their oaths OF ONCE
- a