New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-08-30
THE GOVERNOR,S OPINION
IYnds That Hafen abused His Pub
Lic Trust.

missing some Of the charges made against Louis T.
5sfen President q. the Borough of The Bronx
rnds he greatly abused his discretionary power
failing 10 enforce more strinsenuy the TINE
clauses OF contracts Cor public improvements that
public funds IN his department were wasted by
,oadins the pay rolls that there was political job
berry IA the matter OF the Bronx Borough Court
house; that ne was interested in the Improvement
of The clason's Point road. with view TO bene-
,iitins himself an6 his associates who had holdings
IA the South View Land and Improvement Com
},sny and that borough president end chairman
az the local board OF Morrisania, Hafen recon-
snenoed tho acquisition by the city OF certain
property ST Hunts Point the Esst River, for use
as . pubic bathing place. which was utterly IN
suitable for the purpose
Governor Hughes in his opinion says the action OF
the borough president in the matter of the Clasons
Point road cannot be too strongly condemned The
acquisition by the city of the property al Hunts
Point the Governor describes as highly discred-
stable affair"
The Governors opinion IN full follows
E,oui. II. Baffen has been President OF the Bor-
S.st reeecied in November 1895 and his present
ssrm viii expire on December 81 1909 The pres;
10 mo in November, 1905, by the Commissioners OF
Accounts Of the city az New York pnrsnsnt 70 the
these commissioners Of the administration of the
Mn Hafren spnesred and fled his answer deny
,ng the truth OF the charges Therenpon, on De
ssrlane. Of tho city OF New York. commissioner
AZ the material facts deemed TO be established. to-
xcther with his conclusions.
with their respective counsel appeared before the
.ommissionsr and submitted their proofs The
volunlnols testimony and documentary evidence
hnemiitea Ihs eonassloeer mas mace ;n, fSs
sHd STATING his conclusion that the respondent hsS
linn 70 removal from office. rpon the receipt 81
she report, the Borough President and the pet
sioners were heard before me and both have pre-
scented briefs
>, fl " except as 70 the wood block speeIhcs-
sionl, (specification al. VI. VIlI, XVII, XVIII,
stated in his report adopt this recon'mendstion.
and these chsrses are dismissed accordingly ] am
wood block pavement under Charges " and Y
s'lusion fhst he RESPONDENT sbouid be removed
srom Office and the charges relating 10 that matter
{ With respect TO other charges the following fact.
Hnust he deemed 10 be established
ABUSED DISCRETIONARY POWER.
That The Borough President has greatly abused
slis discretionary failing 10 enforce more
Sc improvements ana that the time statements in
3lis cerilucstes 70 the Finance department were
That the public funds have been wasted by load
S.ng inc payrolIs of ms department with a num-
ssber Of employees much greater man me pubic
work has required tChsrses AZ, X and AD;
spf The Bronx Borough Courthouse: that 10 oblse
= poltical TREND granite from quarry in which
without the necessary resources, or appropriate
ssspeeiros aons-in a prominent manner indicating
snite from tis source contributes h in IsTse psT
&C the delay in the construction OF the building
mai he has appointed and continued as archl-
pu6lc buildings. one Who IS Without adequate pro
Sesslonsl qnalncations for such important work.
q politician, and in respect TO these public build
snss 10 be- as petitioners claim. sqbstantialy
snneee. sne einIloyed others 10 supply the neces-
THAT The borough Presdeat was d Interested in
The Sound View Land and Improvement Company.
saasonls Point.lsoad was induced by his desire TO
holdings IN this company which mad scou,red .
tract OF forty-one acres with a frontage of $500
Improvement Charge NYJ
That, as Borough President and chairman of the
Loead BOARD or MorTisania, Mr. Hanen recommend
eq ne acquisition by the city Of certain property
sne ior me purpose This wasteful and uneon
Ms ae result o. The taken on
important degree TO his official action and to his
orreasl naglecL lcharse AkL9
-1Seroush President had been guilty OF misconduct
proofs submitted with respect 10 Ssrse pO, Mi
'AN ana AEl They" as the commissioner saws
personal misconduct. and II any of them has been
s.early proved, a proper case for removal win be
Witt this opinion a. 10 the gravity of each OF
As 70 one Of ssese e cbasss agree
seenth-l DO not ind that Il has been proved as
ssonatsaei Of The Borongh President in Designating
ihe specifications for the Courthouse in order 10
.n,se political friend. and without proper in-
ENC securing i promptly in suitable condition for
ac been proved e e t srss ss pfresestea has
shat the specification Restricted competition
- ok did not restrict eompeiition That i' IS
-. VII. ss .SIssnes The point Of proof
ssrs. and several bid uPon other GRANTEES The
soNest and successful bidder chose Bucks Barbor
of this granite in the specifications (nder the con-
s,a 80 ssowi., thus permitting it's selection by
sonseouences proved rnieht properly have been he
k.i2ect Of ciesrly stated charge hut can hardly
which has been served upon the respondent and
possible 70 give 10 Tho present asPre consT1n
sicn which would square 81 with the proof ID would
rscv s Of The s IN 10 h s,e% OF te
sns should not In my judgement. resort 10 s.
cLAsoNs POINT ROAD.
casEgs Nv presents 8 very. serious matter. and
Point Road Was earnestly desired by PROPERTY own
srs IN The vicinity and thar il has resulted in a
but TIE point Of the charge is that the oficial
slre 70 benefit himself and his ASSOCIATES through
rev interest n realty eomaany u this be- true
he no hesitation IN holding public oficer who
PccunlaEy advantage 10 be unworthy Of his public
The testimony Of the Borough President hs,ors
she Commissioners Of Accounts is utterly irreeonr
ciiable With the proved facts The fact that lie
his later statements / have esrefuiiy exssainss
The evidence. oral snd documentary, which has
unnecessary 20 review f.. II has been snticentl.,
am enI,r.IS ssyiss - IN, me 9oinnssloners report
~ss interested In the Sound View Land and I'm,
er, And whether not the. eonsiruetioT 81 tn
,S mn ~ fasoe.ea as actually premature