Year: 1875

General Fltz John Porter Commissioner OF Public
Works, has addressed the following spicy letter to
Comptroller Green II contains an instructive review
Of the Official life Of the latter and criticism
upon his reflections the recent management Of the
Department Of Public Works


DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS,


CRY HALL, NKW YORK, Novrem5e, 1875,
Hon. ANDREW Ii. GEExN, Comptroller of the city OF
srR-On tie ID OF September YOU addressed letter
20 His Honor the Mayor rejecting upon his supposed
inatenton 10 what you pleased 10 term the waste
1ul expenditure OF the public moneys through
this Department The Mayor forwarded the letter
10 mean unnecessary attention On MS part, as you
do not detain expeotant pubhc-out dasregardng
the restraints OF Official courtesy promptly give your
Official correspondence TO the press. 70 your letter
replied September 20 and sought to answer your aega-
lions because holding an oice OF dignity and power,
you are by some people supposed TO be what purpose
10 show you not-a person whose statements
entitled to respect Ny correspondence with you and
shout you has thns far been conducted with patience
and courtesy. sincerely regret that the tone
OF your letter and the inaccuracy OF your state
ments. compel me now to palmer language than
should another have chosen. With your charac
teristic arrogant and dsrespectiul language in your
communication 10 the Mayor, common superior
officer have here nothing TO say but you mistake the
Judgment Of rejecting men IL by incorporate language
and unfounded charges you seek to make them heIeve
that all honesty has been lodged you and thsG every
body else should be suspected. You became Comp
troller when bad men had recently sacked the city
treasury and to official distinction by apparent
contrast with them. The times have changed and the
men who fill Offices over which you assume the





all things and some or them in many respects your
euperiors Ii may be well 70 consider whether you
afford to arraign them, unless your proof is
well hand attanabe, as IL other proof in which
your personal interests not small


with these remarks which are OF no special concern
10 the public perhaps, to the text OF your late
letter TO the Mayor As a contribution to literature
portion OF your letter which seems TO be intended
for history Of the parks is interesting, and some
Of may be veracious If however you consider that
20 be an equivalent for the portion OF the sum of
81 500 PAID BY you to yourself out OF the public purse
in 1868, tor engaging to write proper history Of
the parks, taxpayers may doubt your esti-
mate OF its value though 1t is all they have
had yet for the money. The official history Of the
parks from 1858 1S72-that history which is 10 be
found in the records Of the Park Department and with
which you as the ruling spirit then, have peculiar
obligation 10 be familiardoes not sustain your state
In my letter Of the goth September, asserted
that you responsible for expenses Of openings Of
and other lands TO the amount Of S 4S 1926 Is
and then gave the items as follows:-


The following the principal and park openings
made the application of Andrew H. Green Comptroller
and Treasurer Of the Central Park


Ton