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New York State Comptroller's Office Documents Relating to Charges Against Louis F. Haffen, Borough President of the Bronx

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Overview of the Records

Administrative History

Twenty-two charges were brought against Louis F. Haffen, alleging "incompetence, maladministration and misconduct in office and serious waste of public funds." A New York City Borough President was removable by the Governor upon charges, pursuant to Chap. 9, Title 1 of the 1901 Charter of the City of New York (L. 1901, Ch. 466).

Scope and Content Note

This fragmentary series consists of documents submitted to Governor Charles Evans Hughes in the matter of charges brought against Louis F. Haffen, Borough President of the Bronx, by the Commissioners of Accounts of New York City, by order of Mayor George B. McClellan. Printed documents found in this series include copies of the charges against Haffen; a "Report on a Special Examination of the Documents and Methods of the Office of the President of the Borough of the Bronx," prepared by the Commissioners of Accounts and signed by them; and the signed answer of Haffen in the proceedings before the Governor and the special commissioner appointed by the Governor to examine witnesses and take testimony in the matter.

Each of these printed documents contains many exhibits of documents and or testimony relating to the charges. Also found in this series are Haffen's admission of service of the notice; summons and copy of charges brought against him; copies of the Governor's opinion and his order removing Haffen from office; and correspondence concerning the proceedings.

In addition, the series contains original incoming letters and telegrams and copies of outgoing letters concerning the proceedings themselves. Some correspondence expresses support for or opposition to Haffen's conduct in office. The original charges against Haffen numbered twenty-two, and presumably, there were exhibits for the petitioner and the respondent for each of the charges. However, this series contains exhibits only for Charge XIV, "inefficient subordinates." The documents date from 1902-1904 and include letters, notes, contracts, and other documents relating to the construction of public works in the Borough of the Bronx. Many of the letters are entered as exhibits for the petitioner to testify as to the incompetence and/or inebriety of men employed in those works. Respondent's exhibit No. 377 is an album of photographs depicting private and public buildings and other works constructed in the Bronx from plans by and under supervision of architect Michael J. Garvin, later appointed to office by Haffen. The photographs are not labeled, but many can be identified by examining street and store signs clearly readable in the prints.

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