The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-06-23
THE TENTH AVENUE SEWER.
OF charges preferred by Mr.
Craven against the Common councii-Thc
Testimony taken before the Committee.
From cur own reporter
Fornrn nAy-SArInnlY. IrNr 10.

chair ana Aldermen bilsNy ald BoySc the lnY estl-
cation resumed.
A message was received from Alderman Denmnn
stating that he prevented by indisposition from
attending. but he wished the examination to pro.
coed Mr.. Craven did not wish to press il in hi
absence, but his counsel, Mr.. Iillou lad no objec
ton.
The CHAIRMAN then said there was a passage in
the published letter referring to other matters not
disclosed, which he thought would open the door to
more extended inquiry into al matters having any
bearing on the subject under Investigation
Dir. WILLARD, counsel for Mr. Craven. thought
they could not travel properly beyond the question
referred.
Mr. TrrloU asked 10 see tho resolution for refer.
enoe, which he supposed would determine the point
The CHAIRMAN said Il was appended to a paper
containing all the charges, and the language was.
that il be referred, &c, 50 that he conceived it
covered the whole subject.
Nr. WILLARD said they had no wish 10 withhold
anything that could afford any information 10 the
committee or Common Council Charges OF a most
startling character had been made and were no daily
made through the public prints and otherwise; and
y was incumbent on every member Of the Board who
wished to uphold his own integrity. TO search out
the truth and let the blame fall where ii Justly be-
longed There was manner, however, Of doing
tins TO which he desired TO call attention. The
Grand Jury sat from month 10 month for the pur-
pose of investigating crime and all charges particu-
larry such as affected the public and il was fitting
this matter should he investigated there as this
committee could not act finally or conclusiyely in
IN.
bers of the Board their decision, however honestly
arrived at. would not receive the weight which the
Judgment of the other disiuterested tribunal would
the duty cthe Recorder, who appeared as coun
sci Tor one OF the parties 70 submit such things when
they came to his knowledge. 10 that Grand Jury
and he though it might be left to those who were
armed with the power. to act as might be necessary
MIR TILLou did not suppose il would branch out
into a discussion of this kind; but he would saw it
was I ne abstract duty Of the Common Council to
investigate charges alleged against them or any of
them, when they presented themselves in a tanri-
ole form, ana not as mere rumor. 1t was for the
committee to judge and put construction on the
order OF reference: but il might be well to Judge
nnder that reference other branches of tho subject
tie appeared simply as the friend or counsel Of Mr.
lehman, and had desired TO confne himself hepar
euar transaction; but charges spread in ali d.
rections, and il was due to the public due to the
city, due to all the members and the Common Coun-
GIL, when they were presented in the name of
and by gentleman who could be brought
forward, to search out and ascertain whether they
were true false IF true. let the culprits be
brought to justice; If false let the dsluson be dis
sipated by the PRONUNCIATION of the truth. With
regard to the observations TO the Grand jury he
(the Recorder) in his official capacity always did
and would continue to admouish them as Ia their
duty to inquire into any NAL practices of public Off
GERS; but these general Instructions did not furnish
them with the means of nquirng into particular
cases: and it was to be remembered that their du-
ties were very various, and their time short When
they had got through the prison cases their term
was nearly at an end, and they had little time to
Investigate such a nlatter. He differed from the
gentleman to the weight that the decision of this
committee would have. They were deeply interest
ed in the question, and If there was one corrupt
member, ana the body showed determination to
purify itself, he thought their decision would have
great weight. He then alluded to the all mpor-
tant position held by the Common Council of New
York, legislating for six hundred thousand people.
which rendered. highly desirable to ascertain the
truth Of these charges and for that purpose to 20
INTO all the inquiry which came egitmatey within
the scope OF the reference.
The CHAIRMAN, in connection with charges made
against the Common Council, alluded to a very out
rageous and scuilous attack in that day National
Democrat
Aid. BoycE thought they were travelling widely
ont Of their province. Their duty was to inquire
whether this charge was true or false and to make
report upon it--that was all.
The CHAIRMAN was disposed TO give a much lat-
tude as he could, and there were several charges in
tolved.
Mr. CRAVEN did not wish to 60 into any personal
matter in the absence Of Mr.. nenman, and wond
introduce engineer who would follow mp Mr..
Morse's testimony.
Mr.. J. W. p. LEWIS was then sworn, and stated
that he had been, ever since ISIS, engaged civil
engineer and architect various public works: had
had some considerable experience in hydraulic ma
sonry-laying foundations under water.
Q.-Nhat are your views with regard to laying
masonry IN frosty weather, generally
Alt is entirely unadmiss.ble; no sensible man
would do it, who expected to do his work well.
Q.-How late have you known such work done in
this latitude
A-The latest season have known good work to
be done is the LIST November, here and north of here,
in New England Had paid attention to the prac-
teal and theoretical object Of sewers. Being
struoted of brick, in this city, the cement should
be Of the best quality and laid by experienced work.
men; would say decidedly and positively, that the
cement cannot be used in frosty weather, so as to
preserve the integrity Of the work. never had had
anything TO do in building sewer himself, but had
Ia.r af,aIf bph
The internal pressure upon sewer, when filed to
its utmost capacity, makes great strength necessa-
TT. II mast be obvious that the form is maintained
by the pressure Of the earth externally nclosing it,
then you have the two opposite pressures and where
the cement is imperfect the form Of the sewer
would undoubtedly be disturbed; and il the grade
were disturbed and the masonry broken up, the Jag
ged surface of the masonry would form receptaccs
for accumulation Of filth, and might do sufficient
ly to neutralze the whole current Of the fluid
through ths sewer.
Cross-examined.--Had already remarked that he
had never been engaged II the building OF q sewer.
Mr CRAVEN wished here to amend ais testimony.
Mr. THOU had no objection: be only wanted TO
get all the truth out.
Mr.. CRAyES then said he hal, in his enumeration
on Tuesday, omitted 70 mention one sewer which
be stopped during the winter. II was the one by
". A. Cumming, in Forty-ninth street. He OBJ
served he would nof mention it, but that the same
person, Cumming, the contractor for one in
Hester street which went on; the one in Forty
ninth street being out Of town, there was no reason
why II should 20 on. and it was stopped on the
frat Of December.
WILLIAM c. RewLASD--Was Inspector Of Sewer
In TEenty-scycnth street, between Sixth and Sc
ycnth avenues; william Shields was contractor:
about forty feet was built after the first Of Defenders
noted the fact when lie reported last spring; it was
taken up. and rebuilt. ii would not be accepted
when they took Tie crown OF key brick, out Of it,
the sewer fell down.
IL Alderman Br1sLEY--It would not do 50 if the
p. IN Ia ufY. nh "a