The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-11-04
investigation of the Charges Pre- ferrcd
Against the Chief ENHANCED.
Pefore Assistant Aldermen Barker and McCon

Pefore Assistant Aldermen Barker and McConkey
The third adjourned meeting of the COMMITTEES appoint
ed 10 inv estgate tie charges against the Chief Engineer
Alfred Carson, held yesterday afternoon three
o'clock in the chamber of the Board of Assistant Alder
VIM G. Bates, berg called 70 the stand declined an
examination.
being examne although he preferred Of the charges
Henry Venn enc OF the preerrng parties and
tie OCCASION he thought necessary engage one
also, and accordingly introduced Mr. Willard his
counsel on the occasion, who said that they were
propose to show that Mr. larson at other times under
pretence Of having the patent right has required the
city to pay him large sums Of money for improvements
claimed by him, where the public interest not
by their introduction but where the contrary really
the Also, that Mr. Carson has undertaken to dis.
pose of the property of the corporation in manner
trary 70 its interests with view to the personal benefit
OF himself and those connected Nth him ia the tran.ac-
ton. We prepared at this time to establish these
charger By the decision Of the committee we are of
course governed in the course shall pursue.
Mr. McGovan--l understand that the counsel propose
to restrict the examination by the regular legal rules
The object Of the present proceeding is the impeachment
OF hr Carson for improper conduct in Office. We only
ask that he may be INDUCED in the exercise Of his just
rl ts We not expect receive any ayors from the
other side, and shall certainly grant none.
Mr. Willard-We appear here to administer justice and
not mercy
Ar Bsrker-The committee have but one course to pur
sue IN this matter These specific charges against the Chief
Engineer made to the Asss ant Board Of Aldermen
the tody for mpeachm nt by whom they referred TO
this committee and those charges the committee are now
wr and ready to Investigate II there be other charges
they must be submitted to the Assistant Aldermen and
they will then be referred 10 this other committee
as determined on by the Board. We now investigate
only the sharge.which has been referred u.s. 1t is in
lev words, receiving certain sum of money and
above what the striking apparatus cost under the pre-
tence that he in possession Of the paen right Of it,
We governed by instructions from the Board of
Asssent Aldermen, and not in the least degree by news
paper statements.
Mr.. vann being duly swon eclosed that he did bust
ness at % Bowcry.
On being asked by the counsel for Mr. Carson he
an active member Of the Fire Department.
Mr. Willard, counsel for the proerrers Of the charges,
protested against all personalities.
Witness contnued-Is tax payer; never had any d III
Guilty with Mr.. Carson.
MIR. McGowan counsel for Mr. Carson proposed to read
the affidavit of the witness in reference t, the BILL
Mr. Willard raid they would undertake to prove the
charges by the Comptroller and would establish the whole
facts by independent evidence.
Witness continued-Knows that Mr. Carson paid
EIs Van Ness bill OF $780,
Counsel for Mr.. Carson--Ilow 90 you know
Witness Because saw documents to that effect rob.
jected to by the defendants counsel
William Adams Geposed--Ihat he was one of the Com.
masiorcrs Of Repairs and Supplies from June 1919 10
June 1865 the department has Instructions to supply
the Fire department. with all the neeessaries requirei
he bills paid during that time by him the re
QUESTION Of the Chief Engineer there payment
made by him for a striking apparatus no paid Mc.
Carson for Union Market and Twenty second street sta
lions; amount paid $500 for the two stations
Mr. Carson at that time represented that he had patent
for the Invention and that he would no sooner give his
rights TO the city than he would to individual witness
said he had better let somebody else do the business but
Mr. Carr said and that he had patent right the
conversation tool place in the month of July August
Cross. examined by Mr. McGowan-Could not tell what
other conversation took place at the tme Mr. Carson
did want to do the work under any other person
name; witness paid $500 for each; Mr. Carson did not
state what the price but that the price he had
been paid before; he said that he claimed the patent
right as his own and would not then do he had done
her etofore he made the bill out In his own name and
received the money In his own name witness made
objections to the price, for he had actual idea of the
Of the work. and made effort to find out after he
learned he had exclusive right to the il vention; he
supposed from what Mr. Carson told him, that he had
paten. ight the bills presented by the Chief Engi
neer and paid by witness
Mr. Franklin, being duly sworn, opposed That he was
member Of the Committee Fire War; in the Board
elected during his membership in the Beard of
Assistants his attention directed to the invention OF
the striking apparatus subsequently to the election o.
Mr. Carson who called his attention to the subject and
made some specifications on paper, showing him the
Of working the striking apparntus he said he
had paeI for it, the result Of the cor ference was that
he engaged to put up in the City Hall or Centre
Market; both put up by direction OK The committee;
the bills presented to tbs committee, and the ma
iory of them approving them, they were paid by the
Comptroler Mr. Carson said they would cost 5000 each
bills 10 the amount of 81 600 approved Of by the
committee, for the two machines.
Q-Dd you agree to pay Mr.. Carson nythng for
the patent2
IObiecttd to by the defendants counsel
Examination continued-Was under the impression
that the money raid for the cost Of the mechanical
work, or nearly so.
Cross examined by the deenda nts counsel-Mr Carson
show the committee the way he proposed
" strike tks heu Gow distance; hs stated that WAl