The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-07-12
BOARD OF COUNCILMEN.

The th session OF this Board for July was held tn
Council room last evening, President Pncxney in th
chair.
Councilman MERRITT called up the following resolution
which was adopted -
% occupy sIp between pier: Nos 81 md So "a. rive,
& sn run ~ h nsr ,sry es" s sae up .es Sa % pn %
presen, e.sce and erect a. their own expense such ferry
fixtures as they may ressIe for ferry purposes
The Board then took up the third reading Of bills and
tbe following, among others, were passed -
In hvor Of constructing sewer In sixteenth street.
commencing seventy feet west OF Seventh avenue
and running to and through Ninth avenue to
sord street from Carmane TO Hamerslcy street. In favor
o ssewer IN Barrow street. from West Washington place
60 bieec.er street; in favor Of donating ss0a TO
she New York OTthalmc Hospital That a special com
mttee of Ave be appointed 20 investigate into tho condl
eion Of the Finance Department. in favor Of increasing
hry OF superintendent Of lands and Places 10 81 800 per
anuum; tn vor Of receiving basins and culvert north
cast and southeast Of Chambers and Washington
streets; In favor Of constructing In East Broad
way from Gouvcrneur street and through Grand
street TO the sewer m Lewis street IN avor Of building
sewer IN Duane street, between Hudson street and Wet
Broadway IN favor OF constructing sewer In Clinton
street. between Brooe and Grand streets In favor o
constructing sewer In Thirty eighth street. between
Third and Fourth avenues.
lengthy 6scussion upon the report Of the Com
nt,ee ON the Law Department in favor of paying the
claim Of Charles Devtkn for 81, 500 for lumber used In
building sewer. Mr. swan opposed the claim aud said
tha, was one among hundreds Of similar grcundess
claims which presented 10 this Board, and carried
Through by bargaining and corruption. lie commented
upon the presence OF the street Commissioner IN the
shs BILL behalf Of OF hs contractors through The
Board. The Common Council mitted legis-
Fate for the city but they must be aided by the heads o
departments who In here with their clerks to in
etruct them 10 their duty. The whole city government
from the highest Office 70 the lowest was but one grand
system q bargain and sale. lie had doubt this bill
~oud pass others had passed bcfore indeed he hal
been informed ths, 3s votes already secured s
favor but he wished to enter his protest. against being
groundleSs claim and fraud upon the city treasury.
Mr. = Horru was also opposed TO the claim, although
ne though, Mr. swan was mistaken In saying that the
COMMISSIONER " lobby
ang In behalf OF this bill lie opposed the claim because
DC thought was too high He had been informed that
che lumber Cor which was proposed 70 pay s 500 was
Oil timber which had lain under water Tor sixteen years
AM saa. 'he same Quantity Of new lumber could se
Taylor also opposed the claim and moved that be
eerred back 70 the Committee OF the Whole, which
rm csSrsar fARK--sio6 900 srraorsnrsp
The ordinance sppropratng 100000 for the Of .hc
Commissioner OF The Central Park then taken up,
and a meon made 10 discharge the Committee tie
whole from the further consideration Of the subject Cor
she purpose OF passing the Immediately. Several
embers opposed the motion and considerable discussion
onsne-the opposition appearing 70 be nos 70 much 70
rsnen nressed upon The poard Tho motos finally pre-
vailed. by vote Of % % q.
motion TO adopt the ordinance then made, when
Councilman SWAN offered as substitute resolsiion
calling upon the Commissioners 10 report in writing TO
ehis Board the names Of all the persons empSyed by
Gums paid agreed be paid each FOR his services
sogethcr with estimate of The money needed for
snoney was 10 be applied lie supported this resolution
IN speech Of oonsi derablc length IN which he state
chat he had sufficient confidence tho Commissioners
of the Central Park 10 single into their
hands without written statement OF thesnanner in which
che money was TO be expended lie commented with
great severity upon the professions q economy made by
che Mayor the time he into office compared with
his practices lie referred 10 the manner In which
she Mayor year ago accustomed 10 snub the Com.
mon Councl-the scorn and contempt with which he
created this Boardhis bold usurpations Of power only
eqused Ivy hts assumptions OF superior virtue and ho
nesty and the indignation which then excited among
fbe members of the Board against whom they were
pleased 10 call yrant, and contrasted all this with the
ringing subservency, and the eagerness 10 do hts bid
ding, which characterized these same members.
And how had this wonderful change been brought
about Alas the itching palm had done the workbe
you tickle and III tickle you principle had been
enaugursted In our municipal affairs. Hesaid that the
whole city government had become demoralized by the
eystem OF bargain and corruption which had been intro
iuced during his administration, and he compelled
60 that Mayor Wood notwithstanding all his messages
is vetoes and his plausible essays upon all variety of
oubtect actually led the this demorazing system
uhe resolution rejected. The ordinance then
sdopted-ayes, Al, nays, g.
AFTER traussctng other unimportaut business ihe
Board adjourned 70 Monday afternoon at O'Clock.
GRADING OF THE BowERY EXTENSION.
ne COMMITTEES on streets Of the Board Of COuucrueu,