New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-07-10
THE BROOKLYN BOARD OF HEALTH
BRIBERY CASE.
INVESTIGATION

CHARGE OF BRIBERY AGAINST ALDERMAN
PRESTON OF THE FIFTEENTH WARD.
| The Board of Aldermen met last evening at Z
o'clock for the purpose of investigating the case of
Alderman Preston, who stood charged with receiving
bride from Mr.. De Burg Of the chemical works at
the foot of Division avenue.
Aldermen Preston and Walsh were members of the
Board Of Health and some few weeks since complaint
was made to the Board Of Health that the factory Of
Mr. De Burg was nuisance and detrimental to the
public health. A Committee consisting of Aldermen
Preston Walsh and Schools was appointed to investi
gate the same and if should be found necessary, to
have the same abated
This Committee, in the discharge of their duty, Wis
tied the establishment, and the next morning after
their visit reported to the Board of Health that they
had examined into the NATTER and found that there
WAS quantity Of decaying flesh and dried night-soil
which emitted most iuoleiabe smell, and was GER
ainly detrimental to public health They stated that
those articles were used in the manufacture of super
phosphate of lime and they had directed Mr.. De
Burg to remove the same, and purify his establish
ment II,
tons of the Committee, and on subsequent visit
found that he had done directed. The offensive
substances had been either removed or deodonzed,
and the establishment had been cleaned and was no
longer offensive. -
4 few DAYS after this Alderman Preston, as Chair
man Of the Committee, called upon DE Burg at his
establishment. and upon examination found that the
directions Of the Board had been complied with AT
this interview Mr. De Burg expressed himself as be-
int perfectly satisfied with the manner in which he
had been treated by the Committee, and stated that
he desired TO make the Board of Health present. and
askec if 81 600 would be thought to be suff-
Gent Preston replied that for himself ne did not
want any money but if he choose tn make them
present he could do He then offered check,
which was declined, and day or two after he met
Preston in the street and gave him $oO-which Pres
ton accepted and put it in his pocket
few days after the fact ranspred that Preston had
received The money, Alderman Kal6ileiseh offered
resolution in the Board of Aldermen nqurlng into the
truth of such rumors affecting the Board of Health
| A Committee consisting Of Aldermen kalbtelsch,
Van Brunt Wilson, jenkins and Rowe were appointed
TO investigate the natter aud they made their report
Oh a week last Monday, June ~, when 1t was made
| the special order for last evening.
Upon the roll being called the following members
we,e present: nh
Alderman Pieson PIc;l.n Aldermen Cs,low Russell ell
vecco Rowe Van Brunt PadeI SSEa o s s4 c",
Preston Raphs Bliss Palmer Kahaeisch snydam Schools and
eSHsseenfSMcN.mee Hudson Mcmahon, Snyder and Wal
The minutes of the last meeting were read and ap-,
The report of the Committee of Investigation was
Aid. Fowler moved that Aid. Preston be heard in
his defense. The motion was carried.
AID Preston stated that he was prepared to offer
his defense, and was prepared with counsel.
Permission was given to him to appear by counsel,
and MIR. Henry l.. Clinton appeared and asked that
full notes of the evidence might be furnished him
il was taken before the Committee of Investigation.
If il could not be furnished this evening he would like
TO have it before he made his final argument.
AID Walters here entered the rOom as well as Aid.
McMshOn. 49,
Several members spoke in favor of allowing Aid.
Preston TO introduce al evidence which he might de-
sire to produce the part Of the Defense AID Clarke
made motion to that effect.
AID Fowler opposed the motion to introduce other
testimony than that produced before the Committee
He opposed the idea of producing testimony which
was taken before the Committee with view to pro.
cue ar adjournment Of the case to another day. He
held that the gentlemen comporipg tine Committee
were Of such character that it was tantamount to 81,
effort 10 Tpeach their character IN thus can Tor the
notes Of the testimony beftre the CGnmittee. After
readi.p &c the resolution of AID Clarke he seconded
| the motion.
| Alderman Scholes advocated the motion, and
locb ed upon Til. Investigating Committee similar
to Grand Jury, and the evidence atogetherer parte
Before the Committee there Was no opportunity Tor
alton Of witnesses and he vas not Wiling
TO ADOPT any report such testimony as that brought
| before the Committee. He was anxious to fully In
We stipate the matter and wished to make an exami-
nation of facts himself and Tor that purpose ae
sired to have all the witnesses who were brought be-
fore the Committee to be cited before the Board lie
moved to amend the motion OF AID ClOuse 10 tnat CT
| feet. The motion was carried, mi
| r.. Clinton
| Earle and Times of Brooklyn, stating that Alderman
Pre- son desired to stale the matter on and ior that
purpose had endeavored to prevent quorum rom
being present this evening. He denied the assertions
ard Stated that be coured investigation, and was
net afraid TO have most searching course pursued In
the matter His elem felt himself 70 be perfectly In
recent of any crime and had not violated any law or
rule Of the Board.
With few remarks he called DR.. Warren Ceve-
land, who being sworn, stated thar he Is the heanh
| r A. lid Tho nraynisa nf
Burg in the early part of June, in company with Ai.
Scbol, Walsh and Preston found large quantities OF
dried animal flesh that had been boiled also 4uan,,
~ of night SOIL gave directions "a to what should
| be done to remove the nuisance, nor did give an
opinion az to what should be done to remove tne hu
sance; understood that the offensive material snould
be removed, and 30 understood II 10 be tue oPhon ~
the Committee; visited the establishment ater"afd
ard found that the order OF tne o e',s.'e
| of Health had been complied WIN tuiy;
| was present when Preston and DE Burg had a con-
yer.aon on this sueect was az rl aS anS mpey
a. consideration for his official services as mehioer
Of the Board of Health and replied that he haa never
pad him any money 10 influence his acton one way UT
The other; the question was asked py Da.ar h.d
De Burg after that time, and he sad ne never h"u
paid Preston any money any official influence e.her
past present, future; he said ne Lao uaue nii,
present of $780, he sad his money Yves ms ~ ah h
be could DO as he pleased with 1t; ne SPOKE ., 'ne
manner in which he had been treated IN INC ,,aaen
and pressed himself as intending to make present
| 10 the members Of the Board Of Heata. T..
| BY Members Of the Board Did not say why nc u'a
| NOT olive The members Of the Board Money.
This last conversation took place ID New i n -
Complaints have since come INTO Tue Doaru Oh
| Health Of a nuisance existing there
| AID Schools was called and swcrn-W az ihe,hoet
ef The Board of Health and as such visited DE Burg
place; at that time said to De Burg that we nad
power 10 tear down the building if the nuisance was
rot removed ught the matter OF tns nafsnee q,
De Bury before the Board Of Health being requested
-, e AZ - ~, ra,;ous citizens; the Mayor appointed