The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1857-09-03
Col. Crozet and the Tunn el.

A communication Of Col. Crozet, has appeared in
the Staunton indicator, indicating himself and
the contractor on that work.
Col Crozet declares that he is by law, only the
agent of the Board of Public Works and response
BILE only for things pertaining to Engineering, and
not for general financial matters, contracts, &C.,
which are the province of the Board. STILL though
not responsible for contracts, he explains the mat
ter of the contract for bricks, the delay of which
has been laid ut his door He says that for than
two years this work has progressed without cash
payments, chiefly by the public spirit of the con-
tractor, who, since last October, has not even re
ceived State stock, which was prohibited by law
So that but for the indomitable energy of the con
tractor, the work would have stopped altogether
Eighteen months ago, Col. Crozet was convinced
of the necessity ofarchng about $50 feet of the Tun-
mel but the contractor could not return to add to
his disbursements and declined making bricks. In
June last the contractor obtained an accession of
funds and promptly took measures to obtain
bricks but the Board of Public Works made no
contract Col. Greet adds:
"As to the large contract said to have been made.
am not aware that the contractor has undertaken
to procure bricks for the farther extension of the
arch. lie suggested IL Of his own accord, be-
cause he thought it would make better job-but
while admitted the fact, and so did the Board
thought were not in the condition to incur
more expense: anu, considering the ROOF OF the
Tunnel in the distance proposed perfectly safe and
likely to continue SO for an indefinite time, with
but common share of prudence and casual exam
nations, was opposed to the job. which you
was no nursing of mine. The Yindicator Is GER
tanly right in saying, we are not aware that any
more power exists now to make the con.
tract than heretofore Nor have we made
any; and only supervised the construction of tho
arch when the contractor obtained the bricks for
the purpose of building $50 feet, l. myself consider
Indispensable, of which SO feet are now secured
leaving only about 20 feet to do which is all about
which l have any concern. The explanations
show you how unjust all charges are about dcIdv
&c, since the thing adverted to, never, nor is
it now, part of my plans; and that which had
contemplated could not be done for want of funds
for which we have to rely on the public spirit of
the so much abused contractor, without whom the
work had stepped"
As TO the cry about ''slow progress" Col. Gro
Get says that, while he thinks the progress has
been creditable to the skill and management of
the contractors he has no more to do with the
laborers than those who ind fault; his business IL
10 direct the construction to plans and specfca
tons, not to oversee the laborers. As to expen-
SEES, the accounts are verified and certified to him
by another officer appointed by the Board, who
sees the hands paid, and he has no manner OF
agency in the disbursements except signing drafts
upon the return of that kind to the Auditor
Everything is supported by vouchers.
Col. Cro7et hopes to have the track in order
some time this month. lie has authorized
any Of the statements which have heretofore an
peared TO the time when the work would be
done.