The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-01-28

on Ffsuds- -swindiing for Paving In the
Bowery-Unequal Assessments for the Ansos
Street sewer-The 5000 Paid % Mr.. Esbsm
BY Mistake-Suit Commences for the He
sovsry of the Meney-Asssssnent for Flag
Eing In Ffny-fourth Street, where no Work
has been Dono-Overcharses in Q~anoty
and Price-Work Done and Assessments
Made without Legal Aushority-Assessment
Sor Consts noting Wall and Cuivert which
were not Buiit or Contracted fora Clerk
In the Collector Of Assessments Once knows
OF an "Arrangement," &c.
The universal 10 which the corruption Of city
government has attained has been deemed by the Board
Of Aldermen sufficient necessity for appointing stand
ing Committee on Frauds order 70 systematze inqa
res into the complaints Of the outraged citizens. Alder
men Thomas W. Adams, Thomas Stephens and James
Owens have been appointed this committee, and held
their first meeting yesterday afternoon in the City Libra
ry There large attendance Of Interested spectators
composed Of city officials and citizens generally.
Alderman Adams opened the session about quarter past
one by directing the reading of the resolution referring
Conovers communication Of JAN IL TO this committee and
stating that Comp:r,ler Fagg and Corporation Counsel
Busteed had been nohed and expected TO attend
FRAUDS IN PAVING IN THE BowERY.
Mr.. Burtis Skidmore then informed the committee that
he had a few words to say.
The Chairman-0n whose behalfp
Mr.. skidmore-On my own behalf, sir, as a citizen
appear protest against fraud pracced upon me- c
zen by the city Twill tell you short story and wllswear
to afterwards If you wish, 1suppose you are aware
you not you ought to behat there have been frauds
perpetrated in the wsy Of paving walks and fencing lots
There have been large amounts Of money paid in the
Of assessments for paving walks where there no ne
cessity for it, There doubt about it, and the fact
il has been done to give jobs TO political favorltes The
case Of which have TO complain is in the Bowery, be
tween Beecker and Houston streets. There good
brick walk there Without my knowledge that walk was
taken up and tagging put down. under the direction of the
Common Council. The first knew was that a tenant
came to me and told that the tagging there.
and looked a IT, and found that was very impre
perv done and upon examination OF tho contract which
found at the Street Commissioners Office, found that
done according to contract then went before
committee for the purpoee Of proving the facts got the
Inspector before the committee and took the contract
my hand and asked rom him whether the work done
according TO contract His only reply was that ne did moi
know.
The Chairman-Do you know bis nameP
Mr.. Skidmore-No, sir; but can get H. If this thing
going be a real operation will give you facts enough
The Chairman-That is what we want SIR.
Mr. Skidmorc--We sir, there have been great many
of these committees that have come 10 anything
The CHAmNAN-well, We think the tax payers have only
Mr. skidmore-Havo theyS They have got tired of
coming before these committees and merely losing time
Well, then went TO Mayor Wood
Mr skdnore-h was the cottage, at Nos 2sg, 500 and
3ol Bowery, measuring 10 feet front Mayor Wood told
Il was not done according contract he would veto IT,
thought very strange that he should require Ave men
him Instead Of vetong IT, however, Mayor Wood let II
20 by default and the Common Council rushed through
This last January that gave the adayt TO Mayor
Wood.
Charman-who the contractor
Mr.. skidmore-I will try and get you all the facts
The Charman-We want the contractors inspectors
| and surveyors names We want faots and figures.
Mr. sSdmoreI viii step INTO the Office and try TO ge
| then for you Tnt)
Mr.. j. D. willlamson-Are you receiving complaints o
| frauds OF all descriptionsr
Alderman oweps-we must arst take up the cases
which have been referred 10 this committee by the Board
We viii hear other parties Afterwards and take up their
would be better for citizens having complaints
make 10 hand In written charges 10 the Board tha,
they would be referred and could take testimony
Mr. wnliamson-The fact is, sir the taxpayers have
got tired OF dong this. They have wasted time with
other commHoes. have been before committee after
committee. Sur complaints he ard and that is the
last Of them have got frauds that have been commit
The Chairmsn-wc are not responsible for other
mitices. We will hear any evidence and receive any
communication from any gentlemen. The time OF the
committee pre,ious. We not paid for our labor,
and II is necessary that should not waste time
heaI Dg complaints The best way Is 10 present written
complaints 10 the Board.
Nr williamson very sorry that the city should
appoint CON mt,ee without paying the members.
Alder 0weps-l will not amount 10 anything for Va
20 take statements from citizens Make your complaint 10
the Board will be referred 10 this committee; come
here with your evidence AMI you will lose no ume un-
Mr. waiiamson--wc have done this before; there has
been committee after committee appointed | merely
came 10 call your attention 70 one single thing
The Cbairman-We will hear what you have TO cay on
a specified day.
Mr. wflamson-I do not think Il would be taken up on
he Chairman ater some further discussion, concluded
10 hear the story and swore the gentleman.
HAM Wall ur her Orfo rot
o be built In Amos street opposed IT, and soven eghths
Of the property owners opposed Il; but our Alderman
Voorho<9 told M that n there but one man IN favor
f IT, should 90 through. This In 1866. one Of the
principal men who At first opposed 10 the sower,
noticed all al onoe turned round and was "A 'avor OF H.
When we were Dotned 10 pay our assessments demand
ed " lock at The Assessment warrant Of the Inspector and
refused. Acr running about consic eraby manag
ed 10 SET an order swing ne right 10 lok al he war
rant, and then discovered that the gentleman who 20
suddeny had changed his OPINION and who had front on
The street Of 81 iect inches, was assessed but st while
J. Who U~ped but % feet front, assessed 500, or
larger assessment for smaller lot advise citzens,
When tbcy are assessed At heh rates, to demand ook at
ne cs.rman--he committee ha come 10 the oon.
cuson 10 act on papers rsaisments but those coming
hroush he Board Of Aldermen so that The members can
nke bold of those sworn 10 BY parties making thsm We
night 20 here for seventy years and hear promiscuous
,tAismeuts WY, sayc Information Of parties the
sss sisoS @ % e, upon Ss' them H si ons the % pro-
pcr time
Mr. Juu. AlenI am not, cir, one Of the unfortunate
charged s the care q very large estate OF Anson O..
ThsiIs, and q course have been obliged 70 submit 70
shat called frauds In several instances was much
pioased A The appointment Of thu committee. do not
fcsi sspafed 20 withhold my confidence unt see that t
b mepaced approve 0f the which the cOmrnit
80 has tedsd 20 akeo hear the recorded and verified
compians art
Mn. BUSRY KRnpN's 5000.
ne Goferpor . street CommisaDher, Mr. u. D. Como
yer, hers made hs appearance and sworn by the
Chrwmsn N tu The truth regarding certain Nlega ons
nab ~ hm concerning An over payment 70 Mr. Henry
Sbeu Cor tAe extension of Canal street.
fou have charge of the books in the Street Conmis
r.nnsvs cflcef A. Yes, sir
v 1lu made communication 10 the Board OF Alder
men from hsi department, in which you specified
ch.rs~ q rand asainst certain parties Did you make
ihsm ffasn your osn personal Knowledge A. Yes sir
rom esamipsion o. the books, every q them and
ffou q 20 evan natun 90 them.
v 1here " 10 possibility of your being mistaken A. I
Una oct,
y 10 NE cNse ~ Henry Hben, who n charged with
feseiyHs o. 600 that he u no, entitled to-
NJ Hecn, itterruptns--tpo 100, sir.
a ID refunded 10 the