New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-01-28
ALDERMANrC COMMITTEE on FRAUDS

yesterday in the City Hall. large number OF spec
tators were present.
M BrR1Is SxIDsoRE stated tha, he had lots in the
Bowery-Nos 900, 300 and sol, called The Cottage,
occupied BY Mr.. Webb. The Cottage had very fine
brick pavement in front Of it, which was taken up by
order of the Common Council, and pavement put
down on ii in very bad order. He applied to the Com
mittee in charge and made his complaint. He found
the contract and proved his statement to the Commit
tee and the contractor on being examined stated that
he did not know whether it done according to con-
tract. This was in 1856.
JAMES WILLIAMSON addressed the Committee at
considerable length, expressing doubt that anything
would come ont of their exertons. However he closed
by stating his case which was the sewer IN Amos
street, seven-eghths of the residents of which were
opposed to sewer, but the Alderman, MIR. Worries,
told him il should 90 through if there was only one
person in favor Of it, and il did go through lie found
that there WHO was opposed to II al hrs'
who subsequently very much in Mvor OF 1t; and
after great deal of difficulty he succeeded in obtain
ing sight at the collectors warrant, when he found
that this man. who had front Of thrty-seven feet
nine inches was assessed si5. while the witness, who
had front of twent nine feet five inches, was assess
ed aver 500 He respectfully advised citizens when
they had assessments to pay to get look at the
assessment warrants and see how they were made.
Mr.. TuLEY ALLEN said that he WAS charged with
the oudation of the large estate of Arson c. Phelps
of course he had been obliged to submit to frauds.
He was very much pleased when he saw the appoint
ment of this Committee but he did not see how the
Com mittee could act upon verbal reports.
AID. ADAMs-We shall never get through with any
thing
Mr. ALLES-We certainly have no right to say that
this Committee will transact business as other Com
mittees have. The public ought TO have entire conf.
dence in this Committee.
NJ, Aaurr-i would therefore say that the course
adopted by this Committee " very proper You have
now before you printed cases enough let those who
feel aggreved, lay their case before the Board.
Aid. ADAMs-Mr. COnOver, Will you step TINS way |!
ID. ID. COnover sworn.
Aid. ADAxs-You have charge OF the books in the
Street Department A. YES Sir
O. You made a communication to the Board Of
Aldermen and in that communication there were
charges of fraud did you make these from your own
examination A. Every case rs made from an ex-
animation and re-examnatlon OF the books
q. There is no possibility of any mistake ! A.
| think not, Sir.
@. In the case of Henry Erben, who is charged
hreceivpg 81, 0OOmore than he was entitled to some
two years ago that has been refunded to the
c,yq A. Not that know Of, Sir.
Q. You make that statement from your own per-
sona knowledge A. Yes, Sir, from the books in the
Office.
books to show that it has been refunded !!
| Mr.. CoSovER-N0t in my office. The awards are
made public; paid to him, less the amount paid to the
Trust Company.
defaced in any manner Has there been any plaster
Ing or pasngl A. No. Sir they have only put a
little piece of paper on the first page, AZ they do on
maps, &c, to preserve 1t.
Q. IL there any paper pasted on the page where
Mr. Erben's name IS! A. Nothing, on the cover or
anywhere near it. the amount awarded is written out
in full and not figure is covered
Aid. ADAMs-If il is not too much trouble, we
should Ike to see those books.
The books brought, and Mr.. COnover showed
piece of paper pasted over the book, and pointed
out the figures which proved the accuracy ofhs COM
munica'on to the Board.
Aid OwESs-very well, Sir, that is perfectly square
and straight.
Mr.. ERBrN-Just leave that book there if you
please.
Mr.. COsoyER-I will leave II While am mere.
Mr.. ERBES-I contend, if there has been any mis-
take il has arisen from the fact that the Trust Com
pany was awarded in that book So O00 which pasted
over. | have made a statement OF the figures.
Aid. ADAMs-NO; you must give II right out; give
out the same others do think the receipt covers
the whole ground.
Mr.. ERBEs-There was Just 100 feet required for
the opening of Canal street. Bacon * Raven gave
80 feet and got $3I GEO. gave 80 feet. and got only
$4,000.
Aid. ADANs-We have got nothing tn do with that.
Mr. ERBEK-I beg leave to read this statement:
The Supreme Court confirmed the report OF the
Commissioner for the extension OF Canal street ana
widening of Walker street, 1854. Canal street from
the North River to Centre street was lOo feet VIDE,
and it was extended from Centre street TO walker
street leo feet and Walker street was wdened 10
East Broadway to the width of - feet FIFTY feet OF
the property facing Centre street required ior Tue
extension owned by Bacon & Raven, ana ~ teet
Of il by Henry Erben The Improvements Oh the
property consisted Of fOur-story br1ck WORKSHOPS
The Commissioners awarded o..
To Bacon Raven for their ~ feet a..,
To Peter Giet who held mortgage on the property I
Total amount for Bsoon Raven. 81 feet. ...... *H75e
which they Jointly received. The Commissioners
awarded Henry Erben, for bis 80 feet sl'@9
To n. T. Life Insurance and Trust Coz who held mort INN
gage Oh tie property '''''''''
Total amount for Henry Erben's % sAao5
which Mr. Thompson, President Of me 1r a%u
Mr.. Erben Jointly received. Mr. Erben having prop
erty on the line of the street. was assessed S''i io
benefits Taking that off from me sioSo aceUI1 aaG
to Mr. Conovers staement) would ieaVe ohiy Si''y'
while Bacon Raven received S3l '1g Iof aDout lie
same smourt of property. Bacon & Raven not hav-
ing property left on the line of the street. were not
assessed for benefits. Mr.. Erben - under the full
beleftb he received from the C0miSs0ners ior MS
,rorar+v NO more than they intended he should have
which was after deductng the assessments for bene
fits 500 500 and even that amount IL small IN CON-
paiison with what was received oy MS nelghoo
have NOT received 81 600 more than they awarded you
I tbonobt YOU we're rather trying to excuse and JUS
tity Yourself rather than to explain away the facts.
Mr.. ERBEN-lhert was one hundred ieeti they
orned one half and the other; from the fact that
tbev got 50 1000, il was reasonable 10 suppose that
sbond have got ga 600. Ii had been so spoken of in
the Court by the counsel on the two sides and in this
book that have here, if there Is any mistake It has
been by making out from this abstract book. Both
the lots are directly in front; there is advantage
any way.
AID ADAN,-That is not a matter for IA To look A..
You do not deny receiving the $4,000.
Mr.. ERBFs-NO Sir.
Aid. ADaNs-That is what we want 20 get at.
Mr.. ERBEs-There may be mistake in the Com