The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-02-09
Row TIE TAXPAYERS ARE rLEECED.

GIaz1ng Frauds Stin-Deputy street Conn
| missioner Turner Wages Indlsnant-Nobody
Knows Anything-The Committee Mysta-
ned-The stolen Papers Unaccounted For,
&c., &c., SC.
The Standing Committee on Frauds met again yesterday
Alderman Adams in the charprcsent Aldermen Tucker
and OWENS The Fifty fourth street case having been
closed Thursday last the Chairman that the frauds
in the Fifty second street case would be proceeded WITH
but he would first ask Alderman Monaghan few ques-
TONS Alderman Monaghan then took the stand and the
Chairman said-At our last meeting Mr. Turner stated
that contracts after being made and the work done
allowed to lie over in the Common Council for year
you are the proper person TO give information that
point, would ask if you know of such casess
| Alderman MoNAGHAN-Award of contracts seldom went
before the Committee OF Assessments they belonged
he Committee on Streets was member of the Assess
ment Committee tor 1855 and 1887 and knew OF
than two or three where the lists remained
more than three weeks, and then give property
holders chance to make complaints When papers
found to be right they despatched Immediately
the Fy second street contract then proceeded
with
VIM v Legget, who placed the contract books on the
table, was then sworn, and examined by Mr. T. Brice
smith, am clerk in the Street Department since May,
1856.
O. Do you know anything about the ordinance regu-
atng Fifty second street, A. There is such
books this is correct copy of the attached to the
| Q. When did you make that copy About week ago.
Q Where was the roll them A. In the Office of the
| O. Who the Assessors9 A. Messrs. Mcneil, Oakley
ana Dooley
O. Who is the Collector of Assessments A. Joseph R.
! Taylor
Witness here produced the specification and bills the
contract
@. Who was the lowest bidder this contract A.
Terence Farley his bid for 50 ISL the John
McGrane for s5,e92 So and the highest was VIM A Cum
Mr.. SMITH-Farey's bill was sworn to by him in the
Marine Court Oct 20, 1856 VIM p. Powers and Patrick
Tracy Farley father in law we're the suretes both
good men, believe, ard conceive that they are bound
make good all the provisions OF this contract the
tract was awarded to Farley Oct. 4 1856.
CBAIRMAN-Did you examine TO whether this con-
tract was affirmed by the Board Of Aldermen A. did
examine, but forgot the result.
Mr. SMITH, examined and found that referred to
the Committee on Roads and the report made. If
you observe on the contracts the words written OPP
posite Farley's bame-"deolined by letter"
q. Have you that letter Mr LeggettS A. No. never
saw it; it can't be found at all.
Witness here produced copy OF the contract made
with the second lowest bidder Mr. Crane, June 1857
after the work was certified as done
q Who are the surees on the original bii2 A. Jacob
sharp ana Henry Dubois.
Mr.. sMrni-Chas. Deviin and John Fitzpatrick see to
be the surees the book Take notice of that gentle
men.
Witness produced certificate of Chas Turner tn IN
Deputy Street Com missioner that the award
ed TO John McGrane, and that the work duly per
formed. This was the certificate the witness sad upon
which the assessors made their award. The following
the prices awarded For rock AVIATION, rs cents
r.,
neal foot; this put down AZ the original
coDtract tagging at ii cents 90 cents in the conract
$500 feet of wall at 26 cents foot mo wall at all in the
contract
CnAmMAs-nere is a charge here for inspectors fees
for 1913 days 81 SO per day though the contract
signed June tth and this certca of Mr. Turner's that
the woik done dated June 10th Just five days so we
have 10 draw our own conclusions.
q Who was the surveyor Of the work. A. John d.
Dodge.
The surveyors return was here produced, and
the witness stated hat he had made calculation of the
orl he md MIR Turna
CATE and that the amount made SIS Ss+ IS whereas the
assessors return amounted to s9,6s9 49, making differ
Mr.. SMinI-T The work done according to spec-
ncaton; the work Is ID many places still clearly to be
above the earth where II is blasted, and not
blasted away two feet below the snrface contained in
the specification.
Charles Turner, ex Deputy Street Commissioner, sworn
and examined.
Q. Can you explain why this Fifty second street con
tract not given to the lowest bidder A. This
tract lay for a long time with the Common Council. Mr.
Tay then in tho pangs OF death, and took the
sponsibihy myself. This paper (takng up the
fcae before alluded o) was signed by me the body OF il
is not in my Handwriting, 1t done by Of the
clerks. The do these things IL this The
makes certificate and hands 10 the contract clerk who
ILLS IN the prices, and the clerk OF the Assessment De-
| Jarmenf fills up his part, and
Alderman ruGI,rs--Is possible that you sign papers
made by your clerk OF course relied on my clerks
Mr. Flagg did i thousand times; why the President
the Governor Of the state don't know the contents of any
/ Cf the papers they sign. Oaughter.)
/ CuARsAN-that IL q hard assertion.
| Mitness--Mell, II IS
CuARMAS-lt Il singular that should be paid for
Inspecting work for l23 days which done in Eve.
Where was hr. Tayor when this contract sgnedS A.
/ lie was dying
q. Why was Il net given TO the lowest b oder? A. II
was, Mr. Roeers Gays that Farley declined il, and IL
given 90 Mr. McGrane according 10 the ordinance.
O. How long after Farley declined it II given to
70 McGranef A. Well, don't know sol of the ord-
o. ls49 that when the lowest bidder declines
shall award the contract 10 the lowest bidder
q. But you did no, prove that the lowest bid dc.
clned Nov, hew do YOU account for the wall aud cut
vert appearing in this paper while is not theorig
/ hal contract A. can't tell anything about II.
q, Did you make the contract with Mr. McGrancY A.
presume was done in the usual manner OF business
very likely was done In this way the surveyor aud In
speeor certified that the work done aud / allowed
/ the contract 10 be signed.
q ls not your duty 10 examine the contract before
O. Not your duty? A. It is the Street Commissioners
| duty.
q But you were his deputy and when he was not there
not your dutyY Now tell who put this wall and
culvert into the contract Was not slipped IN when Mr.
Taylor cyngY a. Not bit OF H. You mistake your
when you ask me tina, question. These gentlemen
have said tina, twas but be (ontiDg TO Mr. Covin) and
| Mr. Leggeu have sworn lies against You have
/ right TO ask me tuch question as that.
| Cn.IRsAS-1ll ask you any questions please.
wtness-l am answering you fairly, but you must keep
CllNRsAS-Tbs s to the point You must keep your
whness--I vill not keep my passion down. You must
CluRxAS-r did not insult you, nor must you insult
| any ore else.
wfness--I need no, answer any ques,ions bu, have
answered you everything fary and you shall not insult
me. That question was insulting II you knew the man
| you were speaking 10 you would not ask It,
CHAmsAS-There is difference ofopnion about that.
Alderman rvcKKR-Ind you sign this paper without
| knowing what II contained
| q. am sure that the paper signed by me
| without having documents before me.
| q. Who mace the contract with Mct;rane9
A. Well, presume some one came In 70 the office and
| said that the work was done
?. md you know that the work done9
A. Only by some circumstances which occurred at the
time. thought was all right then and have doubt
| that Il Is all right and proper now.
Alderman OwEss-Brt we have serious doubts that II
Ia right and thought that vo1 might have had the
same. That Is the reason ask those questions That
| s all, Mr.. Turner.
Mr. Colyn, clerk IN the Street Department, here
and said "Mr. Turner has said something requiring me
u demand an explanation. lie said falsely and
| pointed directly TO me
| CHkiRwAS.--Oh never mind now.
| CoLvN.--But don't sh TO rest under the charge.
| CnApNAN.-Well, you must settle Il elsewhere
Il Mr. rrpx i will exphin