The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-01-12

nd whose estimate amounted to sierra Time allowed
Cor completion Of work sin months. suretes, To
renee Farley and Patrick reacy. Work not yet COM
pleted.
Fassins and setting curb snd gutter in Eighty fourth
street rom First To Third For this work ANeeu
estimates received and the work awarded and con
whose estimate amounted TO So IFS. Nevertheless,
tract was made April IA, 1867 with G. c. Harsen whose
estimate was fourth from the lowest and amounted
$500 Time allowed for the work, two months, and he
work has been completed
The same unlawful proceeding in making contract with
party 10 whom the work was neither awarded nor con-
rmed chsracterses these four last cases resulting in
loss To the property owners n the several amounts OF
exhibit excess Of some months time IN executing the
work.
Tagging sidewalks, setting curb and gutter, and laying
bridge stones Fourth avenue from Seventy ninth
were received, viz From G. c. Ehs and Charles Dew
lin The Ellis estimate being informal, the work
awarded TO Charles pevin, whose estimate was
as follows, viz.-Curb and gutter, 81 40 per
running foot bridge stones 40 cents per square foot
tagging le cents per square foot while fair rate for
such would be so cents 25 cents and II cents
pecvey. The award was sect 20 the Common Council
for confirmation, but not ooahrmed Nevertheless
with Dcvn the 18th OF April 1867,
at cost per his estimate Of Sl2s s7. Work has been
completed
new feature appears in this case, viz The making
contract with party after the Common Council had re-
fused to confirm the award
Fourth and Fifth avenues. Charles Devln, alone, bid
for this work at 81 y per running foot There is no
evidence in the Street Department OF any award or con-
Armation of the work Devn, but is known that
contract made with him and duly recorded. But
appears further in reference 70 this ease that during the
period from June II 70 July Is, throughout which
Devin was in possession of the Street Department
by force, viz, the 26th of June the said contract
was torn out of the contract book by G. H. f.
Lynch, the contract clerk appointed by Devlin and
another contract for the work made by Charles
Turner Devlins Deputy COMMISSIONER with John Fz-
mart vi q
work. and which contract was preda.ed June 10, appa-
reny for the purpose OF taking the responsibility Of the
transaction from Devins administration OF the affairs Of
the street Department, which commenced on June H.
presumable that the time inserted in said contract With
Dsyln for the completion Of the work June 15 1857
inasmuch as, through haste oversight copying the
particulars Of that contract into the new contract with
Fitzpatrick that date (JuDe 15) still remains the time
the completion of the work whio the contract ser
bears date June IT, being day after the time set for lis
termination by completion Of the work The whole train
of irregular Illegal and fraudulent proceedings before
hbited eliminate in this in the mutaton Of public
records during the temporary superintendent of Charles
Devln Street Commissioner; but notwithstanding
these grand Developments the main consideration which
10 have been paramount throughout all The cases
presented viz margin for profit is not lost sigh; Of IN
this for the work contracted for at 81 % per running
foot would have been well paid for at DO cents per RUIZ
| ming foot.
ation of law and disregard Of the public interests might
be added inclusive Of the most recent one respecting the
regulating and grading Of the New Bowery from Chatham
10 Franklin square, which has become matter Of inves-
tgauon by the courts and the particulars Of which arc
| before
The undersigned would further call the attention of your
honorable body the very general practice of contractors,
Of overrunpg the time specified for the performance OF
their contracts-a practice which has left large amount
| of public improvements unfinished, as will appear by
reference 10 list annexed, marked document so 4. II
appears that this of things results from
ment in vogue among contractors TO wait FOR
mencement OF new works in the neighborhood OF the
work they may have contracted for SO ha. greater fac
ties may be Afforded to them Of procuring deficiency or
dspcsng of surplus Of materials with less expense
| themselves. Early occasion will be taken by the
/ nnhp ~ nm.
finished work particularly examined, and the
circumstances attending me delay investigated,
ing the same. for action Of your honorable boiy
In respect to the progress and present state Of the Battery
enlargement reference made 70 the appended report or
Daniel Even ESQ, the surveyor having charge OF the
work doc No. 81. It's details will doubt prove IN.
terestng 70 the public as aording concise history Of
The foregoing Developments show that the business Of
contracting for public work under the Street Department
has been laorly reduced 70 quite manageable system,
confined 20 four parties. who for each
other and back sell out among themselves
requires opportunity affords to do so, at the
pense OF the property owners hut whatever else these
Developments may be thought 10 indicate, they "a
sSun is.es Srs certainty drsraois % nero Of the s,c
ries without reference 10 the opportunity thereby afforded
| for a record Of future exploits.
Reflection IL lost In amazenent in contemplating the
bold and reckless manner In which the affairs Of the Street
Department have been managed heretofore and partcu
larry during he past Few years. The gross and wholesale
violation Of law and ordnance dsrcgardng concealmen
even the utter contempt displayed Tor the action and the
l
which must have bought the silence Of parties whose
rights were sumnary set aside, and which the whole
truth were known would be found TO have sent its ntu
10 bureaus outside Of the Department the
bera'e and systematic alteration Of contracts thereby
fraudulerty over'aNng citizens for unnecessary
formed al montrous rates of charge all prove most
coDclusvey that the separation Of the several depar,
mcns from the control and supervision Of the Mayor and
Common Council and the making their respective heads
elective ard Responsible 20 no one as was The case
the late charter has increased the political corruption
the day pon, destructive alike TO honor Of The man
~
DANIEL ,. ooNovEI, Street Commissioner
When The document was partly read, Alderman Nc
Alderman STAIR said he was Just becoming get into
rested n The report d he hoped the motion 70 lay on
fraud In the Street Department and he thought tho d)cu
ment ought TO be read at length.
Alderman McsrrDos said this Board did no. recogn 20
Ar. Coroyer az street Commissioner. Ns eOL.1, how
ever. withdraw his motion.
The reasirs was then resumed and finished.
il @as then moved tina; the document De referred .
the appropriate committee.
Alderman rrcKn raid Il was an important document
and he moved that II be referred N special committee.
Alderman HSkp said thai there fraud 70 the amount
OF 1890 on twelve contracts. What then MAJ be the
amount II frauds op hurdreds Of contracf lie hoped i
| would be referred 10 special committee.
Alderman ADAMS 10 favor OF ts being referred 10
the regular standing committee No doubt they would
| the other side.
Alderman DAVIS favored a reference 70 a special com
| mlttee.
Alderman TUCKER said II the matter was divided rp
amongst different committees would die. n there was
committee frauds" be would is reference 70
them. Gentlemen very sensitive the matter but
they desired thorough investigation why cbe:i " is
| beng sent 70 a committee which would have special
4 charge Of It.
Alderman NcsPKpoS said he was no, very sensitive
about The matter and be would tel the gentleman ALDER
man Tuckerl never 20 alade h. hrn personally in u
Board He believed that there was fraud, the
| part of republicans
Alderman TruoR explained that he did not audo 10
any member in particular he never desired 20 be per
! sonaL
Alderman Ncsrrnos then moved 20 lay tsi cOmnuuica
| Carried. 49, "a
| communication was receivodEr ur Zoo H. pur
GER Corporation Attorney showing that the u s2so rs
vas received al that department for penalties r violation
Of the Corporation ordinances curing the nsutbs Of No
! vember and December last
| psmiIDfNc NsRKsr
An ordnance TO raise sl7o ooo By oan and 10 fund the