The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-10-04
BOARD OF COUNCHMEN.

After some routine business the Board adjourned to
Thursday next at five O'Clock.
BOARD OF COUNCILMEN.
This Board met last evening-Chas G. Cornell ESQ., the
President, presiding After the of the preceding
meeting read and approved number of resolutions
were presented, among which the following
PROPOSAL TO PURCHASE THE FIVE POINTS PUBLIC BUILD
Mr.. LENT offered the suboined preamble and resolu-
ton
Whereas, that portion Of the city commonly known as
the Five Points has been years disgrace and reproach
10 the Empire City, and whereas all efforts regenerate
the have thus far been unsuccessful therefore
Resolved, That the Committee Lands and Places re-
port TO this Board the expedency of taking measures
secure that portion of the city bounded by Centre Pearl
Chatham, Mott and Walker streets Tor any portion
same) and laying out public park and erecting on
portion OF the same suitable buildings for the accommo-
ments
The resolution was adopted
CLOCK
Mr.. LANDER submitted the following resolution
Resolved, That the Street Commissioner be and he e
hereby, directed to send to this Board all papers in his
possession regarding clock for the cupoa the CITY
Hall and he is hereby directed not to proceed any fur
Their in the progress OF the proposed contract for the
Until the action Of the Common Council known 10
him in the matter Adopted.
SHOULD BOILER INSPECTORS RE ApporSrEp2
Mr.. LAMBER presented the following preamble and
Whereas the late accident at the Girard House. and
others Of similar character in the city, has shown that
accidents are likely TO from the unsafe condition of
the boilers OF buildings in which steam is used and
whereas the lives Of the citizens should be shielded from
this danger as much possible by ordinances of the
Common Council, therefore,
Resolved, That special committee be appointed re-
port ordinance TO provide for the appointment suit
able persons to inspect the condition Of the boilers in
buildings where steam is used
SHOULD HAMILTON PARK SOLD?
Mr.. LENT presented the following
Whereas, since the opening of Central Park, Hamilton
square is no longer required for the purposes for which
it was originally intended, therefore
Resolved, That the Committee Lands and Places
port to this Board the expediency of applying to the Le
gsature for permission TO sell the and apply
proceeds towards the liquidation OF the city debt
Adopted.
CITY HAIL
resolution adopted directing the Street Com
missioner send the Board his original estimate for
repairing the City Hall amounting to $50 OOO and his ex
PLANTATION how the difference was made by the contract
ing party who have agreed to do the same work
and agreeable to plans and specifications drawn under
the supervision Of his department for the of Sl1 800
PAPERS FROM THE ALDERMEN.
Among the reports presented by the charmen of the
different committees report of the Committee Fl
appropriatng s1l 400 the Street Commissioner
for the expenses Of the Fire Department which laid
over.
large number of reports and papers from the Alder
men laid for future action, among which
The subiOlned, which the Board concurred in
resolution to repair shed in Jefferson market at
expense OF $500.
communication of the Street Commissioner with award
Of for repairing and altering house No "a Attor
ney street for Of Hose Company No 4, at expense
of$1 400 concurred in; also for building house be-
tween Second and Third avenues for the use of Engine
Company No 49, expense of So 06S also for building
pier at the foot Of Seventy ninth street. East river, at
expense of Sill ,921.
VETO OF THE MAYOR on THE RESOLUTIONS DECLARING
LEASE OF THE WILLIAMSBURG FERRIES NULL AND VOID.
The following communication was received from the
Mayor
MAYORS OFFICE, New YORK, Oct. g. 1859.
To THE HONORABLE COMMON COUNCIL -
GENTIEMES-I herewith return to you without my APP
proval the resolutions adopted by the Common Council
the 10th Of September last declaring null and void the
authorized leases granted Meseroe and Others of the
ferries from Grand street in this city to Grand street.
Seventh
Brooklyn adjacent thereto and directing the Counsel
10 the Corporation TO take Immediately to pre-
the unauthorized Of and interference with such
ferries and also that the Comptroller proceed forthwith to
advertise and sell at public auction the leases Of the said
Grand street ferry and the from the northery basin
Peck slip the foot of South Seventh street. Brooklyn
for the term Of ten years from the first Of January next
and that such leases be submitted to the Common Council
for their approval. In arriving at this conclusion
greet that am again compelled to put myself in opposition
ferry rights of this city In my judgment, TO sanction
this resolution would be to establish precedent wefcal
cuated to disturb that confidence which should always be
placed in the city of New York.
The Common Council, examination Of the public
cords will find that leases have already been executed by
the public agents Of the city, to Meseroe and Others
of ferries between the points referred to in the above
solution The right TO these ferries sold public
auction after advertisements appeared in the newspapers
lin pursuance of the provisions of the charter Of the
proposed sale Of the ferry franchises between the points
suggested At the sale sharp competition took place
The purchaser at the sale agreed to $2l 900 per
for the Peck slip ferry and $4,000 per for
the Grand street ferry These sales made under the
direction the Comptroller of the city. The purchasers
having furnished adequate security required their leases
which executed to them in the month of May last
Immediately the execution of the leases the parties
whom they were made entered into arrangements for
running boats these ferries They have made large
pendures in the purchase Of boats md preparing proper
landing places each side of the river They have paid
their the ferries into the public treasury, and so
far was in their power they have complied with the
terms Of their contract with the city The resolution sub
mitted TO proposes annu that contract to repudate
our own covenants made with parties who have honestly
paid their rents and faithfully performed their
solution would be TO undermine the conf
dence now. placed in the contracts of the public
any which will disturb that confidence in the
involabiy Of which lies not only at the very
foundation OF commercial prosperity but of social exist
That faith shall not be impaired by any act
mine.
The resolution against which offer my objections as
snmes that the Montgomery charter has been violated in
the execution of the leases in question 1t also insists
that the leases should have been submitted to the Com
mon Council for ratification.
The provision the Montgomery charter authorized the
city Of New York establish ferries that is declare
that an exclusive right should exist TO carry passengers
andreght between points the island to certain desgna
ted points ON the opposite shores gave the power
the city to create franchise of particular nature In
pursuance o TINS authority years since the Common
Council directed ferry authorized from the foot
Grand stree. 70 Chem Williamsburg, Brooklyn +.
j. In november, 1895 the Common Council directed a
ferry to be established from Peck slip TO Williamsburg
Thus under the charter the ferry franchises were
cd by the Common Council, Leases have from time to
time been granted Of these ferry franchises so establish
ed Last May the term for which the leases had been
granted having EXPIRED new leases were granted to Mese
of city the agent Of the public authorities in the
execution of these leases His authority found in the
4ls section Of the amended charter Of the New York
passed by the Legislature Of this State 1867 The sec
lion is follows;Sec. Al All ferries, docks, piers and
slips shall be leased all leases and sales Of public
property and franchises (oher than grants Of land under
water which the Of the upland shall have pre-
cmpve righD shall be made by public auction, and to
the highest bidder who will give adequate security No
lease hereafter given except rs Wv same may ~ ~.