The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-10-23

eet euort To defeat Lincoln. Let every maa Ia
New York opposed to his election accept cur
uoion ticket in good faith, aud, Like honest
oancho, bid God bless the giver nor look the
ght horse in the mouth Otherwise, ii Is cheer
ioiiy and nonsense to talk Of the possibility Of
redeemipg the State.
The New HARLEM BRIpGE-BLAcK REprBtr-
CAN NorIoNs OF SwINp1E-O One OF our black
republican contemporaries, with a view to
damage political opponent who happens to
be member of the Board made a fierce ON
slanght yesterday on the Commissioners of the
new Harlem bridge. The article Is made up OF
such gross pervepions of facts that 1t requires
but brief and accurate restatement Of them to
dispose satisfactorily Of Its allegations.
In 1857 the Legislature passed a law assum-
ing on behalf of the counties of New York
and Westchester possession of Coles, or Har-
lem bridge, at the end of Third avenue.
The law directed the Supervisors Of the two
counties to keep and maintain 1t as free
bridge over the Harlem river. By the same
act the Mayor and Street Commissioner of New
York and the County Judge and Chairman Of
the Board of Supervisors Of Westchester coun-
ty were appointed Commissioners to rebuild
the existing bridge whenever 1t was found to
be in an unsafe condition. By another clause
the repairs and maintenance of the present
bridge were left with the Boards of Supervisors
Of both counties, thus showing the distinctive
character of the duties allotted to each body.
In March last the Commissioners met
and personally examined the bridge, and
filed certificate in each Of the counties to
the effect that it was incapable Of further re-
pairs, and must be reconstructed Immediately.
Shortly after they appointed Mr.. McApine as
engineer, to superintend its re erection. or the
fitness of this gentleman for the duties assigned
him there can be no question. He constructed
tie naval dry dock at Brooklyn, was Assistant
President and Chief Engineer of tbs
New York and Erie Railroad, served
one term as State Engineer Of New
York and three terms as Railroad Commissioner.
Az to his having been appointed through the
intrigues of the Mayor, 1t turns out that he was
scarcely known to Mr.. Wood at all, and was
elected by the unanimous vote of the Board.
Two months later Mr.. McAlpine submitted
his plans with an estimate of the total cost Of
the new bridge amounting to s225 900, which
plans and estimate were adopted without dis
sentient voice. On the 10th of the present
month the Commissioners met and accepted Of
fers from three responsible parties for the en-
tire reconstruction Of the bridge for sum not
to exceed $4,000, and the work was at once
commenced.
The assertion that the Legislature had passed
an amendment to the act under which these
steps were taken is utterly. false. All that
1t did was to insert In the New York Tax bill
an item Of $4,000 for the expenditure ON the
bridge for the current year. The Corporation
Council, in reply to q resolution Of the Board,
gave 1t as his opinion that the Commissioners
were authorized to construct such bridge a.
they deemed necessary, and were not to be
governed in Its cost by the appropriation re-
ferred to, except SO far as 1t limited the expsn-
di,ure for the current year.
The Commissioners have been guided en-
tirely by this opinion. The contracts entered
into with Messrs. Nevins, Van Cleave and
Roche compel the latter to furnish all the
money required until further appropriations
are made. So far are the estimates of the con-
tractors from exceeding those Of the engineer,
that they fall short Of them by over ten thou
sand dollars. They have undertaken the work
at Sl7 yard for the masonry, seven cents Per
pound for the cast iron, and nine and three
quarter cents per pound for the wrought iron,
all furnished and put up. These prices prove
conclusively that no favor has been shown In
the matter.
We have stated enough TO expose the ma
licious spirit which has dictated this attack on
the Commissioners. They have done no more
than they were directed to do by the act under
which they we're appointed, and they have OBJ
served the utmost caution in carrying out Its
provisions. The contracts are fair and reason
able; they are below the engineers estimates,
and they are given to responsible parties, who
have undertaken to end all the necessary funds
until the full amount is appropriated by the
Legislature. What more can be expected from
the Commissioners, unless, indeed, they have
failed to provide for swarm Of hungry ex-
pectants9