New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-12-21
THE SUPERVISORS COMMITTEE ON HARLEM
RRInGE

meeting OF the Special Committee appointed BY
the Supervisors 10 inquire into the contract made by
the Mayor and the Harlem Bridge Commissioners, to
rebuild the bridge the termination of Third avenue
war held yesterday afternoon. There wore present
Messis. Blunt, Purdy Ely and Davis. To more
clearly show the objects OF the meeting brief state
ment of affairs relative to the bridge will be Decesssry
For many years the Harlem bridge tol-bridge and
private property In 1857 the Legislature passed an
act making free bridge, the same TO be Kept in re-
pair by the Counties OF ork and Nostebester
respectfully IA far their jurisdiction extended.
Tbe also set forth that these two counties should
build bridge and provided that the Mayor and the
Street Commissioner of New-fork, and the County
Judge and Chairman Of the Board Of Supervisors OF
Westcheeter County, should constitute the Commits
siOners to take charge Of the work. II may he re-
marked that the jurisdiction Of NewYorks claimed
to extend 10 low water mark the Westchester side
of the river by this act nearly the entire cost Of the
bTidgeswould fall on this city, For the building of
this bridge the Last Legislature made an appropriation
Of $25 CO., and a contract for 100000 has been
secretly made by the Commissioners.
Mr.. Mcleod Murphy the principal complainant
against the contract sent 10 q communication setting
forth that the plan Of the bridge mpracticabe and
costly.
Hi Honor the MAYOR WA present at the request Of
the Committee and stated that three contracts had
been made for building the bridge He knew very
little in regard TO the construction Of bridges and for
oImstion on that point would refer the Committee
to Mr. McApin the engineer Of the work In question.
The contracts had been made for building different
parts Of the ridge. Estimates received by the Com
nsoioneis had in fallen short Of 100000. lie
was willing TO submit any information that the Com
mittee might require.
II regard 10 the appropriation Of $25, 900, Mr..
BLUET, Chairman Of the Committee, contended that
II was Inserted in the tax levy for the Board Of Super
vsors to apply to the building of a county bridge.
The MAYOR held that the Commissioners had right
10 use the s25 coo, he far as it would go.
Mr.. PURDr believed that the Legi slsture had no
power to grant authority to any parties to build
bridge obstrucGing navigation.
The question in regard TO the auditing Of bills for
the uaynent Of expenses incurred by the Board Of
Commissioners coming up, Mr, Blunt said that he
was greatly surprised when be learned the day pre-
viouf that warrants were being drawn on the $1,000
Some $500 or S. COO lad been already paid out. All
the bills Of the Commissioners should be audited by
the Board of Supervisors before payment.
Mr. PURDI believed that the Board OF Supervisors
had no control over the matter, aud consequently 1t
was not their butinesS 10 audit the bills
DR. BLUNT agreed tina. they bad no control over
building the bridge but had control Of the auditing the
bills for the payment Of the He OF opinion
Il al tie $2j,0C0 appropriated and levied before
the Board of Commissioners had complied with the
law in regard TO filing their certificate in the County
CLERK s-otice, and making their application to the
Board Of Supervisors for an appropriation.
The flowing resolution was adopted:
Re,,ed That the Chairman Of this Committee apply 10 the
legal adviser Of the Board Of Supervisors 70 Ascertain frat II
ne Copissiouers suthc,ed to build the Hsriem Bridge
use any portion OF the $3.50 appropriated before they made
their application the Board Of Supervisor for an sPprops
ton and second have the Board a Supervsors the authority
10 audit bi contract for by the Harlem Bridge Commssios
ere and have Board Of Supervisor the power Of reducing
the bills a. they have in other County charges
Adjourned 10 The call Of the Chairman.