New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-10-12
COMMITTEE ON STREET OPENINGS

The Committee on Street Openings met at noon at
No. Park place, Room No. IL. Present: Messrs.
Birdsall, Varian and Hardy.
Mr.. Patrick C. Lee, clerk in the office Of the
Council to the Corporation, appeared in response to
a subpoena, and begged to be excused. He said that
the business Of the Street Opening Department OF
the Law Department devoved upon him in the alb
sence of Mr.. Henry G. Bronson, who wac IN the
country. The Committee declined 10 excuse him,
and he was sworn. lie testified that he received as
a salary mere nominal one of $3.50, which was
paid him by the Corporation Counsel. He had
served az clerk TO one Commission while Mr.. Bus
teed was Corporation Counsel, and TO one since Mr..
Bronson entered the office. He had been bili-posier
TO considerable number Of Commissioners One
notice had 10 be posted for Gu days one for IA days,
and one for 10 days in each case. The poster was
bound by law to have three notices day posted
during the entire term and had TO swear that they
were up for specific number OF daye. lie always
charged 81 day for each days services; the charge
bad been 50 day, but Mr.. Dillon reduced it 10 two.
lie had to make affidavit that notices posted in
three different places for each and every day during
the entire space Of time required BY the law, and
that they were ported in three conspicuous places
adjacent 10 the property The bill-posting for each
since ast October, but could form no idea Of the az
gregate amount which be received.
Question by Mr.. Hardy-You receive all the
money yoursefl
Answer-All the money.
Q. You have no understanding with anybody else,
that body else hiss any interest IN it in any shape
whatever
Wltnes-That question refuse to answer.
The witness proceeded 10 testify that his duties in
the Corporation Councils Office were principally the
making up of the reports, and preparing them for
presentation TO the Court; that was done 1.-THE
Corporation Counsel. The reports were always
prepared under bis supervision. For this work he
never made any charge. He supposed the charse
made by Henry q. Bronson was for some other por-
ton Of this work. lie was clerk IN two Connie
sons now When billposter, he visited the place as
often IA was requisite in order 10 be justified IN
swearing that the bills were posted the required
number Of dayssuti GENTLY often, according to bis
own conscience. lie would not swear that be was
there every day, but he would swear that he was
there as often as once n week. Was now clerk 10
two commissions, which sometimes met on the same
day, but not at the same hour.
John III. White, esq, testified IN regard 70 bill
for room rent, charged by him 20 the Commission for
widening WLiieha street, at the rate Of o. pea day
Dr. l.. V. Price, auditor IN tic Finance Depart
ment, produced the lease Of the rooms occupied by
the Counsel to the Corporation. Ii included rooms
Nos. Is, 10, H. 49, 90 and - Of the premises Nos.
81 and "a Nassau street. The rent was e. 900 a
year. The rooms occupied by the Corporation At
torney, he said were not included in these. They
cost s. 800 in addition.
The Committee adjourned until Tuesday next.