New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1866-03-16
Tho New Csurs.House Inquiry.

The investigation into the charges OF extrava
eance in the matter of tho construction Of the New
Court House continued yesterday afternoon before
the Special Committee Of the Board Of Supervisors
Present Supervisor Fox and quorum.
John Kelum was the first witness sworn. and test
fed "A follows: Am the architect Of the New Court
House; do not know the quantity OF iron put in the
Court House since its commencement 1t can be ascer
tanned very nearly at any time. for all practical pur
posss As the building stands now. witness does no,
know the quantity of marble contained IN the building;
that also can be ascertained. witness thought.
A long argument was here had between counsel upon
the relevancy of a question asked the witness II he
knew the quantity Of cubic feet Of bricks now In the
building the ground ready to put IN the building
Mr.. Anbon claimed that this question. II answered
would form important part Of the evidence for the
Mr. Cram thought that this was a matter which
should not be- introduced here. Charges OF extraya
gance had beer made against the Committee OF the
Board OF Supervisors and those charges were to b
tried here.
The question was then overruled.
Witness did not know IN whose possession the con
tract for the brick work before the bids for the
iron work the Court House were put IN witness had
been to Washington and the iron work on the ex
OF the Capitol he bad received instructions 10
request parties 10 his Office and look upon the
plans for the building To come there and make their
estimates directed TO notify three or four good
iron men; had any questions from the Supervisors
who the parties were who would receive the con
tract does not know what amount has been expended
could be an estimate made what would be the possible
cost Of the building, II could DO estimated within the
range OF probabilities; IN his opinion In two weeks
witness could form an estimate how much OF the buid
ing was finished and " hat remained to be done.
Mr.. Anthem desired the Committee to instruct Mr.
Keum who was in the employ Of the Board of Super.
yi-ors to prepare statement OF the amount Of iron.
marble and bricks used IN the building thus far.
Mr.. Fox said this was matter between MI. kellum
and the counsel and the Committee had right to
make any such order 10 Mr. kelum.
NJ tUpa US -
County bookkecper. the entire amount expended upon
tho Court, House 10 the present time. including the
ground is e. as 40 o. $4,000 OF this amount is for
the ground. els 400 W has been expended on the
building; DO not know how much has been expended
for either iron marble brick the amount raised for
interest the work IL s2ls 6 JO Sl3s,5 ~ has been
raised by the issue of Revenue bonds in addition to
s2ls67 %. the total amount raised for the work Is
g. 5D7 $50 tie Whole amount OF Appropriation Is SiJO
COZ up 20 the present time
By Mr. Cram-Ihe interest Is money raised in Court.
House stock.
Mr. Cram thought tha. these items OF inter.
had nothing 20 do with tho expenses IN the Court
House.
TX Mayor Opdyks was next sworn and testified
Was Mayor Of New.York in 1868; at that time ques-
lions camo before which embrace the contracts
Tor iron and marble work on which be was called to
pass his approval As far as witnesses memsry served
him there were contracts made for iron and marbles
those were for the basement OF the buildings at the time
the contract for the iron made, contract fer add
tional marble was also made the marble contract
ferred to witness thought for the whole buildings
but before he left Office another contract for marble
submitted TO witness for his approval
Mr. Fox here said that of the press had charged
that this Committee were dragging this matter very
slowly along and he anxious 10 finish the investi-
CATION as might be practicable, and be there
fore hoped that the counsel would have their wit
nesses lere to-day to get in all the testimony
soon as possible.
The respective counsel replied thaI tney ~ouiu en-
deayor To do 40.
Adjourned to o'clock this p. IN.