The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-03-03
THE ALLEGED COURT HOUSE FRAUDS.

The Investigation Before the Super
visors-Testfmony OF Supervisor Ely
He Knows Nothing, but Recommends
the Examination OF Other Witnesses,
&C., &c.
The special committee Of the Board Of Supervisors ap
pointed investigate the charges made by Supervisor
Ely against the Committee on the Court House met
yesterday afternoon. There present Supervisors
Fox, the Chairman, Blakeley and Blunt
The CHAIRMAN announced that the committee were
ready to hear what any had say substantiac
the charges made by Mr. Ely against the Committee
tho Court House.
Mr. DAry tho counsel OF the Citizens Association said
there letter before them which he would like to
call the attention OF the committee IN.
The CHAIRMAN replied that they had met TO investigate
the charges made by Mr. Ely and that they would hear
parties in reference that and nothing else They
cd all the facts which gentlemen could give them in
reference 20 that and not heaay for there had been
enough of hearsay already
knowledge
The CHAIRMAN then asked Supervisor Ely, who was In
the room Il he could prove the charges made by him
Mr. Ely replied that he did not know in what capacity
he appeared before the committee whether witness
a member Of the committee He stated, however,
that he willing to assist them in any that
would help to throw Light upon the subject, and
being placed on the witness stand and sworn.
He said, Also that he had certain questions which
he would like 70 ask Supervisor Stewart In reference TO
Supervisor For stated to Mr. Ely that the committee
could not allow him TO examine any one as they bad
agreed examine witnesses OATH and would not de-
part from that principle
Supervisor rox then examined Mr. Ely at considerable
nothing Of the truth Of the charges against the commit
tee from personal knowledge, but that, BY refer.
ring TO documents containing the proceedings Of
the Board OF Supervisors and lis committees
about q month ago. he became DESTROYS Of having the
management Of the building Of the cour, House
qured into From these documents IL appeared that
while Mr. 0unthcr MAYOR there de made for
contracts for the supply OF IRON for the work by three
gentlemen, and that ono Of these gentlemen had offered
to supply at nine cents pound but that the contract
was made for sixteen cents. He admitted that there
fcv iron houses In the country that would have
been proper 10 give such contract To- that prices have
advanced considerably since the contract for the work
made; that the building . very elegant and
substantial one and that the plan OF had been consd
erably altered since II commenced and that these
alterations implied considerable increase OF expense
Mr. Blunt examined the witness after the Chairman
had done with him, and he stated that he served the
committee with Mr. Blunt In the carly progress Of the
work that the estimate Of the expense Of the building
then about $500 000 that 81 600 900 81 200 900
worth OF bonds issued 10 carry and that either
Of tho two last named sums be the limit OF the
expense OF carrying out the project originally Hs ad
mitted however that the price OF cement Is now two
dollars and forty barrel He not whdhcr
he knew any persons who could prove any corrupt OF
their own knowledge, but mentioned the name OF
severn, iron marble and brick contractors WHOM he
would like 10 have examined witnesses and also that
he would Ike to have the matter In question fully in
vestiga,ed This was the substance OF Mr. Ely's evil
dcncc, after long and rigid examination.
In conversation that he had with Mr.. Blum, slbse
quently he stated that he remembered that Mr. Blunt
was IN favor Of building Court House that wouh cost
only $3.50 900 before the present was commenced,
and when II was projected also that at meeting the
Judges and Supervisors the plan Of the present Court
House agreed upon but he did not reueinber
whether at that meeting Mr. Blunt opposed The plan Of
the new building on the ground that u wosid be 700
expensive.
witnesses named nv Mr.. Ely and they then adjourned
till Tuesday NEXT m i've r. N.