New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1866-03-21
New Court.Hou.e 7nquiry-Further Evi
denre for the Defense.

The Special Committee OF the Board OF Su-
perysors appointed inquire into the charges of ex
trayagance In the matter OF the construction OF the
New COUNT Court. House. met at o'clock yesterday
afternoon Present Supervisor Fox and quorum.
Mr. JAS w Underhill was the first witness sworn,
and ,ested-The Board of Brokers have been building
a new house in Broad.st for their business; witness
was member of the Building Committee that build
ING cost sI7 900; the iron cost about onehaf OF that
amount: Mr. Kellum was the architect and received
three per cent his services; the iron contract was
awarded TO the Messrs. Cornell there were proposals
invited for the work by four parties two OF whom
only put in bds tie iron contract was gwen 10 the
lowest bidders the Messrs Cornell and they did their
work well =.
Cross.e1amned-The contract was awarded in the
Spring OF 1863; witness directed the architect to invite
the proposals.
i55 and i57 Westinghouse; pig iron, during the war;
advanced 80 PER cent; up to November 1908 there
was an advance OF IS per cent? up to July 1904 there
was al advance OF 100 per cent on the price OF the
same article
MIR John Edwards sworn testifed-Has marble
quarry in s6 witness made bids for the basement Of
the New Court, House, the average value of that
in 1861 and Sept. 1868 would have been 50 or 81 per
foot things advancing at that time Qn 1869 and
continued 10 advance.
of stone which were specified in our bids.
Mr. Fox said 10 had been asserted that the Com.
mittee had refused to put Supervisor Stewart on
the stand as q witness ut the beginning Of the' in
yestgation; If Mr. Stewart had been examined at that
time the prosecution would have used him as witness
against himself he being one Of the defendants in the
Mr.. Ely said when the defense had exhausted their
witnesses, the prosecution would then examine Mr.
Stewart.
Supervisor William H. Stewart was next put on the
The prosecution said that Mr. Stewart was not their
witness. and hence they would not examine him.
Mr.. Cram said II the prosecution would not examine
Mr. Stewart the defense would.
Examined by Mr. Cram--It had been asserted that II
gentleman, acting as superintendent IN the Court
House. should receive per centagc he would interest
himself more in the work; II the work In the Court
House progressed rapidly the Court would DO the
gamer; Mr. Tucker is man OF great ability and since
his APP intment the work has progressed rapidly 1t
was sometime after the Commissioners for building
Court House gave up the work OF the building before
the Board Of Supervisors took the matter in hand since
1861 aborers wages have increased from 81 per day to
ST. brick has advanced 81 Isl cement and articles for
the building have advanced great deal since 1865 the
ordinary compensation for good architect varies from
To per cent; young man acting as an architect
would receive per cent OF the entire work. there
81 bricks in cubic foot such as are used In the Court
House, Mr.. Maxwell Is well known in the marble bust.
ness that gentemans estimate for marble on the Court
House. as compared with the amounts charged for this
article the Court House, is higher than the amount
now being paid for 1t.
BY Mir Fox-Twenty .one bricks foim an actual mum.
BY Mr. Anthon-In 1861 Mr. fuckers compensation
was fixed at the rate Of 600 per annum; do not know
how long Mr. Tucker occupied MS position ~ ths rate
afterward Mr. fuckers salary was increased to 600
per annum do not recolect whether the increase
made by the Commissioners or the Committee Of the
Board the salary to Mr.. Tucker OF 5000 per annum
lasted for two years; Mr. fuckers compensation was
again changed In June. 1865 when was fixed at per
cent on the cost Of the work OF the buildings this action
was had upon the recommendation Of the Committee
who perceived the percentage system would 90 the
better pan since June LIST to December last witness
had no idea Of what amount MIR. Tucker earned as S
perintenden; In the contract the Controller Is author
n A.. alatN faH MIR
Tucker; Of Mr.. fuckers bills pass either through
Witness hands or the hands OF the Committee; the
Committee keep record Of the expens. OF the work
tho Controller by the terms VI the contract.