The New York herald., 1866-03-07
THE AllesEu COURT HOUSE FRAUDS.

Ono OF the Bidders for the Iron Com
tract Exam ined-No Important Devel-
OPments-Coliusion Charged Between
the Contractors, Sc.
The special committee Of the Board OF Supervisors
appointed to investigate the alleged Court House
frauds met yesterday afternoon Supervisor Fox presd
ing.
The first witness placed on the stand was George r.
Jackson who testified that in 1862 he could not re-
member exactly at what time, he put In
bid for the iron work on the new
Court House; that his bid was higher in some
respects and lower in others than the bid OF the con-
tractor whose accepted; that tho price Of do
ing such iron that the Court House varied
from twelve twenty-five cents pound, according to
the quality of the ron the manner in which the work
twenty dollars ton in 1851 eighty dollars In 1884
and 1855 Those were the highest and lowest
Of the iron on the different parts Of the
Court House varied between the years 1858 and 1885 from
pound He made his bid in Anticipation Of se in u the
Market having the price Of the iron 10 be used cal
cuation Of fifty per cent than the cost Of at tho
time the contract was offered. He never had any con-
versaons with any Of the other contractors or the mem
bers of the committee before he put In his bid.
Mr. Auldhouses establishment that Of another rival
contractor, could do the work or get II done; all the
the he could have done with the usual facility
Of the trade the bid made by the witness was in good
faith
Mr. Ely asked the Chairman of the committee " he
would have the privilege of asking questions and
questioning witnesses, and If not In what capacity he
thereS
Supervisor Fox stated that he would allow him all the
privileges Of subpGnang examining and examining
witnesses that prosecuting attorney could have and
that the committee desired only to get the truth
Mr. Ely asked If no would be obliged to act as q
prosecuting attorney.
The CHAIRMAN Off the committee informed him that he
would not, but merely citizen desrous Of substanti
ating his charge
Supervisor ELY then inquired Of he could examine
through counsel and
Supervisor Fox replied that he might.
Mr.. ANrHoN (sIr. Elys counsel) then crossexamined
the witness at considerable length, but ELECTED nothing
of importance in addition TO what has been above stated
At the conclusion Of the examination Mr. Fox said
that he could not understand the object Of the
many questions Mr. Anthon had asked, and
he desired to state that while full oppor-
unity will be accorded to prove all that be proved
the committee did not wish to have timo wasted. He
asked what Mr. Anthon wished to prove by his ques-
tionsf
Mr. ANruoS stated that he wanted to show collision
between the contractors when they made the bids.
Mr. Fox stated that that a subject with which the
committee had nothing to do, they had met to hear
evidence in reference to the alleged frauds the new
Court House.
Mr.. ANrHoN replied that his intention to prove
collusion first among the contractors.
Supervisor Fox then stated that the question had
taken this turn and Mr. Ely was represented by counsel
some OF the gentlemen against whom the charge OF COL
luton had been nsnuated had informed him that they
too, desrous OF being represented by COUNSEL and
| four hours TO give them opportunity Of procuring
laWyera