The New York herald., 1868-03-17
LEGISLATIVE eomnlTyEEs'
On Ferries.

The Assembly committee to inquire into the con-
dition Of the various ferry companies having boats
plying between this city and the towns and villages
on the Westchester, Long Island and New Jersey
shores, consisting Of Lawrence d. Herman, chair
man. Peter Trainer. James McKiever and George Van
Brunt OF New York; Patrick Burns, Of Kings and w.
s. Cameron OF Chautauqua counties held Its first ses
sion at the Metropolitan Hotel yesterday. IL was the
original intention Of the committee to issue sub
pHnas returnabe at two O'Clock In the afternoon,
dence Of the managers Of the ferries and the rebuttng
statements Of those who felt aggrieved; but when
the committee recOnvened II was ascertained that
the presence OF witnesses could not be compelled
under twenty-f0ur hours notice. Further action
was postponed until half past ten O'Clock to-day.
The committee remain In session two dayS-tO-day
and to-morroW-and then adjourn to Albany, when .
report Of the evidence taken will be presented almost
Immediately to the Lower House OF the Legislature
On Streets.
The Senate Committee on Streets held their final
session at the Metropolitan Hotel yesterday after
n0on Judge Whiting was recalled and further ez-
amined to the frequency and expenses Of cleaning
the streets; and In answer to interrogatories said
he had expended on the public roads OF the city In
the month OF February $33, ,O0O but when requested
to produce his books and point out the items
which made up that sum positively declined SO to do.
He further stated that he would first consult his
OF going further into an explanation other than
verbal one In reSpOse to interrOgatOres prOpOunded
DIV SENATORS OF the COuInlEIee. Nnen lne Juuge ana
his counsel had conferred together for some moments
Senator Kennedy inquired he the street contractor,
was prepared to exhibit his b0okss 10 this Mr. Fl.
H. Low proceeded to argue that the question should
not be pressed. His client was prepared to extend
every courtesy, so far as It consistent with his
exhibition OF the books in question: although they
contain nothing prejudical, might lead to legal pro-
ceedings In other matters. His client, however, had
not the slightest wish to prevent their private IN
spection By Senators Crowley and Kennedy, and
would accord like privilege to other gentlemen OF
whiting again stated that he would not produce his
books or give any information as TO his profits under
the contract. He was he added, prepared to sur.
paid for it. He intended, should he ever make his
own out of it, to not only give up the contract but
n'' such suSeestions as experionce had % given him.
Among other things 1t was his intention to urge on
the public the building OF reservoirs into which the
filth OF the streets could be swept by flooding them
with water. There were other improvements which
he thought the public would approve OF.
To the question OF Senator Creamer II he thought
the amount stipulated in the contract Sufficient to
keep the thorOghares OF the city Clean he answered
that that would depend upon what the Senator
ing the present condition Of the streets, he replied
that the mud ut the present time was too thin and
could not therefore be readily removed.
Senator Crowley here remarked that he and other
members OF the committee had been inspecting the
streets, particularly In ahe neighborhood Of
unnecessarily filthy condition; and he was further
prepared to say for himself and for members Of the
CO0ulIttce LHht Juu2t WulLlUB HAu uOI cOtHpucu
with the terms OF his contract. Personal investga-
ton had rebutted much OF the testimony given in de-
fence Of The work by the street contractor.
To this, amid much laughter, Judge Whiting ener
geticaly replied that the streets were actually kept
in better condition for half million Of dollars by
Iars. He had been resident OF New York upwards
OF half century, and he had never known the road
ne ed aea New York
clean, and giving to its inhabitants salubrious at
mosphere without regard to personal cost; and even
authorities to construct reservoirs for the
reception OF rain water, and carry out
such Other % he 70
val, he would fulfil every guarantee, written ver
bal, which he had ever made to the authorities or the
citizens. The making OF money out OF the contract
was furthest from his thoughts He was satisfied
that but comparatively few Of the people complained
who reflected ed On mn inc severity Of me winter through
complain they were naturally fauit-hnders and never
could be pleased.
committee the Chef Engineer OF the Croton
Aqueduct Board, Alexander W. Craven, was
sworn. In answer to interrogatores propounded by
senator Kennedy, MIR. Craven stated that ne had
been engineer to the Croton Board for nearly
nineteen years; that during the past winter he did
not think that more than one or two culverts had
been frozen; and OF the opinion that the streets
had been better cleaned by Mr. whiting than they
were when Mr. Boole had the administration Of
them; not many years ago the streets were paved
with cobble stones and were dficult to clean; but
he thought that on the Belgian and Nicolson pave
uiCHt1 bWctpihR anu RutueTtuG ulTt OuSft W NC
muchicheaper than formerly. THIS witness In reply
to question OF Senator Dreamer, answered that he
was OF the opinion that the Nicolson was not dura
BILE pavement; It would not where roughly used last
to exceed three years.
The taking OF testimony here closed; but before
the committee rose Mr.. Henry Bergh, President OF
the Society for the Prevention OF Cruelty to AMI
mails, briefly addressed its members. He had
been an extensive traveller In foreign
lands but he had never seen city anywhere In SO
disgusting q condition as to-day is the metro
polls OF this western world. In his opinion
New York ought TO he kept perfectly clean
for even q less sum than half million OF dol
lars. There was company willing, he had been
assured, who were prepared TO contract with the
authorities OF the city, and guarantee TO keep the
streets clean for the manure alone He added that
he was more than surprised TO see gentleman come
before the committee and testify that the streets were
well cleaned when II apparent TO ni that quite
contrary was the case. He could not understand It,
On the conclusion Of Mr.. Bergh's remarks the CON-
mittee rose and adjourned sine de.
AS soon a. possible o report will be presented 70
the Legislature on the condition OF the streets ol New
York by this committee.