The New York herald., 1870-08-13
THE EIGH Bridge IN ESSEX COlSTY.

Alleged Systematic SwindlinR Of Taxpny.
ers-A Piece OF Metropolitan Jobbery
Claimed to Have B en- Successfully Prac.
tised by Rural Jcrscymen.
It's very generally alleged that If Messrs. Tneo.
sandford, II. II. Nichols, d. J. Camfleld Moses 4.
Hasey and John II. Matthews, the committee re-
Gently appointed by the Essex County Board or
Chosen Frecho!ders to investigate the rumors
garding the expenditure 0I the money claimed to
have been used by the committee In charge Of the
High bridge Montclar, toward Its construc-
ton. attend faithfully to Their duty regular pro-
cess OF swlnding VIII be found to have been prac.
tlsed upon the taxpayers Of the county. In May,
1865, a. VIII be remembered, this bridge. a single
arch stone span across small mountain
gorge, about half way between Bloom.
field and Montclair, was ordered TO be
constructed. The estimate then was that
1t would cost about $4,000. or the committee ap-
pointed to look after the work Mr.. Philip Weaver
was chosen chairman. The work was commenced
and rushed along with astonishing rapidly but soon
the $50 0o) and $4,000 besides were consumed, and
just as the finishing touches being given To the
structure nearly the whole fabric tumbieu INTO pile
or ruins. The material used was mani estiy OF the
most miserable kind and the workmanship execrabe
In the extreme. At The next meeting OF the Board q
committee was appointed to examine the rum, and
1t was then discovered that not only was there little
or no attempt ut securing proper foundation but
and rubbish generally OF tho nimslest character.
The structure was declared first class fraud.
second committee, with Nj. Amos BrOadnax as
chalrinan was appointed and the work ordered to
he recommended, without any restriction as 10
funds. resolution was passed, however, that the
work be given out by contract, and that the cOn-
tractor to whom 1t might he awarded should be
CURED to furnish security for twice the amount OF
the contract 20 as to insure the faithful perform
anCe OF the work and no further loss to the county
Mr.. Broadnax, however ignored the resolution. 1t is
asserted and proceeded with tire building OF the
bridge by days work. Abou, the first thing he did,
Is said, was to go to New York and purchase some
700 barrels OF cement for which, II IL stated ne paid
81 10 per BARREL besides fieightagc, whereas, IL
ALLEGED, they could have been purchased In Newark
for one dollar and Ninety five cents, or two dollars
at ;-osi, per barrel. delivered In Newark. Further
more, "a alleged, tie cement was purchased long
before 10 was needed compelling storage 10 be paid
for III and, In addition TO tns 1t Is asserted that the
cement had actually been condemned In New York
before IL was purchased. AT the last meeting of the
Board the other day it h said TO have transpirel
that upwards OF SOC, 900 had been expended on the
bridge since the commencement OF It's construction,
and 1t is lar rom completion yet. In the or Mr..
Weaver u IS openly alleged hat he received $4,000
by an arrange .ncat with the contractor As might
naturally be expected. The people Of Essex county
feel greatly Indignant over the matter OF these al.
legged developments and more especially the CITY Of
Newark, which pays seyeaty-tw0 per cent Of the
whole axnauaA~