The New York herald., 1872-10-03
THE HARLEM COURT HOUSE.

Eighth Day Of the nvestigation-yud~
McQuade and Mr.. b. p. Fairchild ou
the stand-That Little Bill of Ingcr-
sOlIs.
Yesterday afternoon the investigation into the
alleged frauds in the erection OF the Ninth judicial
District Court House resumed before the Senate
Committee, in the chamber OF the Board of Alder
men. Mr.. Fairchild, who sold the property to the
Court House Commission, was examined. From
this witness the Investigators hoped TO learn
thing particularly definite and important with ref
erence to the sale Of the lots on which the Court
house Is built, but nothing OF importance was
ehcited, save that he was the owner of the land
and that Winants acted as his agent
The first witness called was Mr. George Snyder
VINO, being sworn, deposed as follows:-I am a
lthographcr have been In that business for twenty
odd years. tfiere q bond OF the Ninth Judicial Dis
trict Court House handed to Mr. Snyder and
his opinion asked to what it would cost to prn
500 such b0nds In my estimation 1t would cost
$780, or at least that is what would charge for the
work; II did the work for stationers / would
charge much less.
Mr.. +. ii. Brown was next called His testimon
was In substance as follows:-I am a resident Of
Harlem, and was at one time the owner OF the prop
erty upon which now stands what Is known as the
Harlem Court House, situated between sixth and
Seventh avenues, in l2Sth street. sold the prop
erty for $4,000; the conveyance for the same
was signed by Albert l.: winants at the Office Of
Judge Porter; did not know that the Harlem Court
House was to be built there until some time alter
the deed had been given; received part OF the
money rom Judge Porter at his office.
Mr.. b. ?. Fairchild who sold the property 10 the
Commission through his nephew, Winants, was
ing the examination OF Mr.. Brown; bought the lots
in question from Mr.. Brown; did not hear amy talk
after he had contracted for their purchase; the first
mention OF the sale was made by me to Judge
nue.; knew him to be one OF the Commissioners, and
asked him where he was going to locate; he didl
not, not know; asked asked him If the present site
about where they would like to build; bought
these lots on speculation submitted them to the
commissioners; ,iid not know which one; thought
1t was Judge Porter received $24 900 for the prop
ery; Judge McQuade or Judge Porter received
none OF the $500 advance charged for the lots !:
all went to his private account; never shared the
profits OF sale with any one Commissioner; kept q
not he deposited the whole $4,000; had b ught
property for Mr.. Genet in the neighborhood Of
kln9s6ridge, but could not say whether he re-
ceycd all the money for 1t by check or cash;
this vas the first transaction he had ever had with
the city. anu he was sure IT would be the last.
John NJ. McQuade, the Police Justice OF the Ninth
District Court, and one OF the commissioners, next
gave his evidence. His eStimony was as fClows-
one OF the commissioners for the erection OF new
Court House; was appointed so by the Legislature;
of the Court House property; had no previous con-
versation about it further than what Mr.. Fairchid
mas you GbouI our conversation on Elgntn ave-
nue.; It was the commission that ordered the prop
Tweed ana myself had conference,
some ten days before the property was
purchased from MI Fairchild, and at this confer
encc decided upon a site for the Court House re-
ceived no money from Mr.. Fairchild or through any
one else from him; | don't know how it was that
$4,000 was made the price OF the property, but
suppose that was what he asked; don't know any
thing about the oclOth that was paid for; don't
know any thing about the carpets don't know any
thing about the chairs; don't know anything about
the desks; don't know anything about the book
case, the books, the stationery the cash boxes,
nature signed to the vouchers and bills for the same.
but never saw the goods; my signature came
them In this way:-I used to sign blanks for the
clerk, Mr.. Lynch, whom believed to be an honest
man. TO be used by him as was proper; some Of
those bills for Scall0n signed when they, were
made out, and also signed bills for materials in
the same way; that is my name attached to the
voucher for Genet SIS, 600; this was given him for
searching the title and for services as counsel
TO the Commission his duties were to direct the
mode OF procedure for the Commission in the mat
ter of building the Court House; / Vice Presi-
dent Of the Yorkvle Savings Bank; Genet is Presi-
dent.
Mr.. Genet-I object to the counsel pryng into my
private affairs.
Mr.. Parsons-I propose to show. and can prove
that about one hundred and fifty thousand dollars
OF Court House money went into that bank to
Genet's account.
Examination resumcd--I have no objection to
allowing the Commission to examine the books or
to get statement of figures from the clerk 'or you
This testimony closed the proceedings or the
eighth day OF the investigation and the committee
adjourned until Tuesday the 18th inst, wien Judge
Porter and several other witnesses will be eX.
amined.