New-York tribune., 1872-06-08
THE CONTRACT COMMISSIONERS.

CRrnnN's CAsE-THE STOWE PAVEMENT JOB.
Contract Commissioners Sutherland, van
Worst and Jaques met again last night at the Court
House. corner of Eigheenth-s and FOurthave. In the
case of Crimmins, adjourned from Monday night' NJ n
Kellogg testified that g so a square yard was Iar
price for blasting and excavating rock. MI Olini
minis testified that Mr. Coleman told him nc had
never seen Mr. Tweed or Judge Barnard In reference 10
the contract and that influence except that ot the
had been exerted to secure It for him.
Mr. straban who appeared the Controller said that
Judge Barnard had told him, since the evidence was
given I'm relation TO his interference that he bad never
taken a step in the matter, and didn't know how his
name became connected with IT, hut he (Nr. sranan)
supposed that IL occurred through Mt Coemans efforts
10 have Critmnins get the contract.
TxJudge Van Worst said he thought the evidence es-
tabshed the fact that Cmminss prices we're fair, ana
the only question was whether the contract was legally
made Mr. strahan said IL was not legally made because
the prerequisite Of advertising had not been comped
WITH this the very reason why was brought
before the Commissioners, who had the power toIegaEe
It,
The case Of the alleged award Of number OF contracts
TO pave various streets with the Stowe pavement was
then taken up Mr. Jenny. who appeared for the prop
ertv owners moved 10 dismiss the case on the ground
that six months before the contract was entered
into q law was passed by the Legislature oil 1870
forbiddng any contracts TO be made Tor repair
ing any street, or any assessment 10 he lafd on
the property-owners therefor. without their con-
sent. The Commissioners said this was
cae Of an award not contract but the question just
raised would be taken into consideration. Mr. Law
renee said The case OF an award stands on broader
erouid tnan that Of contract technically irregular Mr.
Devn claimed that the award vas absorbed by the con-
tract aud the question Of fraud stood on the ot sane @
section Of the act applying to patent paVemehs IS u
Mr' Devlin' then called Mr. Ducy who testified: was
employed in the Department OF Pnhc WORKS ~ 10 ana
st. Mr. Tweed Mr. stUrrs, and Mr. Connolly were pres
ont John BBan's was he only bid had charge OF ue
entry; fhis is a copy-I know by the form have not
compared il with the original no contract was ever eX
Mr. Jenny and M strahan objected 10 the copv not
being proved. Mr. Devln rested, ana Mr Suahan
argued that there was no award because tho proposal
was not advertised rs required by iav; that there
no ordinance passed nv The Common Council mthGTizing
IT, and therefore neither WIN. NJ Tweed nor X B Con-
molly had anv power TO make any award. "
ExJuGge Sutherland said the lew under Wmch they
acting was passed To- give quiet 10 me ct ana tne
undoubted intent was that they should authorize con
tracts 70 he made in spite Of irregularities where no
fraud existed This remark drew iorth great applause
from the audience the request Of Judge Sutherland Tor
Mt Duey was crossexarnined and said The contract
was signed because Mavor Han interfered and sent
letter suggesting that il shOud not be signed Mr. Con
molly also objected, and told me large number Of
assessment bonds were Issuing and 1t was better TO
the Mayor bur there were amendments 10 the ordnance
which the N1vor did sign; know Mr. Bryan: don't
TeCOlleCt
eiyed ANYTHING from him. or from anybody else Tor him
for INV action ia this matter.
The awards I'm which Bryan interested apply 10 18Th,
ofrh 27th 2sth S0th and 40th sts Mr. Jenny who Is the
owner of property affected by the awards, took
he stand and gave astory " the passage of the ordi
nance relating the stone pavement, which was vetoed
bv the Mayor at tho solicitation OF the property
owners. The estimate made then was that about
twenty miles of streets 10 be contracted
for 10 be paved with the stowe pavement az an expense
OF S2O0N0O the citizens; not one OF the property
owners petoued for this pavement, and 90 per cent pc
ttOned against IL: admissions have been made 10 me
was paid TO the Common Council TO pro-
cure the passage of tho ordinance au-
thorizing The making OF these contracts; Adermnn
Rogers who is now dead, told he did not say he
Rad received any Of IL; had conversations with many
members OF both Boards, and every such conversation
resulted IN an admission their part that money had
been used
lowing contracts have been signed by. thrm Il. Nc
Christie, Avenue A; r. McChriste, Second-aye.