New-York tribune., 1873-06-17
THE CITIZENS COMMITTEE.

Nays-AlCClmen DWyeT5 MyLe, -nCAutSIo, NV"
A<dsOn-4.
THE CITIZENS COMMITTEE.
STREET OPENING ABUsES-ACTION OF TIE COMMIT
TEE OF ONE HUNDRED on TIE NEW CHATTER
THE GOVERNOR ENJOINED TO VETO TIE BRIDGE
BILL
The Committee met at their rooms in the
Academy about the usual hour, Mr.. Woodruff III the
chair Upon calling the meeting 70 order the Chairman,
MI Woodruff asked for reports from standing commit
tees ready, the report Of the Commit
Local Expenditures was offered by its Chairman
Mr.. Needham, and is as follows:
Your Committee, to whom referred the matter OF
ts % teaT m fnoSs That thev nave ex
ahmed the papers, proceedings, and vouchers thereh
the Legislature passed Adr 23s0 under which act thre
Commission Of Estimate ana Assessment were aI-
pointed, eons'stlng as snnaiy arranged OF w. o.
Osborne, b. > Philips, ana o. LoyStt Inat on "a
Sept A. 1872, there was paid 10 sald
OsDorne and Phillips the Of 5000 each, and on
sept o is7l said Joyett paid 5000 for services as
such Commissioners, making IN all the sum OF 5000
consists paid clerks fees 70 said Commission
tS757 surveyors fees, 500 legal expenses, $500 for
bitu $500 for collectors fees s73 stationery $1,000
appraisers fees, making IN all as the expense
Taylor appears 10 have been the attorney and
counsel III Toe matter, and on sept 1872 he was paid
BY the Controller OF the city, $44s, which amount is
made up Of "a portion Of the above items Said Taylo
sad ac charge upon property outside of the CITY Of
Brooklyn aud within Of Fatbush, and that by
money so collected 10y him; mat the whole amount Of
awards made by said Commission in the
t2O which added 70 such expenses made The assess
Your committee state as called for by the resolution
of reference to themj that Ia the opinion the coms
eOners fees exorbitant and oppressive 70 the tax
payers, and that the collectors fees seem too large
fEIt such opinion is fOunded either experience in
such matters comparison Of similar expenses OIL other
On the opening and widening Of Bushwickave.. which
done by the City, and not under special commits
came length Washington-ave and the labor Of the
Commissioners practically the same Yet the Commits
made for clerk-hre or appraisers fees The Com
nDssIOners fees on South Seventh-st now Broadway
also S2OO and the awards were 1921 ,l4s 60 The
average Commissioners fees on street openings III
Brooklyn present when done by the city and not by
special act Is about $500 gross for each street The above
facts in the opinion OF your Committee, form good
argument in favor OF the position Of this association IN
the support Of nome government or rule All OF which
ri. NJ. NEEDHAN, 6. n. DAVIS,
JAMES sTEARNs, A. ID. WHEELoCK.
The report was accepted Mr.. serns Of this Com
nittee said two matters IN the report
which required explanation. First, il was generally
supposed the fee for commissioners in the opening
of fixed by law at s5OO As there some
doubt about that IL omitted from the report. He
had since learned from the Controller that that the
fact that the charter fixed $500 where streets opened
under the charter AS to another item, the collectors
fees, it may seem, are charged ct the rate
of $3.50 for collecting t207oO0. when in
point of fact only half OF that amount collected
the other half being set of against the assessment 1t
Is strong argument 10 my mind" added Mr.. sterns,
" in favor Of home government 1t seems to me this
subject OF special legislation IN regard 70 the City Of
Brooklyn is Of much importance that we ought TO
devote little attention " IT, and wish 70 offer the
following:
,oIr,d That's Comn, Of three bt'protea J,spsf, rsp',
report the sOme future meeting
This resolution was unanimously passed and the Com
mittee appointed @essTs stearns Colt, and Far
nngton.
Controller Schroeder then read the report OF the Com
mittee on the Synopsis Of the Charter, which
very long document. At its conclusion argument
came up the propriety Of adopting 1t at present
Col. Davis wanted it given to the press, and
acted on a week later, when all would
have had opportunity Of reading II. Mr..
Esehwege moved 10 amend by having it adopted
at once Mr.. Hunter declared his own prefer
ence for the original motion, because possible harm
could ensue from weeks delay. and q much more in
teigent vote could be given. Nr stearns said that he
could rely upon the judgment OF the gentlemen who
composed the Committee. Mr.. Hunter replied that he
certainly could but II was more than mere synopsis
and be desired time 10 study IL. Con-
freIer schroeder replied IL defense OF his re-
port and the Charter. which called out re-
spopse from Mr FalngtoD who said, although in msuy
respects the charter excellent one yet 1t ought
not 20 go forth the Charter OF the Committee Of
One Hundred II seemed 10 him that it was quite as
well 10 let the report before the people and stand
upon It's merits and be moved 10 lay the amendment
on the table which was lost.
Col Davis-Gentemen: EcAnnot discuss THE question
fully until understand u thoroughly, but aid catch
the purport Of the report not such ss can give my
sanction TO- nor will give It, see 80 attack, for IN
stance upon commissioner Of this city, and j, for one
am not here 70 defend him. Be Is out Of ONCE see no
attack upon the preeent Board Of Civ WOGKs, whlch
believe TO be more corrupt than al previous Boafd
ever was They D ot1ce and can defend themselves
i say, Mr Chairman, that as refeTn committee When
read which occupies from hall 10 tbree
quarters of hour where reflections are MADE upon
who have retired private hfeaDd they are not
personal friends OF mBeand are not here 70 defeno
Themselves and illusions made 70 acts when are
today scandal 70 all good men in this city and else
where; no assaults made upon those who have under
their charge the sreeteleaning contracts which plum
def the people with their stOek-COcks and rHmmeTs.
prefer % have one week 20 consider whether a
former / can give my vote 10 that document.
these things right through as we can, grapple
nit8 them boldly, and ld out the truth These people
have repeatedly said that these throe-beaded commits
ions should be wiped out Of power have their
salaries raised don't say that the Charter, whole,
5s not good but do say that, In summarizing il, IT
should be summarized honestly and fairly; that one
pary should be put under ban, but each sbonld take
ss fl MEASURE VI tbs taxRjop W1sCh dEyiDR our oily