The New York herald., 1873-07-02

The Commissioners OF which the reform Mayor
was chairman, considered these bids, and in the
presence OF all the gentlemen bidding 1t was an
nounced, on the suggestion Of Comptroller Green,
that the subject be laid over few days later As
slstant Alderman Strack, Chairman Of the Finance
Committee, stated to the HERALD reporter that he
had learned that the highest bidder for the Hous-
ton street ferry, at $4,000 per year, wished to
call his bid and the impression left upon the public
and the reporters was that he (Mr. Smith) would
engineer tine matter to a successful termination.
Recently there has been meetings OF the Sinking
Fund Commission, but there have never been any
awards made.
Yesterday the new Commissioners OF the Sinking
Fund met at the Comptroler's oflice, all the men,
bers being present with the exception OF Recorder
Hackett. When Clerk Dykeman read q communt-
cation from one OF the ferry companies Mayor
Havemeyer, who had Just entered, with nusned
face and betraying considerable excitement sud-
denly startled his associates with the declara-
"Time was when the Corporation thought they
had some rights In the ferries. 1t appears from
these ,,, bids tnat we have no rights anywhere
and Improvement Company"
Comptroller GREEN-They own property on either
The MAYoR-How did they acquire it
Mr. GREEN--By lease.
The MAYoR-The Jerry business is farce.
think it Is about time we knew where we stood.
Mr.. GREEN-Where the city owns no bulkhe ads or
piers this side OF the river they think they have
right to navigate the waters.
Mr.. VAN SCHAICK-lf we can ask them for $1,000
we can ask them for $4,000.
Mr.. GREEN-They will not ask 1t.
Here q question occurred as to the franchises OF
the Union Ferry Company, when gentleman (Mr
Lawrence, Of the Comptroller's office, who has
stance that the Unisn Ferry Company in considera-
ton OF the payment OF 81 per year and fare OF one
cent for certain hours in 1870 had obtained the
Fulton and Catharne street, the property OF
which was owned by them
The Wall street ferry, the Slip of which on the
New York side is owned by the city and not on the
Brooklyn side
The south and Hamilton ferries all OF the prop
erty this side being owned by the city, but
on the Long Island side.
Here followed a hot dispute between the Comp
troller, Mr.. Van Schack and Mayor Havemey yer,
to the rights of the CITY, the Mayor maintaining
that the city was being swindled by these COM
aa e sesaSn OF he F1rv uo@
pany. Mr. Havemeyer said that If they charge two
cents or one cent iare in consideration of certain
franchises, the people who live IN Brooklyn and
Long Island should pay forit.
A tilt followed between che Comptroller and the
Mayor that was considered something out OF the
argument referred to the Pennsylvania Coal Com
pany's meeting lof which he is Presdent) where it
was ascertaned that on the North River the Terry
companies had taken control OF all the docks and
PIERS and their monopoly was SO complete that
refneries' could not deliver snitIcient supply
Much more was said, the Mayor and Mr.. Green
being the gladiatOrs, and both gentlemen throw
ing into their remarks quiet 1ings. Finally peace
was restored by the Chamberlain Offering reso-
luton, which was carried, to the effect that state
ment Of all property owned by the city, with dia-
grams thereof be prepared and presented to the
Board for Its information, and that 1000 copies be
printed.
Alter some minor matters had been disposed of
the Board adjourned.
The quarrel between the Mayor and Comptroller
quickly reached the multitude without, and the
City Hall crowd rejoiced at the probable breach be-
tween these two gentlemen. Some said that Green
wished to cut loose from Havemeyer's leading
strings, while others said that the row u was
merely side show fixed up for the occasion to
throw dust in the eyes OF the other members OF
the Commission-Aes Hackett. Van Schaick and
the Chamberlain.