New-York tribune., 1873-02-25
CHEAP REFORM IN BROOKLYN

! SESSION or THE COMMITTEE or ONE HUNDRED
THE BOARD or WORKS AMPLY DEFENDED.
The Brooklyn Committee of One Hundred
tho Academy Of Music Iast evening and III mem
ber, least the majority OF those present, seemed
determined se every proposition FOR tbs publicity OF
their proceedings.
This action was accounted for in the course Of the
meeting which have been held IN the Interest
OF the Board Of Works. Immediately upon the organi
zatIon, Col A. C. Davis moved that the Committee
should hold open meeting, and that the injunction oi
secrecy should be removed from the proceedings.
Samuel Mclean opposed the motion, saying that the
disputes that occurred the last meeting and the char
acter o the proceedings such as 30 forbid publicity
Col Davis replied that the friends OF the proposition for
open meeting had nothing to conceal that they made
no charges that not susceptible OF proof and that
it was due to the citizens Brooklyn that full publicity
should be given. TIE motion for open session
lost.
Resolutions were presented and after some amend
adopted These resolutions censured the CITY Tax
Collector for falling to turn bis daily receipts Of
taxes as required by law and the Corporation Counsel
was requested take such action might be
to compel the Collector Of Taxes to fulfill the require
meuts Of law.
The Law Committee stated thay ~ was urprepared %
report on the subject Of the stroeceanng contracts
and that Il il ready the report would effect
nothing the Board OF Works had advertised the con-
Mr. Needham called up his resolutions ceusuring the
Board OF Works. The Chairman ruled that they could
not 10 entertained, they had been referred % the
Law Committee. A motion for their recall was made.
The first resolution to the effect that the action Of
the Board of Public Works in awarding the recent
streetcleaning contract for a sum larger than was
authorized by law unwse. and that the expenditure
OF $4,000 than required LAST year was unwar
rantable.
The resolutions also declared that IL the duty Of
the Board Of Public Works limit its expenditure for
street cleaning 25)O). and to award the Contracts to
the lowest bidder upon specifications Of plain aud
busness-iike character.
Mr. Mclean attacked the resolutions and on his no
ton they we're amended, and finally passed in miti-
gated FORM declaring simply that the recent award OF
the street-ceaning unwise and that the
expenditure for cleaning purposes should DC miteu 10
Mr. Mclean took occasion TO defend earnestly the
Board Of Public Works the members OF whicn ne cnar-
acerzed of spotiess character as public officers
nonred the cbarges OF fraud which he said were banded
about without specification lie asked Col Davis 70
Col. DAVIS. in replying said that the action Of the
Commissioners Of Works bore the evidence or fraud
upon It's The specifications for the contracts We're
drawn 10 admit OF fraud, and, under certain or
euui5ances to preclude the lowest bidder from iuning
his contract
Col Davis adverted 10 the statements Of the contract
who appeared before the Committee, and showed
ftom them that there were ample opportunities Tor
fraud. he also said thai within sx months leading pol
itcians had become identified with the scrnshaW Com
pan and he charged that the bids OF favored contract
Ors evidence before the Committee, lad
been altered in amount after tho bids were opened
Col. Davis further dehcd Mr.. Mclean or any other
friend OF the Board OF PIbhc Works, 90 shOw mat ther
actions entirely ustiable, but on the contrary ne
asserted that they wore the appearance or uaud he
was opposed secret Investigations, and was 0pn0sed
10 the amended resolutions which had so iar 0st Je
strength of which had been offered to amount
70 a whiteWashing
several gentlemen spoke in defense Of the Board OF
Works. Mr. Perry said there fraud evident ana
that DC made difference % him whotneF certain DIs
Tor changed or not after they were put n
The discussion led various admissions on the part OF
the ienas Commissioners, ana the cOnt 50 IN the
Committee assumed 4 political sgDinc lnce. as the
Democrats aud Liberal Republicans united IN the eHOrt
TO publish proceedings OF the Committee ana 70 ad-
mOnish the Board OF Works It's duty ia awarding
the contracts tomorrow.
Mr. Mclean, who Is q member Of the Republican Gene
raj Committee. and the other Republicans present.
SOUGHT defend Board Works and 70 excuse its
meuDgIs ceuSuTe.