The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-08-08
"THE DEUCE TO PAY"
Lab0rers and Clerks Included
in the List.
A Breese in the Board Of Apportionmsnt-A
stop-Coek on the Finance sluice Gatss--
Only epigot Hole at Work-The
Mayor w. Gresn-"Author-
ity Of Law"-
500 Day.


Supervisory assessment investigating committee
had a very interesting session, in the course Of
which some peculiar developments were made.
Nothing OF particular interest transpired in the
civic departmental realm until the meet
ting of the Board OF Estimate and Ap-
portionment at three O'Clock. There were
then present the Mayor, Comptroller, Presl.
dent wheeler of the Department OF Taxes
and Assessments, and President Vance, OF the
BOard OF Aldermen-a full Board
The first business ensued on the calling no OF
communication relative to the salary OF Mr. Sparks
as Clerk OF the Court OF General Sessions and as
Clerk Of the Court OF Oyer and Terminer.
The Comptroller said that, under the charter, no
person could hold and receive pay for two ofices.
He thought this objection would sufflce In this
case. After brief reference to the laws on the
subject the matter was laid over
COMMISSIONER VAN Norris
requisition for an appropriation to pay the labor
ers employed in laying the big Croton mains IN
Tenth avenue, and for other purposes, was then
called up.
The Comptroller stated, as matter of information
that this requsition was not received until two
days after the last meeting OF the Board, and that
1t calls for an appropriation Of 100000. This
amount was for the laying OF Croton pipes. There
had already been 81, 600 600 expended In this Gro
ton big pipe business, and now the call is for
$4,000 more,n for which bonds OF the city are to
be issued.
President Vance thought 1t desirable that this
Board should have an estimate prepared Of the
cost OF the work for which this $2000 900 had been
expended, and the amount Of work done. He felt,
for one, that it was -
to know, before acting further in the matter, how
much had been expended in the matter how much
was yet to be done and how much more money
would be necessary to complete the work.
The Mayor said he was decidedly Of the opinion
that the Board should know where this thing had
begun, how far it had gone and where 1t was
going to stop.
President Vance said that in the present matter
be believed the work to be paid for had been done,
and that the money asked for on the requisition
was due to the workingmen employed.
The Mayor asked the Comptroller how long 1t
would take to prepare estimates. He did not think
600 had been expended, and that &10O, 900
would carry on the work for period Of two weeks
President Wheeler suggested that Commissioner
Van Mort be requested to appear before the
Board, and that the Board hear his statement.
THE COMPTROLLER M0vED
the adoption Of resolution authorizing the issue
OF Aqueduct Alterations Stock to the amount OF
$3.50 600.
on motion OF the Mayor the resolution was ex-
tended SO as to call upon Commissioner Van Mort
Tor estimate oil the amount Of work already
done and how much more money would be re-
CURED TO complete it. and the resolution was then
adopted.
President Wheeler then presented a requisition
from Messrs. Howe and Bowlend Commissioners
be made for additional clerk hire, &c. They needed
the services OF three clerks, one at q salary OF
ot he above rates 1 ne m 70 1 the en s
Of January next. Also $500 for stationery and
$1,000 for contingent expenses.
Tile Comptroller moved to lay the requisitiOn
over
President Wheeler said it was absolutely neces
sary that this appropriation should be made at
once. These commissioners had not single clerk
at present and yet they were expected to inspect
and revise the books Of the departments at least
ONCE IN THREE MONTHS.
under the law In order to do this they mad to
examine the laws under which the various moneys
had been expended, and it would be physical i'm
possibility Tor any two men living to do the work
unaided.
The Comptroller said the law directed these men
to do certain duties, and provided that they should
receive q certain salary therefor. He did not
know where there was any provision OF law
thorizing any other expenditure OF money for this
The Mayor said that in his Judgment where
law directed the performance OF a certain duty il
carried with 1t the implied authority to incur any
just and reasonable expense for the ful6ment
OF the obligation. If the law directs anything to
be done which incurs expense there is at once the
authority Tor the expenditure.
President Wheeler, as er oDscto member OF the
Commission OF Accounts, hoped the appropriation
would be made ut once.
The Mayor think the views I have just ex.
pressed are both
COMMON LAW AND COMMON SENSE
Commissioners Howe and Rowland then ap-
peared and made brief statement OF their re-
aurcments, in the course OF which they exhibited
gated, rs one item OF their work only the Issue
and expenditure OF the proceeds Of seventy-fve
President Wheeler moved the adoption Of resO
luton making the appropriation.
The Comptroller moved to lay the matter over.
The Mayor-Oh, WELL ii tins is to be laid over
want day set Tor it-not laid over indefinitely.
the Comptroller said that he wanted to examine
the law. lie didn't see at present any authority
Of Jaw for the appropriation.
The Mayor-Well, then, am for doing 1t
WITH OR WITHOUT LAW,
or under the law we have got which directs this
work to be done. If the law directs docks to be
built the Dock commissioners are not expected to
do the work at their own expense, even II they do
get salaries. The work must be done though,
and the money must be raised to meet the
and there are thousands of things that both you
and do that we have no law for, yet they have to
- The S Ccmptroiler~i don't. have authority Of
president Wheeer-Do you have authority Of law
for everything you do connected with your depart
The Comptroller-I think have.
1t was then, alter short discussion, resolved to
adjourn until Monday next the hearing OF this
THE OFT DEFERRED APPROPRIATION
for salaries in the Office Of Supervisor Disbecker
was then called up by President Wheeler.
on motion OF Oolnptroller Green IL was resolved
fund for special contingencies.
The Board then adjourned until Monday, at two
O'Clock.
After the adjournment, Comptroller Green said
he could let the Commissioners Of Accounts have
considerable clerical aid II they desired It, and also
spoke to Messrs. Howe and BOwend on the subject.
As Mr.. B0wlend turned to leave the Comptroller
and return to his desk Mr.. BowlInd said, a don't
see how we can accept any assistance from you"
IL appears that the law did not directly make
any provision to supply the commissioners with
stationery, 30 that II the Comptroller furnishes
even
PAPER, PENS AND INK
to these gentlemen he will be acting without 'au-
thority OF the law" They are now investigating
the books OF the Comptr0ller's Department and the
the Department OF Taxes and Assessments, though
President Wheelei's courtesy furnishes them with
desk room.
Both OF the Commissioners are aversc TO receiv.
ing clerical aid from the Comptroller, for they say,
and with great propriety, that the clerks assigned