New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-05-15

Board has replied vigorously TO the accusations
made against them.
RESULTS OF RECENT LEGISLATION.
JOHN J. sTRAuAN DIRECTED TO BRING SUITS AGAINST
THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE NEW COURTHOUSE
CHARGES WHICH A SUPERVISOR OUGHT TO SUB
sTANTIATE OF WITHDRAW.
special meeting of the Board OF super
yisors was held in the Aldermens Room in the City Hall
M Yesterday for the purpose of considering ques-
mons arising under the Consolidation Act supervisor
Vance presided. Recorder Hackett stated that nc
wished TO say, his responsibility that the ia"
constituting the old Board Of Supervisors had never
been repealed, either directly or by implication IL GER
tainy had not been directly repealed and the law ala
not favor repeal by duplication. He felt some delcacy
In appearing in the Board of which some supposed he
was no longer member; yet as he believed that nc sun
was a member-and able lawyers agreed with him IN
the opinion matters Of great Importance might
be transacted, he felt il his duty TO be present.
On motion OF Supervisor McCaherty, Recorder HACK
etts name called member OF the Board super
visor Monhoimer offered the following:
WAersa. His Honor the MAYOR has fled cif PupoT;ng 20
Kmin H. shaw o the and completion Of the
n.s Colai CON- 1o1s, 1 y To- Ee sueh sppcttmeats by
provisions the amendments the CHATTER enacted at the recent
TS-sa I,doGsj whether and authority
hr by ,hc Legislature OF we've by any provision 0i IA" 'ese IN
WHOA the said persons aforesaid Commission
provided b Law Tor the Of said build
en-. IN rect Of he cre aud cono building and
Hl.''e Sqh semen 81 uS SO sSs pTerSs5 aai duties
lbs Board changed b law Will tie and maintenance Of
sae-a rie assumption ,nd exercise Of ueh power i ieeS will
county % and unnese.s1r eaea'q5ss sTe DC on be-
his Board prosecute such acuon or actions a ne may deem
.oP,i to % , P sTay S5aD 5s Roar I and also a view
obtaining early al cation OF tie question Of the egt OF thi
Commissioners completion Of said building
Supervisor Glon said that matter Of that kind ought
e. be referred legally constituted counsel of the
Board-he Corporation Counsel II the resolution were
amended by the substitution of E. Delafed Smith for
J. H. strahan he would vote for it.
Supervisor Monheimcr said that he should certainly
oppose anv change Mr.. Smith had already given an
opinion which he regarded as manufactured opinion
1t was folly to think of applying 10 him. the only way
was 10 into the courts and have the rights OF the
Board clearly defined.
Supervisor Ouendorier thought that if the matter
were to Dc adudcated il ought 70 be brought into the
courts by the Commissioner Of Public Works, TO whom
the care Of the public buildings was given by the
Consolidation act Supervisor Monheimer was not will
ing TO concede that point Supervisor OtendOrer said
that Board ought TO assume that tha law was const
tutional until some court should decide otherwise ST.
pervisor Monhemer answered that the Legislature had
passed supplement supplement to the Consolida
on showing that they evidently did not believe IN
their own work.
new Board OF Courthouse Commissioners If they con-
fined themselves 10 their legitimate work They had
been appointed 10 complete the new Courthouse, out
there was appropriation for the purpose they could
only draw their salaries Of $500 each, with 5000 Tor
their clerk. because there was no appropriation
that the Commissioners had not been confirmed when
their names went Board Of Aldermen. He for one
would not the point of the legality OF their ap-
pontment il thew would not claim rights which did not
belong to them.
supernteudent Cooper said that il clear that the
had been appointed for the sole purpose
Of taking and maintenance OF the Courthouse
out Of the hands the Supervisors and the Department
%; Public Works. Since the Corporation counsel had
already decided that the Consolidation act was consti-
tutiona and that the appointment Of the Commission
ers legal ne thought II best 20 put the matter into
the hands o; who would give correct opinion
aud one IN accordance with the views Of the Board
Supervisor MOnheimcr offered a letter which Was
read from the Controller TO the Board OF Supervisors,
wTten 10 l N when ye a h9 had OF
me me 91th hon 1s" BELONGED to the SUPERVISORS
supervisor McCaferty said that the reason that
t beep co"fTned 6S the Board q Aldermen when
nominated by the Mayor in lS3 was that the Board did
The building being a county building; soon as the
Consolidation act the Aldermen the power TO con
the Mayor fastened TO withdraw the names ana at
appointed the same men, THIS was sharp practice
snTer1isor Van schaick said that the Court house
Commissioners were as honest men as could be found
but Tue 1ohdOer Mmo hu Sad vae nno them "a
demand the keys the auitOr and TO Insist on the
right Of appointing the employees. lie discaimed any
desire on the part OF the Board 10 keep control Of these
petty Offices; but lie wished the responsibility TO rest
where Il belonged under the law which was with the
Comms siouer Of Public Works, II the Consolidation act
was constitutional.
supervisor MouheimeT asked II the gentleman was
ready vote FOR the impeachment Of the Mayor. Su
peryisor Van Schaic answered, Yes, If circumstances
demand IT," Supervisor Morris favored the resolution.
The MAYOR had said that lac had appointed the Commits
sloners complete the Courthouse not 10 take care
OF it,
supervisor G.on insisted that the matter should be
referred 10 the Corporation Counsel and moved TO
amend By substituting his name FOR that OF Mr.. Stra
nan Supervisor Van Schack said that be prepared
40 say and prove that the Cooperation Counsel would
give any opinion, Just his interests lay Supervisor
(noD Objected such remarks about public officer by
my member Of the Board. lac President decided the
point not well taken
Supervisor Van >chack added that hc had asked Mr.
Smith for opinion not long ago and MI smith had
asked. " How would you ike 10 have the opinion
made - lie aid not see how with any self
respect could refer public question to him.
Recorder HaCkctt said; II the remarks OF the Super
visor TO the incompeency Of the Corporation
Board by Their act made him their legal adviser; If he
A. unit they should exercise the power with
draw him from the position. II Mr.. Strdhan is much
ut, then lie should be made the legal counsel
this body.
The amendment was lost by vote OF 4 20 H. The
resolution then adopted by vote OF 10 TO super
vsors Billings, FalcoDer GIOn, OttendoTieT and Vance
voting IL the negative.
TAXPAYERS lOVERBURDENED.