The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-05-03

Scene In tho Newark Common Council
Chamber-Tho Prosecutions Of Public
Men. lG ga8
The usually dull routine proceedings OF the New.
ark Common Council were interarded on Friday
night by an intensely dramatic scene, In which
Alderman william Stainsby. one Of tho Newark
city officials, ON trial Tor alleged conspiracy 20
deiraud the city In the matter OF the Springfield
avenue pavement, was the chief actor. In pre-
senting to the Council some final estimates for
work done BY contractors on Central avenue, ~.
stainsby expressed the wish that resolution
would be passed providing that the passing Of mai
estimates upon the certificate OF the City surveyor
and Street Commissioner should pc done only alter
presentation 10y the President Of the Council. Tho
Alderman hoped also, ne said, that no other Alder
man wonld ever be placed in the trying ordeal he
was passing through before the Court, and then
proceeded to explain what he considered the up-
Justness OF holding the chairman or Q committee
responsible for any mistakes which might be made
by the paid city officials, whose duty it was TO see
that work was done properly and then certify the
bills During the past month he had been placed,
he said, In the U&46fr
MOST HUMILIATING POSITION rNW
because OF having signed estimates % other
Aldermen had done. Something should be done
to prevent the possibility OF other Aldermen
being placed in the disgraceful position ne f0und
himself In. Mr.. Stalnsby spoke with great emo
ton and was followed in similar strain BY Alder
man Reynolds, who said that, In his opinion, Q
great deal OF injustice mad been done Mr.. Stalnsby
by the pubic prints and even by the c0urt&
Aldermen could not be expected 10 take visual
notice OF every brick and stone used the city.
Ii WAS the paid of1cer OF the city who should be
held responsible not the unpaid Aldermen, any
Of whom were just as liable as stainsby 10 b
Mr.. Stainbys suggestion
Stainsby again arose, vfsiby affected, and said
that he was tue first chairman OF the street Com
mittee who caused final estimates to come before
his committee first for signature for better safe
guard. No Alderman mad ever withheld mis- sigma
ture from contract or estimate when certified BY
the paid officers Still he mad been brought be-
fore the courts and subjected to all sorts or COM
ments and suspicious. He supposed he would have
to sat in court next Wednesday, he SAID (reterrinQ,
doubtless, to the summing up OF the prOsecut,onl
and near for hours "a man backgua me-" and
all because he had done what other Aldermen had
done-'paid faithful attention TO the interests Of
he disgraced he had been, and not only
him but his family. The Alderman was greatly
affected throughout his remarks, and by the time
he closed completely broke down, sunk into his
seat, covered has lace with his hands, and sought
relief In Hood OF tears There was . pause when
be affected CONSIDERABLY. The silence was broken
BY Alderman O'Connor, who echoed the sentiment
OF Alderman Reynolds sympathizing wltn their
colleague trial. MIR. O,COnnOr SAID in his on.
hand way, amid much laughter, that ne could not
see why any charge should be made against an
Alderman for signing estimates. 1t was wrong to
bring such charges, and he would say 1t "wheLher
the Court liked 1t or not"
No action was taken on Mr.. Stainsby's sugges-
ton. sNe4