The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-25

Contracts Awarded for street Lamps
The Comptroller Opposes IMmediat

Contracts Awarded for street Lamps
The Comptroller Opposes Immediate
Action.
After repeated adJournments the Gas Commits
soRers. designated under the charter TO advertise
for bids and accept proposals and award contracts
Tor lighting the city with gas, met late yesterday
afternoon In the Mayors Office, the Mayor, Comp
troner and Commissioner Van Mort present Mr..
Morrison, the secretary, read the minutes OF the
previous meeting, which were approved.
Commissioners Van Mort moved that the contract
for removing, setting and adjusting iampposts.
lighting the lamps and Keeping them in repair, be
awarded the New York Gas Company, in their dis
trct their bid therefor being the lowest.
Comptroller Green moved to lay the motion on
the table until a disposition OF the lighting IL
made. az there may be new bids sent in.
Mr.. Van Mort replied that the commission was
here for the purpose Of acting on the bids already
handed In, and not to anticipate new ones.
The Mayor likewise remarked that he could see
no reason why the first proposition SHOULD not be
acted upon at once.
MI. Van Mort could not see what good can be
gained by factiousness-the three officers named
in the law now present were to receive bids which
had been furnished but had not been disposed Of
The law says the bids shall be opened, &C. This
has been done, and 1t is now the duty OF the
Board TO confirm or reject the same. They
mad no right to advertise for new bids If the New
YORK Gas Company Is entitled to the award as
they surely are, they being the lowest bidders
they can OBTAIN the contract from the courts.
The Comptroller tried to justify his actions but
utterly failed. when, on calling the question by MI.
Van Mort, the motion to lay on the table was lost,
Mayor Havemeyer voting with MI. van MORT III
the Affirmative.
the Mayor then put the original motion.
me comptroller stated that, as he had no time
to compare the figures, he would be compelled to
vote "NO.1
Mayor Havemeyer neatedly. to the Comp.
troller)-You have had plenty OF time to examine
and compare the figures as we adjourned our last
meeting Tor this very purpose.
The motion to award was then put and carried,
the Comptroller voting in the negative.
on motion Of Mr.. Van Mort, similar award was
made to the Manhattan Company in their district,
the Comptroller voting mo"
Mr.. van Mort proposed that test vote be had
whether the bid Of the Metropolitan Company be
strictly concerned to the terms of the proposals
invited, by acknowledging their bonds before a
legal tribunal. The Mayor moved to declare the
bid irregular, whereupon the Comptroller proposed
that the bid of the Mutual Company be accepted.
me mOtlOn was carried, Mr.. Van Mort voting in
the negative, and desired to have his vote re-
Mr.. Beardslee, counsel for the Metropolitan,
requested permission to read protest upon
which MI. Van Mort moved to reconsider the vote
just taken, which was put by the Mayor as chair
man. pending which the counsel read his protest,
complied in every respect with the law, furnished
good surety in the sum OF 100000, and in their
Dlu ndlneu u SUN Wnlcu would Oe great saving 10
the city. Commissioner Van Mort moved that the
protest be received and placed on file, which was
adopted, but the motion to reconsider was lost by
the usual vote OF two to One-the Mayor and Comp
trOller against the Commissioner oil Public Works.
Before the last vote was taken Commodore G. X.
Garrison, who was present and represented the
Mutual Gas Company, threateningly remarked
that, II the action concerning the Metropolitan Gas
Company Is reconsldered, his lthe Mutual) com
pany Will not make any new BIDS which, of course
decided the measure at once.
Tne Comptroller proposed that bids be invited te
light the Harlem and the part OF the Metropolitan
| district not awarded. Carried.
Mr.. Van Mort moved that the bids OF George A.
Barney to light two districts be rejected, inasmuct
| as the gas companies had been awarded the con
! tract
Tue Comptroller opposed the motion, which was
| nevertheless adopted, whereupOn the Board adj
! jOurned.
During the session tue greatest animus was ex
| hibited by the Comptroller. He opposed every
| thing offered by the Commissioner of Pubic Works
Among those present at the meeting were Messrs
Augustus Scheii, Commodore Garrison, Oscar Zoiii
couer, Charles Place, ana Others. COMMISSIONS
Van Mort had with him Mr.. Parker, his deputy, an,
| Mr.. Tracey, from his department. The contract 70
| lighting the Harlem district must necessarily b
! awarded to the Harlem company, they having n
| competitors in that territory.