The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-04-30
THE NEWARK RING TRIALS.

City OMcials Giving in their Version
OF the Alleged Conspiracy-ssWhat ID
tho Use OF = City Government ,''-Con-
tractors Having OH1ccs in the City Hall
Buildings.
The Newark Court was again well nlled with
citizens yesterday, who had gathered to hear what
defence the ofnclals and others indicted for con.
spisacy to uefraud the city would put in. The
deepest interest was manifested In the proceed
inQs, ana, as on the proceeding day. the
citizens participated in the trial so far as max.
Ing ono or two attempts at applause when the At
torney General made telling points IN cross-exam-
lining witnesses. Ex-Stroet Commissioner Rogers,
who is new Chief Of Police, and one OF the indicted
parties, was FIRST placed on the stand and his
cross-examination continued. Tie Chief gave his
answers III q slow deliberate and very careful man.
ner. The essence Of his evidence was to the effect
that on discovering, after only q few minutes
observation, however, that the roller would not
work easily on the stone in COMPRISING 1t, he
authorized the nse of dirt, assuming that he had
entire discretionary power in the premises, and
was NOT required to consult any other Oflcia. lie
could not recoect having consulted any official on
the matter, nor that any Official, except himself,
was present when he ordered the devia-
rion from the contract. He accounted
for the large quantity or dirt on Springfield ave.
nue., ly saying that 1t was brought there by cart
wheels from unpaved side streets and from leak
ages in carts engaged in making cellar excava-
lions his orders were to leave only halt an inch
OF dirt sprinkled en- tho stone With shovels from
the carts, and while he was present that
was all that was used. In answer to
question from the Attorney General as to
why ne did not order Orange Mountain trap
rock to be used, knowing that 1t would make
q perfect pavement without requiring the use OF
DIRT as he had previously admitted, he SAID he
permitted bergen trap rock to be used with dirt.
because he thought 1t would make rs good a road
as any other. lie remarked here, however, that
ne had no right to specify wnat KIND OF stone
should PC used; he had had no intimation what
ever from Stalnsby, chairman OF thc Street
Committee, go aboas street matters during
avenue pavement was being laid stalnspy tooK
no more interest In the matter. witness thought,
than any other Alderman. He migut have maze
inquiries au0ut matters the same az any body else.
but there was no special consultation. sta,nsby,
lie sald was III WITNESSES office, at tho City Hall,
frequently. Witness did not know that Stainsby
DEALING IN REAL ESTATE
at that time, nor that he mad any Office for the
transaction OF business except at the City Hall.
The reference Of the witness TO Stansbys real cs-
tate occupation excited laugh CT III the court.
street Commissioner Fiavell ". SULLIVAN, who
succeeded Rogers IN that ONCE in 1872, was next
Fourtccnsn street when he was sworn IN !;
lie had had no experience I'D laying Teiiord pave
pavcment of the KIND IaItl m NewarN ne SAID With
out the use oil dirt His direct evidence Was sub
stantiallt the same as the previous witness. He
was present aJ the meeting Oi complaining prop
erty owners III March, 1873 four months after the
work had been accepted and the final estimate paid
over 10 fhe contractor, ana when letter Was cad
10y sainsby from OConnor, the contractor, wnicn
admitted tnaL the work was not competed, but
would be soon. Et r0ute 70 the meeting Stdinsby
who rode with HIM there In his wagon told him
about the letter, did relate tue substance
ul II. UConnor, lie SAID, mad an office III broad
street, near the City Hall, but the Snanleys had an
Uf1ice
IN THE CITY HALL BUILDINGS.
The witness could not explain To the Attorney
General why IL was that the Shaneys VINO were
nos city officers, had an Office In the place stated
nc could not say who rented them this Office; the
discrepancy in the depth OF the pavement was ac-
counted Tor by me witness by lis stating that it
was washed or into the sewers, IN which he mad
he saiu souud considerable 0fit the same as Rogers
he permitted his pavement TO be alo the eartn IN
stead the stone pavement. as the tract re-
qulred tile gutter stones the whole length OF the
pavement; ne also permitted oirt to be used be-
cnuse ne thought Is would make u better road, and
because mis- predecessor, VINO had given great at
tention to the matter, he said. mad done SO; he