The New York herald., 1874-11-24
COMPTROLLER GREEN AND COMms-
SIONER VAN HORT.

n City Contract and What It Brought
Forth-Exa minatton Before Mayor
Havemeyer.
There IL An objection raised by Comptroller
Green TO . bin OF charles Devlin, contractor. for
some $4,000. This objection has led to various
and peculiar rumors In connection with other
singular statements noating around the City Hall
lately Is II intimsted that opposition to the bill
comes from the Comptroller simply on the ground
OF his enmity 20 Commissioner Van Mort, who
gave out the contract for this particular work IN
April 1873.
There was q sewer to be built In Seventh ave-
nue. between 123d and 124th streeta Mr.. Devlin
Is a well known contractor, and has figured for
years In public arairs where his business tact was
brought into requlsition. Mr.. Van Mort, IN
the usual manner (atrer properly adverts-
ing for bids), 1t Is claimed awarded the
contract to Mr.. Devlin for building
this sewer. When the work was completed Mr..
Devlin applied to Comptroller Green for MS
money. The guardian Of the city's treasury who
has 80 distinguished himself In providing impedi-
ments for all claims, whether Just or unjust. sent
ns examiner, Mr.. McConkey, to look over the
work. In order that he might report as to Its
efficiency. II is stated that some OF Mr.. Devlin's
workmen sent Mr.. McConkey about his business.
Mayor Havemeyer then came upon the scene, and
uthpdtCuou bOmc pOLCCMcu Wy w AoASS oAA 49,
trance into the sewer but they were subsequently
Withdrawn after reconnoitring the situation. Gen.
eral Van Mort next threw out skirmisrers who
reported that the work had been done perfectly,
except Q rev feet OF ROCK which did not amount to
much and which has since been attended to. Mean.
time Judgment was obtained for the $54 600. Cor
poration Counsel Smith stated TO the Comptroller
that there was defence TO the action. The Comp
troller still remained Obdurate, and then Mr..
Strahan, counsel for Mr. Devlln, came for
ward demanding an examination OF the entire
before the Mayor. Yesterday the Important
court was held before His Honor IN the executive
chamber, there being present Commissioner van
Mort Comptroller Green, Examiner McConkey.
Deputy Comptroller Earle, MIR. Strahan and
Others
So distinguished gathering led to surmise, and
It was rulnored, along with oil other rumors
which fitted through the air for the past few days.
that this move Of the Comptroller was in the na-
ture OF charges against the Commissioner OF Public
Works, with view to his removal. that the con.
tract was irregular. and tnar hundreds OF others
were In the same predicament. SO much for sur
mise.
Mr.. Green was asked to produce what testimony
and the irregularity OF the contract Generals
Tracy and Towle were put on the stand and testi-
fled as to the ehictent manner in which the work
was done. Their testimony was cOrrObOrated by
Others Then Comptroller Green stated that ne
had received information as to the antedatlng OF
the contract. Mr.. Barker OF the Public Works De-
partment testined TO the validity Of this part OF
pertnacity, wanted an adjournment In order 70
examine further into the matter OF date. This
request was granted, and the proceedings were
adjourned over until to-day.