New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-07-25
LOCAL MISCELLANY.
MUNICIPAL WRANGLING.

The Board of Estimate and AppOrtlonment
held a meeting yesterday. There we're present the |
Mayor the Controller and Messrs. Wheeler and Vance
The Controller objected the approval of the inmates
Of the last meeting and moved that they be laid over
until he had had time examine the resolutions pro
posed that time These were Important because they
laid foundation for large assessments in the future
He thought that his motion proper one. As the |
financial Officer OF the city he was charged with the
of providing the money called for and be wished
70 examine the matter thoroughly.
Mr. Wheeler said the original copy Of the resolutions
lad been Controllers Office since the meeting
The Controllers amendment was lost he and the Mayor
voting lin the affirmative and Messrs. Wheeler ana |
Vance the negative The motion TO approve the MN
utes was lost by the same The Mayor SAID thN nc
voted 10 lay the resolution on the table because Tue
Controller bad given his reasons and IL wou'u ho' VIC
courteous TO him. as he had all the responsibility U" 's
head, not allow him the opportunity OF inspecting
them before they became binding. He did not suppose
there was any sinister design the Controllers asking
70 read them, and there opportunity to do so
sluoe the meeting. Mr. Vance asked whether there
any inaccuracies in them. The Controller repned
that there might be for all he knew.
MI Green called attention to the large sums required
Ior the aborers on the Boulevard There 500 more
men employed there this week than In the correspond
ing week last year, and the cost amounts TO 100000
month. Now there being question of Issuing bonds 10
meet the Boulevard pay-ros, 1t was time TO look ater
part OF the city, and not press the other works
uuday. He moved that the Controller be authorized TO
issue $4,000 bonds from time to time, as re-
CURED. This was adopted by unanimous vote. A
resolution adopted awarding DR.. Hammond S4Ss for
professional services.
The Controller read long preamble reciting the fact
that number OF assessments had been vacated by
the courts the OF which had been thrown on the
city and introducing a resolution that the Board
awaited the reply OF the Commissioner of Public WORKS
10 resolution adopted in June last calling for his estl-
OF the amount Of money required 10 complete tue
works on which these assessments had been vacated
An explanation was made by Mr. Wheeler the Secre'
tary. by which it appeared that the Commissioner OF
Pubhc Works had received certified copy Of the
resolution.
The Controller thought that this neglect of the duties
Of the position ineXcusabe. Mr.. Wheeler said that
had attended TO the duties Of the position He would
attend 10 this matter. The Controller thought he should
either attend to the duties the position resign it TO
come one else.
Tie Mayor said the Secretary had spoken 10 him OF
his desire 10 resign. have some one else appointed
IL stead. The Controller subjected TO consider
uhe personal by reason of the papers OF
Board being Of his Office aud under the control
o persons attached TO his office He was disposed
10 relieve the Secretary of his position, and appoint
some gentleman who would have no reason to fad fault
with the administration Of the Office. lie therefore
moved that the Board proceed TO choose Secretary
lie moved that the Controller act Secretary Of the
Board.
vote was taken the Mayor and Controller in the
affirmative and Messrs. Vance and Wheeler IN the neg
The Controller explained that he voted for him
sf because he thought the proposed arrangement was
desirable On motion il was resolved that MI Wheeler
should continue 20 act Secretary. Mr. Wheeler com
laned of the Inconvenience caused BIZ the papers being
left III the Controllers Office. The papers should be in
lis custody as Secretary. The Mayor said that he
always voted in the OF the public. and never
considered questions frOm Green Wheeler. Vance, or
Kelly view.
tho c1,o nj how
10 the papers; he opposed. also to merging an IN
dependent Board another. The Controller said his
position one OF great responsibility. He
bound TO verify everything before he
sICutd, and he could not do this unless he
allowed fun opportunity to examine the docu-
mcnts IL agreed AT the last meeting that the
papets should be left on the table that he might ex-
anime them, and on some prctext they were removed
lie asked 10 be allowed time aud opportunity TO
Nj Wheeler said tuat all this unfair to the Secre
tary the resolutions as TO those bonds were precisely
tlose read the meetings, and the Controller could
have them for examination any moment By sending "a
The Controller said it was not bis duty TO inspect the
and whether they were correct before sign
lug It the gentlemen thought they lad sufficient
character 10 Justify their conduct before the pubic he
MI Wheeler said if he act secretary he must
custody OF the papers. Turning TO the Mayor,
Dc sn6 " offered to resign IN January last and ycg
low can he a check unless have the papers T. The
Controller again pressed his motion that III. Wheeler
should continue TO act a. Secretary.
MI Vance raised the point OF order that the motion
Mr.. Wheeler said the whole object seemed TO be to
force him out OF The SECRETARY ship for some reason He
be forced out OF it, Tie Mayor ruled that the point OF
well taken, and the discussion thus closed
The Controller offered resolution. calling the pub
Ic institutions entitled to city allowances To send IN
their claims for 1875 by stpt. l. motion was made
mat IL was time TO begin with the public departments
aud institutions thus early but LIS protest was un-
department of Parks approving ne opinion OF the Cor
Counsel IN reference 10 the action of the Board
Ui Estimate ana App"rtionueut ~ cutins down tine ap
ITOyrlatons made by the Department OF Parks
read 10y the secretary. The opinion of the Corporation
remarked the clause winch had been declared null
invalid by the Counsel 10 the Corporation. and
other fund The $4,000 appropriated by the Beard
the cOniOut act Of two members OF the Board ana
called upon them 10 clear he confusion which he asserted
they had caused. Mr.. Vance proposed TO read com
municatlOn addressed by himself and Mr. Wheeler 10
Cob s6ebbins The Controller said that any COM
iDuDicauOn of the kind was utterly useless 10 the Board
for relieving them OF the difficulty IN which they were
MI Vance did not think the argument OF the counsel
"a the Corporation at all conclusive: at was simply
that tbe whole course Of through day
attended 10 place Mr.. wheeler and himself III false
The Controller said be understood very well the policy
Of saying that he throwing INSTRUCTIONS in the way
OF the municipal government The whole trouble had
ARISEN from The Ignorance OF members OI the BOard
bl for 1900 for services sent IN BY Dexter A. Haw
er ~ the man was laid over for eSai opinon
The board adjourned to meet at the call Of the chair
DEPARTMENT MANAGEMENT CRITICISED.
10 tie Edit0r Of The Tribune.
SIR: The communication of Mr.. Vance and
John Wheeler Col Henry G. stebbins states that
necessary officials employed by the Department OF
Pubic Parks The efforts OF these gentlemen IN the
Board Of AppOrtonment have already cut of 20 per
cent OF the uuderpad clerks OF the FL
Department, who previous TO the reduction re-
ceived average OF salary Oueuding Controller and
heads OF buresu 500 per annum less than the employees