The New York herald., 1875-11-19
THE BROOKLYN FRAUDS.
Mr.. KinSella Explains His Connection
with the Jobs Complained OF.
HIS SERVICE In THE WATER BOARD
He Believes in the Bridge and the Hon
esty Of Its Projectors.

The HERALD having given in several recent issues
the statements and charges put forth by the Brooklyn
Taxpayers Association including grave allegations
OF fraud against certain leading citizens and with the
desire to give the public both sides OF the story, re-
porter sent to call upon the Hon. Thomas Knsca,
editor OF the Brooklyn Eagle and at time member
OF the Water Board for his statement Of the matters In
The following is the substance OF the
tom
REroRrEE-Mr Kinselia, the HERALD is dcsirous OF
getting whatever you may have say in reference to
certain charges published in that paper, made the
authority Of the Taxpayers Association OF Brooklyn,
and in which your name has been mentioned
Mr.. KrSsELLA-The HERALDs storics-and | say It
with all due Difference to our representative news
papor-arc very old stories, and the questions em-
braced in them have been under discussion in Brooklyn
until had supposed they had been threadbare
years ago. Ny connection with them, in any but a
journalistic capacity, is very remote indeed.
REroRrER-You have been a member OF the Water
Board have you not?
Mr.. KiNsELLA-Yes. Six or seven years ago-I think
It in 1861 asked by my friend, the late
Mayor Kalbcisch TO accept position in the old Water
Board then about to become vacant. It the place
made by the expiration OF the OF the late
Mr. Peter G. Taylor. Before the time for making
the appointment, the Legislature passed an act re-
organizing the Board and enarging powers. Under
this act Mayor Kalbesch made of the appoint
ing power, and was appointed one OF four Commits
sioncrs then, and had been for many years pre-
vously,
EDITOR OF THE EAGLE.
had no idea that the place would interfere with my
duties, but the powers OF the Board extensive
that It did The late Mr. Van Andcn, who was then
sole owner or the Eagle thought the positions in
~; al
ncction with my profession for few months. had
been appointed Water Commissioner for three years at
l think the same salary | then receiving in my
profession. | liked the change and the rest, and
needed the latter Very soon got tired of the place,
and at the end Of few months-hvc or six months,
old position. took advantage OF it and notified Mayor
Kalbneisch OF my intention to resign At his request
held on few months. l think went INTO Office in
the early summer of 1869. BY tho 1st of January,
1870, was back at my old desk here.
REPoRrER-Then you did not serve out your term OF
three years?
Mr. KIxsELIA-No; resigned the place after serv-
ing the time mentioncd-l think from May, 1859. TO
December of the same year
REPoRTER-You editor, then, both before and
after you Water Commissioner?
Mr.. KISsELLA-Why, certainly.
REPoRTER-Was the reservoir contract entered into
while you were Water Commissioner
Mr.. KISsELLA-Not for some years after.
PATENT PAVEMENT JOBS.
REPoRTER-Wcre there any patent pavements con-
tracted for in your time?
Mr. KISsELIA-Yes These pavements found advo-
Gates in Brooklyn, as | think they did
siderable city in the Union The very men who after
ward found fault with wooden pavements their
chief advocates. The Water Roard held number Of
meetings listened TO property owners Tor and against
them the price asked for the different pavcmcnts
well known and the consideration OF the questions
discussed open and above board to extraordinary
degree. | think at last the Board selected two
three kinds of wooden pavement, aud invited compc;
tion among their owners or representatives The
prices asked about the same, and as understood
the price in the aggregate cost per lot about the
same as the cost paid under the special commissions
Other pavements which not patented were laid at
the same time. Atlantic street. from the ferry to
Henry street. Columbia street. Remsen street and other
paved with belgian blocks Tor which there
was the fullest competition
REroRTsR-What about the Guidet pavcment-was
that patented?
Mr. K1ysELLA-It was and Is claimed. am not
sure that any contract made for this pavement
while was in the Board. There may have been
think this is the best and laid by Gudct, perhaps
the cheapest pavement ever laid here. Pavemens
claimed 10 be the laid by other parties since,
and suits pending between the city and Guidet
for infringement OF his patent ! am told Guidct has
obtained verdict in case nearly similar to that in
volved here, in some Western city. These suits may
be Of grave concern to Brooklyn.
REroRTER-Do you remember tho incident of petit
tion being signed for pavement by a score OF people
who were merely trustees for ground owned by the
dspensary?
Mr. KlNsELLA-Ycs, remember criticisng the trick
very severely under what conceived be my duty as
editor. This not in my time in the Board The
trouble
IN THOSE PLUSH TIMES
drive horses for pleasure cspccinlywcre anxious for
good pavcmcpts, and found fault with their neghbors
who were ready to Join them IN getting them
REPoRTER-Was William {. Kingsley connected with
any OF the patent pavemcnts?
Mr. KINsELLA-Not 10 my knowledge. He never
in the Office IN my time 10 my knowledge in connec-
tion with these pavemcnts have heard since that hc
had an interest in the Nicoson Company. The street
on which he livcs-Cumb berland-was paved with
what is known the Miller pavement. So far
know he did not exercise his right property
in favor of that any other pavement that street
any other street.
REPoRTER--l want to ask you what your views
ABOUT THE BRIDGE?
Mr. KINSELLA-l am in no way and never have been
concerned in II, except citizen and Journalist
1t found one OF its warmcst advocates in old
ciate, Mr. Van Anden, and through him induced
cess, but purely outside friend OF the
enterprise. Mr. Van Andcn subscribed SIS, 900 OF his
private means TO the undertaking. and would gladly
have donated IL to see IL successful in his time. He
of the directors, and will not believe that
either he or his associates ex-senator Murphy. James
). T. Stranahnn, General Slocum William G. Kings
ley, joined together TO defraud Brooklyn, any
Brooklyn or outside OF IT, believe the affairs
OF the bridge have been honestly and economically ad-
minlstcred, and would take the word OF any OF tho
men have named rather than the affidavit
OF the only man know that has questioned their
integrity. mean DR. Demas Barnes | believe Kings
eys interest IN the bridge Is public spirited interest
solely II will be completed despite its foes. and on
the day II will unite the two cities there will be
Gin Brooklyn IL Will be so unpopular To assail William
c. Kingsley whose partner, Mr.. kccnoy, and himself
risking large share of their fortune its
cess. believe the completion of the bridge will be
followed by an increase In the value OF property both
cities and in the insurance to New York for all time
of the commercial supremacy she has long main
tanned.