The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-07-10

states he has earth offered to him free to MI up
these lots with. out VINO knows how much OF this
earth there IS or how many lots iL Will Ill He is
careful TO say nothing on this point We as a
Board, are acting under a charter ana that same
expenditure OF money shall be given out on con-
tract and that is what hold out lor. / am TOO
sufficiently mechanic not 10 know that that kind
OF work can be done cheaper by contract than In
any other way. Another thing watch operated
with me Is the question OF drainage. THINK II Is
WASTE OF LABOR AND MONEY
TO set TO work and NIL these lots until seine pro-
vision has been made IN this regard; for, IN my
opinion, It is no way 10 cover up the ground and
then aiterWafd dig down ana Drain IL. The ques-
ton also arises whether II quantity OF good dry
earth even were put upon these lots there would
be any ameli0ratlon OF the alleged existing
nuisance. In my mind there IS grave DOUBT
about II, for the history or the city SHOWS that
where old streams and ponds have been filed up
ana Guilt upon there exists TO this day a great
amount OF chills and lever and ague, which Is
brought about from the defective drainage.
believe that the first thing TO De done Is 20 in
buIld up the ground. | should rather have pre-
Ierred that the property owners should nave been
notlhea 70 NJ IN me lots themseSes within Ger,
this demand that the city should do tue work.
This, perhaps
WOULD TAKE LITTLE MORE TIME,
but am not aware that there 10 any such imme-
date hurry. did not vote a. did Tor any party
reasons, but simply because considered my DUTY
required me 10 take the stand nave taken. It Is
true was elected by minority vote, yet at the
same time was elected as tue charter provides,
and | therefore consider that | have a
perfect right TO exercise my privilege TO vote as
my conscience dictates, and as consider the well
fare OF the citizens nc large requires me TO- III at
any time an ordinance Is brought forward provld-
ing that the work snan be given out on contract
to the lowest bidder Will voo Tor 10 willingly lt
would ouly require about thirty days difference ia
time. while there would be saving OF money
that would more than tTeby
COMPENSATE FOR THIS SHORT DELAY.
My official lie is rapidly drawing 70 close, and
i mean, while it lasts 10 40 my duty ana vote only
as think right, Independents OF any one or any
party" .
Flanh n
elapse thirty days AT least before the contract
could be awarded. and tsat there might after that
be a delay OF several months ia tue approval OF
the contractors sureties, which would throw the
matter over into the fail. the Alderman said -
IL suppose by that You mean to refer 10. the
Comptroller; bat do not think there is any mem
Der or the city government but wishes and intends
to DO his duty, aad still hold to the contract sys-
tenn"
The dangers to health during the heated term
were again referred TO, but Mr.. Vance saia In re-
ply, that he failed TO see any immediate cause Tor
alarm. lf there Is any" said he le5 the Board OF
Health dislnect the lots. they nave the power TO
do So, and II there is the danger tnaL people talk
aoout let them exercise tnat power. IL would
cost less. and probably be more effective and GER
ta1nly less expensive than filing III by DAYS labor
ALDERMAN sIMoNsoN.
Alderman Smonson who ais0 opposed the pas
sage OF The ordinance, was also visited Yesterday
He like Alderman Vance, stated that he did not
believe there was sucn absolute necessity for any
hats have been there for years, and
have done any great harm, and / DO
tins year. was IN favor Of giving notice to the
| property owners to do their own h1ng In but
still 1! an ordinance providing for 1t TO De done
by contract IL introduced l would vote Tor It, for
! that is the only way such an immense work as
this could be properly and economically per-
| formed. The Commissioner says he has the earth
| offered him; put he does not say how much. II
may be that there Is only enough to spread
over five or six lots. or that after
| a certain quantity has neen used, that the owner
OF the dirt Will tarn round and say he win not Let
any more be carted away unless he be paid Tor It.
| What would be the result Why, the city would
have TO buy 1t, ana then
WHAT WOULD THE COST BE
No enc can tell. 1t would he one OF the biggesr
pacers ever known, ana [ !or one am not willing
to cast my vote giving such vast power to
any one man. IL Will be found the cheap.
est In the end, as well as the quickest
way, TO let the work by contract. The delay EBat
would arse in perfectlng these contracts would
be trInlng compared with the interests involved.
Besides, 90 not see that there Is any such great
nuisance as some people MAKE out. oiten 90
out tnat way and never hnd anything so very dis
! agreeable, although must say there Is Que place
when looks ike pool Of stagnant water, whleh
| may
| OCCASIONALLY GIVE OFF OFFENSIVE DOORS
! Let the Board OF Health deod0rlZe the ground
! and even that expense would be money saved
/ compared with wnat 1t would cost to do the i'll
! ing ID by days work as put against contracts
| i THINK | nave uDdOuoted right 10 vote IN
| the Board as | think proper. II Is no reason thar
! because was elected by what IS called minority
| vote tnaL
I SHOULD BE sTuLTIPIED
/ and blndy follow the lead OF majority. sup.
! posing they voted 10 pay out a million or more o
| she city funds among themselves; would be DO
ing my duty to support tnetA 7 No. should not
Well why should IN THIS case vote the way they
do Ii belleye It wrong2 have the welfare OF tne
city at heart and will not go against my convic
tons for any one. l always try 10 do right aud
am led by no one."