New-York tribune., 1875-03-10
DAYIN THE CITY DEPARTMENTS.

ANANGRY CONTRACTOR THREATENS TIE CONTROLLER
WITH vIoLENCE-ANOTHER CHARGE OF UNLAw-
YUL DETENTION AGAINST THE POLICE CoMMIs-
sIONFRs-EXCITEMENT OVER A FRIENDLY CALL
BY THE MAYOR AT POLICE HEADQUARTERS-A
PRAYING BAND AT THE BOARD OF EXCISE
Edward j. Qurk, contractor, who has done
large amount Of city work during the past six years.
called yesterday the Controllers office and demanded
payment OF a balance which he claimed to be due him
on an old contract which the Controer has refused TO
nav Tie contract was a special enc. given by William
NJ Tweed under the authority OF an act OF Inc egsia
ture passed during the latter part OF the rule OF the Ola
Tammany Ring. for opening. regulating and grading
One thirty fthst from Eghth-ave To The
Harlem RIVER at cost of sl76s53 rs. There
was paid on the work the sum Of s123,s9s AZ,
leaving balance due OF >62osS 3d. This amount
has due for the past IS mouths soon after the
death OF John &. Heenan, the pugist, J0hn Graham'
acting as counsel for Mrs HeenaD. claimed onethrd oi
the amount on the ground that the work was done by
Ouirk, Henry w. Genet, and John C. Heenan in copart
nershlp 1t was alleged, by the city, that the price
charged was out Of all proportion to the work DONE and
tho matter WAS referred the Commissioners appointed
TO supervise this class Of contracts Tho bill for the
work vas confirmed. the provisions OF the law having
been complied with. Qurk has made many demands
for payment Of the balance OF the claims and mas Deen
refused by Controller for the reason that the claim
or Mrs Heenan has yet been settled by the courts
When Qu.rk again demanded payment OF his claim
Yesterday he was told that the matter was still in
litigation He then became very violent. He &C.
panded 10 see the Controller and declared that lie
would attack that Official whenever and wherever ne
met him. He evidently under the Influence of
Ionor lie endeavored break INTO the apar Inent Oi
the Controller. but before he could do so he was TAKEN
into custody ny policeman In the ponce s,alon u ~
the City Hall Qurk very violent He declared that
Lincoln and james fisk. ir., had met with violent
ceaths and reason why tne controller shOud
not also When hts passion had subsidized somewhat nc
was taken before Justice kIbreIh, at the IL nOs VINO
Aned him $40 disOrderly conduct ana held MN 10
ba in the sum Of $500 keep the for six months
Josenb y pray aud Levi Wahng. accompanied by
their counsel Horauo F. Averil, yesterday appeared
before the Mayor and made formal complaint against
Tle Police Com uIssoners This complaint charged the
Commissioners with having unlawtniiy detained them
at Police headquarters Pray and WaiDR were arrested
on lie charge OF completely in the stealing OF horse,
and they aege that they were detained al Pohce mead
quarters for u days. and then were taken bef0re
1nagistrate and discharged. The MayO said he would
ask for an explanation from the Police C0mmsslOneIs,
and investigate the matter . >s,
Yesterday and it was rumored that he had come 10 dis
cuss police business with the Commissioners. COmhls-
sioner Voorhis in the basement paying of the
sreetceanlng gangs, and Commissioner DlsOecher was
away attending TO the work OF cleaning the streets
Mavor Wickham saw President Matsell and Commits
soner Duryee, however, and was WIN them IOr more
than an hour After he mad gone President Matsell said
that the Mayor made only friendly call that they
had chatted pleasantly and socaDly ABOUT me current
topics OF the day. that there had been mention OF
matters relating police business nor 10 the charges
preferred against the Commissioners P0lcaI matters
were not spoken Of and the Mayors visit had no sgn
The Excise Commissioners waited upon yester-
day by Mrs Rebecca Collins, President of the Womans
Temperance Union; Mrs. ii. f. Brown, Vice-Presdent
and Mrs. s. A. McCess b. Dickerman, C. Il. Latimer,
and W K Moore members Mrs. Collins said 10 Com
mssioners steiner Marshall and Stewart that the Com
mittee hal understood that Committed or the Liquor
Dealers were upon the Board and ask for re-
axaton OF the present gorOus enforcement OF the Ex
else law Commissioner Steiner SAID that the Board
shoud enforce without favor eher 10 the quOr
dealers or to the temperance party. The Committee
offered prayers for the success OF the
to which respectful attention was gwen ana tnen de-
parted.