The New York herald., 1876-01-21
A SPICY DEBATE.
noteSt from the Stone
MaSons.
Resolutions Against the Pur.
chase Of Pier IA.
THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE APPROPRIATIONS.


would come up for confirmation Commissioner Of
Public Works The vestibules and halls adjoining the
Aldermen's chamber crowded with largo num-
ber of workingmen.
cAMPnRLL's CONFIRMATION
After the reading OF the minutes of the last meeting
Alderman sEERY moved to take from the table the
munication Of Mayor wickham nominating Mr.. Allan
Campbell for Commissioner Of Public Works. The
speaker highly eulogzed the nominee, stating that he
had known him for a number OF years; that he
of unblemished character and high attanments
an engineer
Alderman BRYAN REILLY did not know Mr. Campbell.
The Board had just rejected the name of General Por
ter for his action in reducing tho laborers wages he
sir Reilly could not consent TO the confirmation OF
Mr. Campbell because he was identified with corpora
tons. The gentleman also connected with a con-
sodated company in Pennsylvania where he paid the
aborers only ninety cents day, and had been dent
fed with the Vanderbilt interest in the Fourth avenue
Improvement Mr. Reilly then moved that the mat
ter Of confirmation be laid for week. pre-
scntcd the following communication in connection
with the subject -
PROTEST STONE MAsoSs
NEW YORK SOCIETY OF Stone MAsoSs,
To THE HONORABLE THE BOARD OF ALDRRaES:-
GEsriEMEE-In behalf OF the above society and tho
working people OF the city of New York, we respect
fully say to your honorable body to whom referred
for confirmation the name of Allan Campbell as Com
missioner of Public Works, first, that in justice to
the class to whom we belong the party whom you
will honor by your approval should not in
the interests Of capital bo the established enemy
labor second that as residents of the CITY OF New
York, we interested in the welfare Of its whole
people, and believe that the prosperity any
munty depends upon the condition Of the laborns
classes; that any attempt TO reduce their limited
wages without corresponding reduction taking place
in the necessaries of life is, in opinion unjus
titled effort to augment their miseries; that this inus
tice has been accomplished through the action OF
Mayor Wickham and the inhumanty of Fitz John
Porter, and that We may be protected from similar
outrage, pray you reject the pending nominee
an avowed opponent to the best interests Of the
sulting engineer Vsnderbilrs Fourth avenue i'm
provement, and urged in his interest the importing of
Canadian workmen TO supply the places OF American
citizens an act which resulted In universal discharge
and reduction OF wages TO starvation rates Respect.
fully yours, DENNIS o,CALLAHAN.
JOHN HOWARD.
Alderman SEERY contradicted the statement that
Mr. Campbell had been Instrumental in the reduction of
the laborers' wages on the Fourth avenue improve
ment. Ho had nothing whatever to do with IT, He
had been simply employed an engineer to superin-
tend the work
Alderman BRYAN REnLY-Is Mr. Campbell con.
tractorY
Alderman SEERy--He is not He has been eng
for forty years He has been President of
ing company in Maryland Tor q number OF years There
has never been strike among the employed by.
him and complaint have been made as the Of
wages paid He has always been identified with the
democratic party. His father was formerly Deputy
Secretary OF State and at time Chairman orthe
Democratic state Central Committee.
Alderman u. RElLLY-l believe the statement of the
gentlemen from the Stone Masons Society who handed
me their communication would like 10 know II Mr.
Campbol has kept out Of the way in order escape
being interviewed on the labor question
Alderman SEERy-He has not have seen him.
Alderman B. REILLy-I wish TO know II Mr.. Camp
bell vii restore the laborers wages TO 81 day
confirm himl
Alderman sRERY called attention to section 100 of
the charter of 1873, which makes II felony for any
public officer TO exact pledge from candidate for
office in consideration oil his vote Deputy Clerk No
loney here read this section of the charter
Alderman b. REnLY-I am not lawyer, but am pos
sessed OF some common not here q
demagoguc, but as friend o. the workingman. am
workngman myself, and have spent the happest
days Of my life in that position. | do not think the
law can be construed in that way. | would ask for
information on this ONT from some Of my colleagues
of the legal profession.
Alter some further debate the resolution to con-
firm Mr. Campbell Commissioner Of Public Works
put Alderman Rey's amendment not beng
Several OF the Aldermen in explaining their votes
made short speeches.
iesson a civil engineer, and had been actively en-
gagged some Of the most important public works in
this city and throughout the country. He was, there
FORE peculiarly fitted for the position Of Comm ssioner
OF Public Works lie had no doubt the gentleman
would give the subject OF labor his earnest consdera-
ton. The Board Of Aldermen was justified in assum-
ing that Mr.. Campbeliwoud not place himself in the
position OF antagonsm TO the legislative branch of the
city government which General Porter admits
dcred his withdrawal proper and necessary
The vote was then taken Mr.. Campbell being con
rmed by 20 in the Affirmative to in the negative, Al
derman Bryan Reilly voting against the continuation
Alderman Gumbeton absent from the meeting
PURCHASE or PIER ~ NORTH RIVER.
Alderman GROSS offered resolution relating 20 ese
proposed purchase of pier "A North River - fol-
lows:-
9n made tie u tie sinking Fund BY lie
5 e pGss 70 S M 81 %
pier = North River sold by the city twenty years a
OOs V0 Is unwss on account high price askse ana
that said purchase should not DC consummhted.
The resolution laid over
POWER OF CONFIRMING APPOINTMENTS AND NoMISA-
ToNs.
Alderman PuRRoY offered the following which was
laid over until the next meeting-
Resolved That the Legislature of the State be and
hereby respectfully requested the Board q Az
dcrmen the power confirm or reject ai sppontmen!s or
Of the city whether tor vaeanc,es % %
ts tI & Ia By repeSng section Of chapter
800 Laws OF 1874
LOCATING DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE AND COURT
GENERAL SESSIONS.
resolution was passed directing the Committee on
Salaries and 0fhces 10 inquire into the feasiohty Of
locating the District Attorneys office and Court Oh
General Sessions the City Arsenal Building corner
OF Elm and Write streets.
THg BRooKLYN RRIDoR APPRoPRIATIors
Alderman MoRRIs offered the following acetious res
olution relative 10 the Brooklyn Bridge, which occa-
stoned considerable laughter
Resolved Tha, this Board Of Aldermen recommends thai
tbs commi.soSers Of the sinking Fund q this city bs
and directed g deed % the Mayor and Board o.
disisns her"naer named fee simple ali he right title
R1odr anS Rspe bridge hs ier on the following
thew have panod large letters each OF the four
sides Of tho New pier he following inscription and
Keep the same in good order for all time 90 come =
'ErTArH
New York Centennial Gin 20 Brneklyn-Ihs monnmen,
a erected in OF the birth Of pair Of
twins born TO the cities Of New York and Brooklyn in the
year 1869 They have already cos. over SooooV,o and
consented adopt educate and clohe them
for free Of All expense 90 the city OF New York.
On motion this resolution handed back to Alder
man Morris, Mr. Gross remarking that he would vote
for the proposition IL the namo or it's author in
serted in the cpitaph.
Alderman CoiR offered the following resolution on the
same subject which referred 10 the Committee on
Finance:-
Resolved That the President Of the New York and Brook
ivn Bridge Company be and he 10 hereby requested
por 70 this Board his earliest convenience statement
showing In detail the of the stockholders
crbers the stock Of the New York Bridge Company
he amount subscribed paid by oach whether ndvldu
ais corporations previous the time o. the passage
l.l...