The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-06-05
CITY HALL OUARRELs.
Some Queer Phases OF the Aldermen's --latest
struggle for PATRONAGE.

The Aldermen continued, yesterday, the
war that they began week ago upon Commits
sioner Campbell OF the Department of Public
Works. Alderman Shells presented two petit
lions from property owners asking for an in
vestigation Of tho manner in which the con-
tracts have been executed for constructing sew
ers in Fortieth street. between Tenth avenue
and the Hudson river: in First and Second
avenues between Ninety second and 10th
streets. and in Ninety fourth, Nlnety-nfth.
Ninety sixth. Ninety seventh. and Ninety ninth
streets. and preamble and resolution. Tho
preamble AYERS that under Mr.. Campbels adj
ministration Of the Department of Public Works
contracts for work and supplies havo been
awarded to persons who were not the lowest
bidders; that owners Of dwellings have been
charged exorbitant prices for Croton water;
that other persons who use 1t In large quanti-
ties have obtained 1t at nominal rates. that
favoritsm in the use Of public propetyi prac-
tised many persons being protected in the use
OF IT. and that others have been punished to the
extent Of confscation Of their property.
Tho resolution called for a committee TO In
vestigate the complaints OF the petitioners. and
the allegations made In the preamble. The pre-
amble and resolution were passed. and Alder
men WachnCr. Shells. and Phillips were APP
pointed the Investigating Committee.
Alderman Slevcn led the next assault. His
resolution. like that presented by his colleague.
was prefaced by long whereas. This pream-
bile AYERS that experience proves. and prudence
dictates. that no single department or official
should control the persons who do tho citys
work and the officials who superintend It; or
estimate the quantity and quality of the work to
be done. and approve the bills for the payment
of those who do the work The resolution d
reefs the Committee on Law to prepare an ordi-
nance Tor placlng n some department. other
than that OF Public Works. tho appointment OF
1 nspecctors and surveyors on all public works
upon the property benefited.
Alderman Bryan Reilly did not clearly under
stand the purport OF the resolution, and sug-
gcstsd that 1t be- laid over that he might exam
Inc II. He was not responsible for any Of Com.
missioner Campbes acts. as no voted against
that gentleman's confirmation. This speech
dispeased Alderman Slevin, the mover OF the
rre,soqtion., havg heard yog, say, az least
NIFTY times" he said, looking Mt Mr.. Reilly di-
rect. " that you had nothing 90 do with putting
Comm iss oner Campbell into Office. The board
that these speeches exhibit aspecies OF dema-
IS Mir slevin sat down. Mr.. Reilly arose
Did understand the gentleman to say that
am u demagoguc p he asked.
-" said thu, your speeches. smacked OF
demaRogsm, Mr. Slevin replied.
spons6e '' for "p What he says ST. Reilly retorrd
Mr. seytn asked for an explanation of the
words personally responsible
Thcreat Mr.. Reilly again took the floor. The
gentleman has stated what Is not true. he
other place for what | say"
Mr. Seyin was stopped from replying by Al
| german Blglln = call Tor the previous question.
| The main question was then ordered. and Mr..
| Slevin's resolution was voted down. A motion
| 90 reconsider the vote was tabled.
| Commissioner Campbell sent 10 the Common
Council an answer to their request for his opin-
| ion whether the towers on the building known
rs tho Bristol, at Filth avenue and Forty
second street, and the bay windows on the un-
! finished building at Fourth avenue and Eight
| zenith street, are distractions upon the side
| walks. Mr.. Campbell says that the structures
on tho Fifth avenue building are not towers.
! They are bay windows. and although they
| project four or five feet from the
house line. they are not obstructions. A
Oct :, 4, 1874. permitted the lot owners
| on each side Of the avenue for court yards and
the width Of the sidewalks In Fifth avenue
south OF ll0th street at thirty feet. Most OF
| the enclosures in that avenue. the Commits
| sioner says. were made in accordance with tina,
| plan. leaving sidewalk fifteen feet in width
| and space Of ten feet between the court yard
! fence and the outer line OF the bay windows
| He adds, that whether these bay windows are
| technically or legally distractions. seventy or
| dinances for their construction have been pass
| Ell since June. 1878. and no objections have been
| made TO them until recently.
Mr.. Campbell says. in relation TO the Fourth
| avenue edlilce. that Its bay windows project
| four feet from the house line, but that NJ
| far as the use Of the sidewalk by the public i.
| concerned. they do not obsiruct the sidewalk
| as they do not extend beyond the area line. II,
| adds that the actual sidewalk never extended
! over the ground covered by the hav windows