The New York herald., 1879-09-01

II did not"
"Do you know who did"'
IL do"
'.Who?"
II decline to say" ttg
'.what is the exact progress Of the matter?"
"Well. it's just this. Payments had not been made
to the contractor in long time. He needed his
money. examined the matter carefully and was
convinced that he ought to have it. 30 reported
and the Board agreed with me. The matter sent
the Comptroller. but before it paid Mr.. Lane
filed protest against it with the Mayor and Comp
troler and they Of refused to pay it. gen.
give me $500 to give Commissioners Lane will see
that that protest is withdrawn from the file. The
contractor drew check on bank in Schenectady.
He also keeps account in the Produce Bank Of
which was formerly president He took the check
there and had it cashod. The $500 he gave to the
gentleman.
Did he give it to Mr. Laney'
THAT can't say. but the protest was Withdrawn
from the files the next day. and the contractor got
his money"
coNovERs REsIGNATIoN.
''why did you resign treasurer2'
I'm other years, when Mr.. Wenmau was treasu-
rer he was the chief OF the purchasing depxrtInen
aud al supplies passed through his hands, subject
to the check Of the president When Wenman was
made president Lane became treasurer; but after .
few months the purchasing power was taken from
him and vested in the president. When succeeded
would be restored to the treasurer II was not, and
l resigned. At our last meeting by unanimous re-
quest. Withdrew my resignation."
'Do you consider Central Park In good condi-
ton p
mo-"
1--WE haven't money enough It would require
$500 900 to put it in shape For years looked WE'LL
and there was plenty Of money to keep it up. Now
it looks badly and appropriation is absurd. The
fight for the presidency is unique. Wenman and
Lane want it. The salary is $650j. the only salary
paid to a Commissioner although the treasurer used
to have y salary and should have now. The diff
hculty with Mr.. Wenman Is that he is In constant
hot water between his duty and his interest," His
duty president exacts all his time; his interest
q cotton merchant prevents his giving 1t anything
like 1t. He means well; but no man can serve two
masters.
AN EXTRAORDINARY SITUATION.
considerable gossip is afioat about row at the
last meeting. What was it?"
..some time ago, in July think. Mr.. Lane was
given charge Of the leases and licenses in the parks.
He all tho tenants aud found that considera
bic money due for back rents. Mr.. Dick, who
has the boats owed s. sou; MI. Clapp, who has the
carriages owed $500. and on. About this time
Howard Martin. brother of former president. went
to Dick and said. II you'n give me $780, and to
Clapp and said 1T you'll give me $3.50 I'll see that
all your back dues are reunited. OF course they
were only too glad to do it and said At the next
meeting Mr.. Lane informed the Board of the condt-
ton in which he found things and recommended that
the back dues be remitted and leusas made out.
As the subject had been referred to him his recon-
mendation was Of course adopted. At the last meet
ing the president showed letter from Mr.. Martin
to one of these parties hurrying him up. as he
in need OF money. In view of this state of things
MIR. Wenman offered u resolution that Mr.. Lane be
relieved of the lease and license supervision, and
Mr.. Conover then gave at some length his convic-
tions concerning the coming campaign. and insisted
that the issue would be very greatly influenced BY
the labor-grcenback party. to whose Convention he
goes as u delegate from this city.
WHAT COMMISSIONERS LANE HAS
Thinking that Commissioner Lane might desire to
express his mind freely under the circumstances to
the public through the hEnALD. he was waited upon
cylinder desk in the innermost recess OF the Pnrk
Departments Office. In response to = question Mr..
Lane rubbed his head. called for the official scrap
book and glass of vichy. and said. "Yes. there
was stormy session on Wednesday. tho 2Oth.'
''What the occasion OF itY'
.'Well, I'll tell you in detail. There have been
payments made to contractors account OF the
riverside Drive. aud ut this meeting claim was
presented. amounting to nearly $3sU00. which the
president and Commissioners Conover were deslrous
Of passing. l refused TO audit it, refused to vote
test with the Mayor Comptroller against its set
tlemen,. That made them worry angry"
"what did they dog'
'sEndeavored I'd force me-"
''Howw
'.By dragging in extrancous matters, especially
about the inspectorship OF licenses and leases"
.Is that the inspectorship concerning which there
is little scandal such ~ fees paid for reittng
rentals and license dues?"
Eyes. I'll tell the HERALD all about it, Being q
lawyer, question after question In this connection
referred until nally the whole subject Of
leases and Licenses referred TO me to report
upon. On Investigation l found that OF the
les sees behindhand and considerable money
due For instance, the man who has the carriage
license has some 900 invested, but Coney Island
injured his business, and concluded 1t was but
fair that the department should release HIM from
his past Indebtedness. The same considerations in
huenced me in the of the who has the boats.
Moautifne Mr.. Howard A. Martin, who tor years was
connected with tho department and IL q lawyer was
employed by these mon to utter their interests
and they unquestionably paid him for his services
perfectly proper. but did not know that Mr.
Martin had been employod until this meeting"
"But your
IL never saw cent of their money. Mr.. wenman
made these insinuatons without the slightest
foundation in TACT. and only for the purpose OF
forcing into voting for the payment of bill
which believed to be fraudulent and would not
audit.
THR FIVE HUNDRED DOLLAR CHICK AGAIN.
"But isn't that the same kind Of protest you filed
once before and attorward withdrewY'
..won't you tell the HERALD that story. too' You
thero is virtual insinuation that you made
money by that operation. and tho HERALD would be
glad to publish your version
'Certainly. Hsa very simple matter. In Novem
ber 1S7S the Riverside Drive contractors had bill
| OF about $4,000 II presented to the Board.
refused to audit vote for It, 1t passed and sen
to ths Comptroller hleds . protest With the Mayo
and Comptroller against its payment. who. of course
refused to pay The contractor had borrowed money
| OF tho Produce Bank and the bank wanted the
tho contractor should be paid, they circulated
the report among 400 laborers that the they
audit the bills and the men actually wanted to mol
| me- Meantime a man, who was friend Of tn,
contractor and who had been connected with mo ii
|
with me, and recently learned no did get chocl
for $500 from the contractor with which to influence
me- but never got AGENT"
| ''NoverY'
"Nyver why. sc siere; there was q crisis when
could have had $lvDy 20 from these very contractors
and never had do.lar. There are matters pending
now In which I could make $4,000; and does 4
seem likely that would take or any one would ofie
me $3.50? I think not. However. didn't get tn
money, though do believe the agent did, aud als'
believe that the bank which cashed the ive hun
drod dollar check has it yet rumor says II was re
turned not good by the bank on which 1t VA
drawn. still. as I got none OF II. don't worr,
ABOUT It."
.'But you withdrew the protsst and the monet
| was paid"