New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-07-25
EICHTy.THREE SUITS FOR SALARIES.

EIGHTY-THREE SUITS FOR SALARIES.
EMpLoYE, OF THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT ANXIOUS
ABOUT THEIR PAY-AN APPEAL FROM JUSTICE
PoTIER's DECISION.
The Mayor refused TO sign the payroll of the
EMPLOYEES of the Building Department Tor the month
OF June, 1880 on the giound that by the enactment
of the Public Burdens bill the Legislature had
abolished that department. and that the city was
not responsible the salaries of the employees.
These subordinates, eighty-three III number nave
each brought suit against the city Tor salary Tor
June Roswell ID. Hatch appears as the attorney
for each of them Mayor Cooper SAID yesterday
that there never had been any doubt III his mind as
P p Iii BpPrIens h The writ of prohibition had
of course stayed action until Justice Potters decl-
sion was rendered. Now matters were left Just as
they were in the first place. AT the next meeting
OF the Board of AppOriOnmcnt, the Mayor SAID, he
would offer again his resolution Transferring MI
appropriations heretofore made to the Department
of Bindings for 1850. IN excess OF llablltleS IN
CURED by that department, TO an appropriation fOr
the Fire Department.
President Morris of the Board of Aldermen. SAID
that his opinion as a layman had been that tne
Public Burdens bill proper law and that II
should be enforced. But when the question as to
It's consttutOnality had been raised III the courts
and then Mayor Cooper attempted TO force through
his resolution III his own peculiar way, he opposed
it, He considered that if the Board of Apportlon-
ment had passed the Mayors resolution while the
matter was still pending before the supreme
Court, and that decision had been favorable TO MI
Dudley every member of the Board OF Apporton-
ment would have made himself personally liable
for the salaries of the employees Of the Buli'ilng
DeuIrtinC ana MI. MO- IT'S SdlV lildt ~
fancy The idea of having to defend eighty three
quits brought against him for that cause. The
decision of Justice Potter, however, was sufficient
for him, and he now ready TO take alhrnatlYe
action upon the Mayors resolution. But ne would
Insist that il should he so amended rs To include
after the words i'll excess of such amount a. shall
be necessary pay all liabilities incurred or to be
incurred bv said department." the words "nclnd-
Ing salaries" This, Mr.. Morris thought, would be
only reasonable precautloh, ana touiu uo ho
harm i'll any
Justice Potter was not in town yesterday and
therefore his signature could not be obtained to
an order drawn by the Corporation Counsel IN ac-
cOrdance with his decision.
The decision of Justice Potter does not seem to
have had a very dsheartenng effect upon Henry
T. Dudley. Superintendent of Buildings. lie was
absent from his office during the greater part OF
Yesterday but his counsel, Roswell II. Hatch. SAID
that on behalf of Mr.. Dudley he would Immediately
apply for stay of proceedings and carry the case
TO the Court of Appeals. He mad no fears that the
Fire Commissioners would make a descent OH the
office and capture H., the office OF the County
Clerk was captured and be believed his contest
with the Corporation Counsel would be conducted
as all previous contests had been IN perfectly
friendly spirit. Meanwhile, Mr.. Dudley womb at
tend as usual 10 the duties of ms office.