New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-03-16
ATTACKING H. O. THOMPSON.
HIS DEPARTMENT TO BE INVESTIGATED.

| ALBANY, March 15.-The Tammany Senators
to-day substantially began that investigation of the de-
partmens Of New-YOrk City controlled by their oppo-
nents the County Democracy that they have threatened
to begin sine, the Legislature met Senator Boyd was
put forward by Tammany to begin the attack He pre-
sened to the Senate the following resolution in regard
to the Department Of Public Works, which may he con-
sidcred the backbone Of the County Democracy:
Whereas The official report OF the transactions Of the
Department OF Public Works Of the CITY Of New-York,
Thompson during the year 1881, shows an increase in
the expenditures Of snd Department those OF tho
1879 Of 81 ,3l2759 2s and
Where's, It is charged that such increase Of cxpsd-
tnre Is due TO gross neglect of duty and violation OF law
Whereas The accounts OF said Department published
New-York for the year 1891. show apparent evasons
and violations OF law and charter provisions part
Resolsed, That be referred the Committee Cities
ofthe Senate with power examine into the management
OF the Department of Public Works Of the City Of New
York under said Hubert o. Thompson to the end that
exist may he speedily corrected.
| Senator Fitzgerald, onc Of the County Democracy
menbere instantly sought parry the attack by making
a countcrone upon 'mlnany stronghold in NewYork,
the Police Department lie offered the following pre-
amble aud resolution n amendment:
Whereas, II alleged that corruption prevails in the
Police Department % he city Of NewYork to fearful
and for promotion therein subjected to an infamous
taXupon the payment o. which and not npOn merit the
and,
Of the laws certain Illegal paccs such pohcy shops,
gambling houses houses OF prostitution and other dcns
of crime, in consideration Of moneys extorted as
Wiereas II is further alleged that the amounts so
raised find their way into the pockets Of high police
officials, and used In various ways to demoralze the
force; therefore,
Res0lred, That the Committee on Cities Of the Senate
be Instructed to investigate the truth or asity OF the
allegations with power to send for persons and papers
debate followed on the resolution and amendment,
|
by the charter of NewYork all work for that city which
would cost 81 900 must be done by contract In
apparent dsobedence to this law at least to its spirit
Mr.. Thompson the Commissioner Of Public Works. had
made great many contracts, putting them just
below the $1,000 limit. This gave him the
power TO confer them upon anyone, without
advertising for proposals for the work.
An inspection Of the books Of the Department Of Public
Works showed that some snguarly fortunate
In obtaining these contracts below $1,000 in amount
One especially r. A. Cunningham, seemed to be es-
pecally dexerous I'm putting bid for contract just
below the $1,000 limit. lie seemed to have few com
pettors So these contracts that "there
must have been understanding between this man
and the Commissioner Of Public Works"
Senator Boyd then read a statement compiled
from the books OF the Department Of Public
Works. showing that during the year 1881 Cunningham
given forty-seven such contracts by Mr. Thompson.
The for all descriptions of work. for
ing the months of July August, September October No
vember and December ths contractor, Cunningham, the
speaker said received an average OF about $4,000 a
month Senator Boyd commenting this fact said:
"This seems be arranged for; the special
for restoring and repaying in July, August and Sep
tcmber aggregating respectively $2,976 80,
1885 so and $293S. Another noticeable
feature of all these contracts is that the
lowest only S57 less than the prohibited amount of
81 OO0 while the highest is precisely within 81 of the
amount for which sealed proposals after advertisements
were required" In order to show the almost invarablo
approach To the $1,000 limit, Senator Boyd
read the following transcript from the books Of the
Department Of Public Works, all Cunningham's con-
tracts :: February -, 1923 p March o. S008 25;
April H. 500 5O April 20, 1854; April 49, $3.50; May
s918 25 June I3, 1913; June I3 1860 80; Juue -,
$9s7; June 80. $9Os 2j June 80, 1888; total,
In addition to these sumshc speaker stated there
paid ont tothe o c1ntractpH SIN er amounts TO the
ann AT 700 ST. AlOgc her the contract n received
the following sums from the Department in 1881;
From specified contracts from jan to June Sl32s6 80
From smaller contracts from Jan to June. 1900 So
From smaar contracts from july 10 Dec. d0liz u
From spec ca fund for restoring ana repairing 3o3o oO
,,o,,, totol ..... ......S .S7s, ,666 O2
Senator Boyd concluded hs speech by saying: There
was 40 much fayoritm saOwn in the disposal e. -lese
contracts that the people are Justified IN aSkA that
sloners are concerned would say that no definite
charges made against them by senator fitzgerald III
lis
in relation Mr. ThOpson facts taken from hs own
senator Fitzgerald said that he confident that
the Police Commissioners were spotiess He desired his
sct"r LoTdWerc not these charges against the Po-
lice Commissioners investigated by the Mayor
senator Grady-Yes; they were: The Mayor raked
the street corners Tor charges OF ali kinds But make
definite charges. The charter says INA all sums ex-
penUed over IL 900 snail be expended after an adver
tsenen Of the The Legislature supposed this
wuud competition 1t was not intended 70 justify
any expenditure as you ind herr to-day. By yon
find S7S 900 given out by Mr. THOMPSON without
line of advertisements The evidence mn OF
Sg39 500 II these had not been divided up
into several contracts the law Woaid nave &c compelled
their Advertisements Where Is Il alleged that c0rrup
ton exists in the Police Department. Is the charge
made by the Press No can you Proda&ce & W Wins th
charges am TN %llling that we should spread upon
seii,ator GRADY closed his speech with attack on
Mayor fOr mis- management OF the street cleaning
Cleaning Department were OF such an extraordinary
nature as v.slbly 10 amaze the senate The man VINO
"Inust nave been thief" Inc Senators looked sur
prlsod. "Yes gentlemen, thief shouted Slr Grady,
inadness to maze such contracts at such rates
contracts that can BE- broken after only ten days
notice II he atnle or mad some secret under
standing with the mnisoner the design OF an exce,
lent Republican Le lsiatHre mas Dee1 spoiled, n1tead
the law has been u5ei "a To plunge 1urtDcr IN Inc
tinans Can their contracts be annued it were,
ar momeny Is notice The rect Cleaning Department
there u nest OF dtion hat h0pe Oeiofe my term
ends mere 10 trace mayor Grace's door.
senator Fzgeraid Wl you nave the street Cleaning
Druartment iucl!ueu III his investigation
snator Ijrady-No, slr. Let tie Grand Jury do that
II viii come quickly enough Mr.. Thompson stands
convicted by ms boo s.
senator fitIg raid--I do not feel called upon TO
drf.nd the street leaning Department. some OF tue
practices OF that Department are certainly suspicious
Dut Commissioner Innson VII uot ask iOr cohceai
mtnt of what ne na5 don ., - :, IL,
senator Covert don't think anything can be sald
agaust Mr.. COlemans character NOt WOri
Las ever been said against his moral
cnarac.er The contractors took tier rsks Inc news
papers have charged Tat there are gambling houses IN
fEtirY,rk C,n these Institutions exist without the
knowledge of the ponce , -. 80. To-. O.,
two vears an open gambhng-hOuse III New-Iork The
Police Department II pushed On 10 It' uuy W wv 'o'