New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-08-25
PAY or AQUEDOOT COMMISSIONERS.
SALARIES OF $4,000 A YEAR VOTED THEM.

SALARIES OF IS, 900 A YEAR VOTED THEM.
VALUABLE LANDS THAT ARE CROSSED BY THE PRO
POSED RoUTE-MR. GoULD's VIEWS.
By a vote of the Board of Estimate and APP
polntment yesterday the annual salaries of the
three members of the Aqueduct Commission, who
do not hold official position in the City Govern
ment, were fixed at $4,000 each. This vote was
taken as required by law, aud the amount given
was the highest limit allowed by the
law which established the Commission. Before
the Board discussed the salaries TO DO gwen TO the
three Commssoners-William Dowd, James C..
Spencer and George w. LANE { approved the OPP
pontment of a secretary and messenger for the
S,%en ibsm james a W McCuloh had been ap
pointed secretary at a salary of $4,000. and John
Il. Vernam messenger at $500.
There had been considerable discussion, PRIOR 10
the meeting yesterday. as 10 the probable amount
that would be given 20 the Commissioners. Several
weeks ago Mayor Edison introduced resolution
fixing the amount at $4,000. President Asten. OF
the Tax Depar thought the sum too largo, as
the Commissioners are men OF wealth.
Mr.. Asten also urged that as the members OF the
Commission. who are also members of the City Coy
eminent receive no extra compensation for their
additional labor. tho non-officIal members should
not receive the full sum allowed by law.
Mayor Edison yesterday called up the resolution
previously introduced by him. After IL had been
read by the secretary President Asten said that he
as no did not think tho salary
should be SIS 900 at present. The Commissioners,
he explained. were all estlmablo men, but they had
not yet become entirely familiar with their duties
aud he was in favor ofincreasng the salary as the
Commissioners increased their efficiency. The
Commission meets only once week, no added. and
at a salary OF $4,000 each member would receive
more than $3.50 fOf t"O0f three nouns zine. In his
opinion, $4,000 ample salary Tor begin
ming lie moved that the salaries be liked at $6,0OO
he proposition ana not meet WIN favor III the
BOARD. President JOnn Reilly, OF the Board OF
Aldermen, favored the Mayors resolution. lie
said that the Commissioners were good ueH and
flsltf glOulI GOOD
that they would do good WORK. Controller Grant
also spo in ayorOf The resolution OF the Mayor lie
said that the mcetIngday only reprcseu ted small
part OF the work that would be required OF the
Commissioners and that would he done by them.
Their duties. he continued, were arduous especially
the duties imposed upon the cltlzen Commissioners,
since Mayor Edison, Commissioner Thompson aud
himself would not have All the time necessary 10
look alter details vi he work
The Mayor then spoke IN favor of his own rcsOlu-
uon, and urged the Board u adopt IT, He admitted
that the Commissioners were men Of wealth. but he
planned that one OF them had promised TO give his
whole time 10 the work. and the Others would give
much of theirs. Onc OF them mad resigned posi-
ton which paid him $500 year, because IL inter-
fered with ms present position IN toe AqucI uct
Commission. while another Commissioner had
gwen up large amount OF business that he
might devote more time to the aiiairs OF tho
aqueduct. If. be urged. this the now.
the work would be heavier. and would require
still more of the commissioners time laier aud he
SION.
Mr. Asen again spoke in favor of his resolutions
stating that II the commissioners ala their Work
faithfully they would DO leaving heritage for thcir
children, he value of which could not be estimated
in money. When the vote on the Mayors Iesolu-
ton was taken, Mr.. Astrn voted In
the negative aud the Mayor. Controller and
President Reilly voted In tue Affirmative
The proposed line OF the new eqneduct passes
thro ugh the lands of Jay Gould, t. Jallray, john
T. Terry Robert Hoe aud other prominent New
Workers owning country seats near lryington. IL
has been objected TO tins line that heavy
damages would be demanded by these men for the
injury TO their property which the building of tho
aqueduct would involve. Mr.. Could had little to
say on this point yesterday. If the aqueduct
should be built through the best properly along the
line" he remarked " suppose that the owners will
be paid adequate damages. IL will cost
more than II would TO build 1t further
back from the river where land is worth
very much less. OF course this will be
fully considered by the commission. l think a
good route could be found along the Saw Mill River
VALLEY and certainly the damages 10 private prop
ertv there would be very much less than by the line
now proposed"
Cyrus w. Field said that his country house was
situated at some distance east of the line and that
he was not interested In the ques-
ton of damages. Il should certainly
object to the building OF tue aqueduot
If It was to pass through my property as. under
stand IL does through that Of Sr. Gould and other
gentlemen. The line runs 80 clo.e 10 the entrance
TO Mr. Hoes house that | hardly sec how the aque-
duct eau be built without taking the ihouse down"