New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-07-09
DEFYTNG TAMMANY BOSSES.
AouEpUcr COMMISSIONERS TAKE ACTION
THEY WILL RESIST TIE EFFORT OF THE w1GwAM
TO GRAB MORE PATRONAGE.

TO GRAB MORE PATRONAGE.
The Aqueduct Commissioners decided yesteruay "
resist Tnmmany Halls attempt to grab the patronage
OF their department and passed. resolution iciu>'S
the request OF the Board OF Estimate Tor iS' Vi ~
oaried employees of the new Aqueduct with descrip
tlon of the various duties to which they arc ase"ou
They hold that this action IS warranted by an opinion
piven by Judge LacOnlbc, as Corporation Counsel III
1854 General Duane presided usual at ye9teru'N .
meeting The other Commissioners present "erc
Messrs Scott, Tucker and Cannon, ana CUhuVhoi
MYERS eNoffciO member. Mayor Grant ana Ooi''
missioner Gilroy not at the meeting Inc queN'
lion came ND and the issue with the Board Of Estimate
WAS Joined when secretary Sheehan read report from
the construction Committee saving that after caei'
consideration of the request of the Board named 1t had
decided that the Commission was required ID suohio
only the names OF the persons employed IN the ONCE
of the Commission. The committee quoted thc La
comlc decision In support Of tho position tahe gwen
ON August 1, 1884. which cited Chapter 400, section
al Laws of 1888 the statute which President Barker
Of the Tax Department, quoted in support OF his
position that the Aqucuct Commissions expenditures
are subject to the control of the Board of Estimate
Judge LacOmbe held that this oct applied only to the
persons employed in the Office force, and that Section
90 Of the Aquciuet act as whole cohtempia'eS
that the various persons whose services are required
TO enable the Aqueduct Commissioners to discharge
their functions shall be selected, appointed ana heir
conversations fixed, by thcm.'
The committee recommended, therefore, that only
list of the Office employees from secretary to mes
sengers be sent. The committees resolution was
adopted all present, including Controller Myers, vot
ing I'm the Affirmative. II sounds an unmistakable
note of defiance 10 the Tammany Hall bosses VINO
have been moving under cover of the Board OF Es-
innate % take control Of the work Of Aqucduct con
structlOn and binding of dams and reservoirs with
the force OF engineers superintendent and employees
Of all grades under the Aqucduct Commissioners
jurisdiction.
Commissioner scott. after the meeting. said that
the action taken meant that the Board Of Estimate
possessed no jurisdiction whatever over the AQneduct
WORKS proper but that the Commission couh employ
engineers daugtsmen labOrcTS, as well as whatever
.orce was necessary for special work without the
supervision or consent II the Board of Estimate.
General Duane sent the resolution adoptcd to the
Board Of Estimate with Secretary shceian's LIST "i
Office employees, Immediately after lis passage a
lively session may be expected when the BoaHi meets
again. on Chief EngneF Ftcley's recommendation
an extension Of time granted TO David r. Paige
& Co., contractors, for binding Dams l and at
Bog Brook. until December 81. Back pay was al
lowed Scion r. Nichols. inspector OF masonry. for
several days in February, 1890. lie had been or
dercd to resume work. but the order did not reach
him for week after 10 issued.