New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-11-10
HEARING MIR. DEBEVOISE.
BAD WORK ON SCHOOL BUILDINGS.
COMMITTED OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
IAsTEN TO THE FORMER SUPERINTENDENT.

A COMMITTED OF THE BOARD OF EDUCAIloN
IAsTEN TO THE FORMER SUPERINTENDENT.
The special meeting Of the Committee on Buildings or
the Board OF Education. called to consider certain al
legged practices I'm the Department of Buildings was
held with closed doors at the Offices in Grandst, last
evening Upon The invitation of the committee, George
W. Debeyoise up to July superintendent of the de-
partmen accompanied by his counsel appeared before
the committee to answer its questions.
As was learned after the meeting the letter ASKING
Mr. DebeyOse to appear before the committee WAS sent
10 him last Saturday. The letter said among otier
things that certain devatons from the specifications
in some OF the recently completed school buildings
had been discovered. In case you desire to appear
before the committee, and hear what the alleged
dcviaions are and make any statement in regard to
them the committee Will be pleased to hear YOU
In reply to this letter. Mr.. Debevoise yesterday
morning wrote a long communication, citing the pub
locations which had appeared and winch, he aoueo'
tended to reflect upon my administration OF the
duties Of the Office of superintendent OF Pubic school
Buildings" He declared that the Information must
have been furnished to inure his reputation and stand
ing in the community that he had been unaware that
any Investigation lad been In progress or that any
Of his acts had been called In question. :" In tho
letter In question:" he added, you do not state that
any charges have been formulated. You do not
furnish me with copy of the testimony, which must
have been taken, and you leave me entirely in the
treatment as cruel and unjust and gross violation Of
that spirit of fair play which is cherished by every
civilized community. / am willing to appear before
yeu and explain devatiens etc.; but, before doing
so, ! must insist upon being informed whether ala
regarded as on trial. whether am called upon to
defend my reputation In this community. II
there are any charges against me- desire them to be
fully Investigated under oath. desire also to be
ronted with the witnesses against and to have an
opportunity TO cr0ssexamine them and then shall be
ready TO meet them and give my testimony under the
sanctty Of an oath"
A reply was made at once to Mr.. Debevoise's note,
saying that no charges had been formulated at all
and that he not on trial, and that he was no
longer connected with the department. But our at
tenton has been called" added the reply. "to devia
tons omissions from the specifications which have
been considered important. We thought the fairest
thing to ask you you wished 20 appear before the
committee and make any explanations
Tie meeting lasted almost three hours. AS already
published In The Tribune, the deviaons referred 10
the alleged substitution of cheap galvanized iron pipes
for lead pipes in Grammar school No. 81 and Primary
school No. "A of an inferior quality OF stone in Gram
School No. So Of the of Inferior slate In the
toilet rooms of several schools, etc.
Mr.. Debevoiss reiterated in great part his remarks
already published in The Tribune. He denied that he
had been remiss In his duties that any sub
situations had been made which were not ap
proved by the trustees of the ward and the
Committee on Bulldogs. + Records would be found
in reference to all the transactions. He was unable
he said TO recall everything in connection with the
repairs and construction of the buildings during his
administration and that u the committee wished full
particulars, he must have time to give them He had
depended Of necessity partly upon the reports OF the
Inspector of buildings regarding the condition Of build
ings and the fllhment Of contracts. 1t was I'M
possible to examine every detail In person.
After the meeting Mr.. DebevOise said that far
as he knew the committee had been satisfied with
what he had said, and that he was not to appear
before ii again.
The administration and actions Of Eugene s. O'Del
the inspector OF buildings, who has been suspended
pending an Investigation of the alleged deviations
from the specifications are still under consideration
Mr.. O'De may be invited to appear before the next
meeting of the committee