Morning journal and courier., 1891-06-16
ALDERMEN INVESTIGATING


It was hot looking set Of aldermen that
assembled last evening for the SPECIAL
meeting which was called for the investi-
cation of certain matters in connection
with the board of public works. His
honor, the mayor, was not present, owing
to-a sudden indisposition, and Alderman
Callahan presided in his place. The mem
bers of the board of public works were all
present except Commissioner Brown. Com
missioner Leigh complacently occupied q
seat in corner, and apparently was not
worried over the fact of his being a resi-
dent Of Westville. There were also many
other citizens present, some oficeholders
and others not, who gave an interested at
tention to ell that was going on.
But whew-how the fans few and how
uncomfortably warm every one felt.
First of all, lot of routine business was
taken up. It was fully an hour before
Commissioner Browns communication
came up for consideration. Then
an opinion from the corporation counsel
was read.
The corporation counsel replying to the
order of the board, gave his legal opinion
as to whether the board of public works
has, or has not a legal right under the
city's charter, and the appropriation for
| 1891, to bargain for, purchase or approve
of any bill against the city of New Haven
| for a stone crusher or road roller. He
quoted from section 40 of the charter as
| to the scope of the powers of the public
| works board, and from section 60 as to the
powers and duties of the board of finance
as to making estimates of expenses for the
year. The opinion then says:
In the appropriation made for the department
of the board Of public works for the year 1891 the
following item appears:
Stone crusher and road roller running
expenses. .SlOOOO w
Commissioner Brown in his communication to
your honorable board states that "a contract
ny ana this tV 64
it was provided that Conner Brothers should take
e the city for se esng
| the city of New Haven
| In that case the board of public works would
| not be warranted in purchasing an additional
stone crusher, as the Conner Brothers, by the
terms of the above contract are to supply all the
crushed stone which they may be called upon to
| furnish to the city.
There is no contract for doing the road roller
e wopes
| Whether the item Of $4,000 must be confined
merely to the expenses of running the roller, or
| whether it can be used to purchase a new one in
case the present roller becomes worthless, or to
purchase second roller in case one roller does
tention Of the board of public works in recon-
| mending and the intention Of the court
of common council in making the appro;
| to cover repairs and renewals of the crusher, as
| well as the mere running expenses, then the
one was needed to carry out the work ordered
| to be done by the court of common council But
if on the other hand it was intended md to
board of public works could not make the pur-
| chase
The board Of public works can inform you what
| their intention was in asking for this appropria
| ton and your honorable board can judge what
| the intention of the court of common council was
| in making the appropriation
1t will be the duty of the board of public works
| to obey any order of the court of common coun-
| which has arisen 1 would recommend that the
| board OF public works defer action in regard to
the purchase until they have been authorized by
| the court of common council.
A communication from Clerk Waldron
of the board of public works was read and
ordered on file. Next, Alderman Avis
arose and presented communication from
| Commissioner Brown. who was absent on
business matters out of town.
The paper was similar in character to
the former one, with the exception of 60
ing more into detail He gave several in
stances where rollers had been purchased
from $500 to $1,000 cheaper than the
| price Ou0T0u W Now laY6u.
He acknowledged that he had made 6
mistake in what his former paper said con.
corning the stone crusher purchase He
had many letters from City Engineer Hill
and mayors of other cities for reference
In conclusion he stated his willingness tc
resign if his membership to the board be
unsatisfactory.
At the conclusion of reading the paper
which was sixteen pages long, the alder
1 tad o,,Io hot %14~ o4s
adjourn until the evening of the 22d, a
which time the board Of public works an
swer the charges in writing.
This aroused buzz of excitement and il
was some time before the members recov
cred. In the meantime Commissioner
States arose. We have, he said, very lit
tie to say, but and my colleagues except
ing Mr.. Brown are here to answer any
question your board may wish to ask.
don't propose to put any communication
in writing while am member of the
commission.
The board of public works has not pur
ferred to committee, but has not beer
considered further.
Concerning the purchase of a road roller
he spoke of Superintendent Doyle's state
ment that its purchase was necessary. He
said further the board.
Here Alderman Sheehan called for the
motion to adjourn, and Alderman Kelly
called for fair play.
Alderman Hamilton said he was in favor
of having the investigation go on.
The motion to adjourn was lost by vote
of IA to 5.
Here Alderman Kelly said: "He's (mean
ing Mr.. Brown afraid to face the music
and come here. He sends his paper here
in an undetermined way"
Some exception was taken to this re-
mark by another members and the tenn
perature Of some member accordingly
rose several degrees.
At this point Alderman Daily arose te
smooth the ruff1ed feathers and counselleo
peace. He advised delay, saying it was
too weighty matter to be hurried1y dis
posed of. At later meeting he said he
had few things to bring forward on his
own part. He desired that Mr.. Brown be
present and objected going further in the
matter without his presence. He wanted
to go back and see what was the system
or conduct of the board of public works
last year.
When he finished speaking at least six
| aldermen arose, and finally Alderman
Hamilton was left alone. He said no one
had right to be dumping charges written
in communications upon this body and
having them printed and spread broad
cast.
After a considerable time President
States resumed his statement. He took up
the road roller matter again. He said, re.
ferring to certain statements of Mr.. Brown
regarding the negotiations for its purchase,
all these had been done by his honor the
mayor, and he considered him better man
to bring about such a transaction than any
other members of tho board of public
works. He said further no roller
would be brought without due authority.
Mr.. Brown, he said, has accused Mr.. At
water of doing things he doesn't like. &c
to the city engineer and he will tell you
that every inspector now employed was
also employed last year.
Mr.. States was vigorous in his remarks.
AS he advanced, he said he had been in
Office since 1876 and never had done an act
which his conscience reproved him Of He
thought it was about time to graduate
from the duties and believed he would do
80 at the end of his present term of office,
if he were not bounced before then.
The last paper of Mr.. Browns was
tabled for the time being and then the
board went into committed of the whole
for the consideration of the first paper.
Mr.. w. R. Fleming, representing the
Harrisburg roller firm,' was present and
was allowed to speak. The transaction of
sending the roller was done mainly
through the negotiations of Mayor Sar-
gent. He said he had frankly told the
| committee an English machine cou1d he