Morning journal and courier., 1892-04-06
HILL UNDER FIRE.

sAoAoAS "a ono oooIO VI puUllc WOrks WIS
in the councilmanic chamber last
evening, and although there was not as
large an attendance present as usual there
was much interest manifested in the pro-
ceedings. Several very interesting points
were developed during the CROSS examina-
ton of ex-City Engineer Hill, and at the
conclusion of his examination he was
warmly congratulated by Judge Stoddard,
who told him that never in all his legal ex-
perience had he met witness who under
similar circumstances had proved himself
SO strong. The attorneys for the defense
endeavored in every conceivable way to
break the direct testimony of the witness,
but in no instance were they successful,
Mr.. Hill standing the ordeal most success
fully and by his answers, if anything, i'm
proving the case for his side.
The proceedings were enlivened by the
usual number of objections and personal
spats between the counsel, some of which
were of rather warm and excited nature
When the board first convened there
were but nine aldermen in their places,
they being Newton, Sonnenberg, Moran,
Doody, Bromley, Chatfeld, johnson, Cal
laQAu Auu COuuOT, 1888 Iudu QuOI
After delay of about twenty minutes a
sufficient number of aldermen put in an
appearance to make up the quorum and
the hearing proceeded.
HILL CONSTRAINED.
The proceedings last evening commenced
with the cross-examination of ex-City En-
gineer Hill. The examination was con-
Quoted by Attorney Daley. The first part
~, ~ %ho Mooho,,;o ro,,
ner streets sewer. During the course of the
cross-examination Nh. Hill said: GA sewer
contractor takes the contract to do all the
mason work and driving piles, etc., but
the city does the filling. The contractor
subjects the contract for driving the piles;
for this sewer, I think, to Charles R. Water
house. desired to change the original
specification and put on caps. The
caps were to be placed or
the piles crossways. The caps were twelve
inches wide and four inches thick. I never
saw a sewer of this size built on this plan
but on some plans very similar to 1t. There
was pile foundation to hold up this
sewer and also bed of artificial roc
which was specially specified in the con
tract. Mr.. O'Brien did not say to me that
he would not go on and build the sewe,
for the city without the city paid him fol
ever said to me that the bed was not suf-
fcient to hold up the sewer. There is a
storm overflow leading from this sewer to
Mill river. This overflow is also built on
piling and has quite a rapid drop.
The piles will last indefinitely. How
long chestnut pile, driven into salt water
where the tide GIBBS and flows, will last
depends very much on the location. Al
this location the piles are SO covered UP
that they will last indefinitely several
hundred years. have seen this location
which I have described within six months,
but do not think the piles are bare. There
is "a granite outlet at the mouth of the sewe,
running back perhaps eight feet. There il
and think the weight will be readily sup
ported indefinitely. There was change
made in the foundation. The filling set
tied to some extent within forty leigh
hours after the piles were driven. We ex
pected to fill in again after the settling
had finished and in this way secure
| strong foundation. I attempted to grade
| the street in front of Martins shop, but
was ordered not to do it by Mr.. Atwatel
| until I had the authority of the board.
know the order to cease operations came
! originally from Mr.. Atwater. but
Mr.. States probably sent the written
COlu" W Jul. OlAlOu vi Gue
Mechanic street sewer I decided that il
was not necessary to put in piles. 1t did
settle some, but not very much. did not
| run the sewer down in front of Martins
| shop because after the plans were made
they were all submitted to Mr.. Cheesebor
| ough and he thought the plan adopted
was the better one The whole thing was
talked over by Mr.. Fowler, Mr.. Cheesebo
rough and myself and the plan we finally
adopted was considered the best. The city
paid Mr.. Marlin damages for the
opening of Gamer street and for the
extension of Mechanic street. These were
land damages. The plan was ordered by
the court Of common council do not
remember, after the extension behind Mr..
Martins shop had passed the council,
matter out CT the court of common council
and send it back to the board of public
works. If the sewer had been built on
Nicoll street it would have required two
blocks more of the large sewer to have OBJ
tanned the same result. We could have
carried ali the storm water, etc., down to
the East street sewer, but it would have
cost four or five times as much. I cannot
| tell, but do not think that the Gamer
| street sewer cost $4,000 The sewer was
not imperrilled in any way. There were
TWO pldus ldlu OuI IOr tuo boulevard
| sewer, or rather, Mr.. Butler made some
| notifications in the plan drawn by my
| self. This sewer passes the lower part OF
St. Demands cemetery. The old bridge
was moved some 500 feet because it was
/ thought best to run the sewer where it il
| now. think the cost of moving the su-
perstructure was about $3.50 and the cost
of moving the abutments few thousand
My impression is that the cost of moving
| the entire bridge was less than 81 ,000."
Chow about this side of this sewerP
| inquired Mr.. Daley.
"What do you mean by this side?' in
terposed Judge Stoddard. "Ask him wheth
| or it is the east or west side."
"The witness can answer perfectly vel
| for himself without you interpreting back
bone for him. We will not hurt him." re-
| piled Mr.. Daley.
"That is perfectly manifest" replied
Judge Stoddard.' "You do not seem to bt
| able to-"
About this time Mr.. Daley asked tn,
| witness question which the latter die
not understand. Attorney Doolittle ther
| interjected remark to the effect that Mr.
Hill had not brains enough. This remarl
| was greeted with Kisses on the part of thu
| spectators.
Judge Stoddard-Well, that was a civil
| remark, Brother Doolittle.
Attorney Dailey-If you desire to hiss
professor, referring, it is said, to Profes
SOC A. ]. Dubois] the place to do it is out
| side.
Attorney Doolittle-And yet they claim
| that we will have a fair and impartial
| trial.
Judge Stoddard-I am of the opinion
that the manifestation was just, when yor
deliberately insult witness in the manner
| you have, and am only sorry that I die
| not stamp my disapproval of the matter
| by joining in the Kissing. daughter and
great applause
There were several illusions made by
! the counsel for the defense to circus and
| prize fight being now in progress or
Chapel street, after which the mayor
| raped with his gavel and order was re-
| stored.
The witness then resumed: ri did nc
work for the city nor for any corporation
| in Waterbury. I did some work in Bran
ford, but do not think it was for the
town itself. I was at work on the bridge
| in that town longer than five years ago.
| never in my life asked any member Of the
| court of common council to vote either fol
| or against commissioner. There is not &
| member Of the present board of aldermen
that I ever asked to vote. There was
| young man named F. A. Maloney appoint
| ed in the engineers department last sum
! mer, butI do not know who sent him thu
| notice of his appointment. I had con
4 u, III -, 1,