New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-09-28
GENERAL coLLIgs RECORD.
HE REPLIES TO CERTAIN CHARGES AM
Is DEFENDED BY THE MAYOR.

A long statement appeared in 1.-THE New-Yerk
World" yesterday. IN substance accusing General
Coils. Commissioner Of Public works. OK mis-
behavior IN the presence Of the enemy at the Dat
tie of Charlottesville. for which he was COURT
martialed, and declaring that General David B.
Bi-ney his division commander severely reprt-
manded him IN orders and letters to the War De-
partment: also that General Coils. while City
Solicitor In Philadelphia, belonged 10 q notorious
political ring and engaged in practices alleged 70
have been corrupt and unlawful.
Mayor Strong said yesterday that the charges
against General Coils made no great impression
upon him. they were only a rehash OF what he
had heard before.
MY first knowledge that General Colliss NIL.
tary record was impugred." the Mayor said, came
from gentleman whom met train early In
1895 while going to Philadelphia. This was
several months after the General had entered the
Department OF Public Works as Deputy Commits
soner The gentleman made several statements
II: relation to General Colls's military record and
insinuated more.
After reached Philadelphia on that occasion
met three gentlemen Of the highest standing In
that city to whom mentioned what had heard
abou. General Coils They assured me that these
attacks originated In the heat Of political CAM
pagns and had long ago been Investigated and ex-
ploded. These were leading citizens OF PhNa-
delphla. and they gave General Coils an excellent
reputation a trusty man and an indefatigabls
worker
THE charge Of General Porter against General
Coils was after they had had trouble over the
Washington Arch 1t should be remembered that
General Porter strongly recommended General Col
lis for Commissioner OF Public Works to succeed
Mr. Brookaeld. after the latter resigned have
watched General Colliss acts closely and do not
believe that anything prejud.ciai 10 his character
for efficiency and integrity relating 70 MS present
place can be alleged"
General Coils SAID Yesterday on being asked about
THE Worlds 5" story:
II do not feel called upon TO answer CARRIED
, statements and manufactured lies which were
disproved and withdrawn quarter OF century
ago. No man regretted more than General Birney
that he had ever preferred charges against me;
After the we became personal rriends. ana :
was present at his deathbed We nad an an uh.
fortunate disagreement while COMMANDED =
brigade in his division in The Army OF the potonaci
and out OF It grew the ill-feelins which Followed
made my apDcs,GRn for 5 wsmb sestdp n
COMMITTEES Of the order made a thorough investga-
ton Of my army record and all these cnarsss
and to my official acts in Philadelphia were
threshed over As a result, the committee reported
A member Of the Loyal Legion without dissent
These facts ought or themselves 70 alspfoSsS
promotion that received for the battle Of Chan
cellorsville the medal OF honor from Congress , 2,
for conspicuous bravery at the battle Of Fredercks;
burg, and General Grants recommendation that !
should be promoted 10 mator-general for gallant
| conduct in the assault upon Petersburg"
The General also pointed to the testimonial ne
had received in the shape Of engrossed resolutions
bearing testimony 10 his character as an orncial
passed by the Board Of Trusts OF Philadelphia wnen
he was about to remove 10 New-York. II was also
said that General Collis's name appears on the
cornerstone Of the Municipal Building OF that city
| Mayor Strong and General Coils had long talk
over the matter OF ornup streets yesterday after.
noon Commissioned Coils said that the con-
tractor Baird had ninety more at work in
fTfth-ave. yesterday. and would continue 10 in-
crease the force OF men. -
/ The Mayor said that he thought the work mghe
have been pushed li-tls harder in July ana
/ August but that Commissioner Coils was doing
his best The Commissioner was hampered By the
necessity OF sticking strictly 10 the law in regard
10 the letting Of contracts for public work. Pr.
| yate corporations. Ike the Metropolitan street
/ hallway Company. had the advantage OF hasten
ing their work by various shifts. The Mayor In.
stanced one where the Metropolitan. finding
/ ctv's contractor a sewer going 100 SLOW
had bought him out for $50 Oco and had gone ahead
! and done the work in its own way: The commits
siouer could not do such things, but must let Q
contract 10 the lowest bidder. and, beyond certain
limits let the contractor do his own managing.