Year: 1865

The Investigation Into the Charges
Against the street Contractors.


The investigation into the charges made against the
street contacton by the Police Commissioners was 70
sumed q eleven n yesterday before the Mayor and


full board The Police Departments represented By
Mr. Seth G. HawIsy, chief clerk OF the Police Comms
soners, while Mr.. vanderpoel appeared for Messrs
Brown, Devoe Knapp, the contractors Tor street
cleaning.


Mr. Hawiey appeared for the Police Commissioners IN
pursuance OF notice given by them some time ssnce
During the Hackiey contract he said Mr. Haws and the
Board Of Supervisors requested the poIoe TO examine
and report the performance OF the work by the con
tractors. When the present contract was entered
into the police adopted the same course during
the nrst part Of the, performance OF the
new contract. The inspection was not quite
SO rigid during the time Of the strike. The sus
pension merely for the purpose Of informing those
interested in the matter OF now che work was done.
The Police Commissioners OF opinion that the am
davits made relation to the non cleaning Of certain
streets sufficient to make prima dcss case, and
II further information was wanted they wero ready TO
give it. Some OF the streets not cleaned the Police Com
missoness thought quite possible were omitted by the
permission OF the street Cleaning Commissioners There
one hundred and twenty-five witnesses, who
would be produced when the proper time arrived Each
Of the streets complained Of not being cleaned
watched by three men, one OF whom was continually on
OF he reports made might have been erroneous


Mr.. DEvLH believed the streets could not be kept
properly clean while garbage was permitted TO be thrown
into them He asked was there not some punishment
allotted to offences Of that description eeA a.


Mr.. HAwLxY stated that the Commissioners could not
get any legal opinion 10 sustain them in making arrests


Recorder HoYYHAN remarked II would simplify mat
considerably IL the contractors would put in sworn
statement Of the days which every street cleaned


Mr.. vANDKxPoz, for the street contractors, said q
record had not been kept in the case Of the Fifth ward
then discussed at some length the law regard TO
the breaking OF city ordinances He imagined and was
opinion the police could arrest parties for throwing
garbage in the streets As to the omission TO clean some
OF the Streets Of them between Third and Fourth
avenues were omitted because the occupants OF the
houses preferred dong the work themselves


Mr.. HOFFMAN, thought the contractors ought not TO be
allowed any discretion in the matter It was necessary
they should perform their contract The complaint
charged that cera In streets had not bcen swept The
contractors should put in their answer and should state
why such omissions had been made II they admitted the
facts II then remained for the Street Commissioners to
say whether tho offered by the contractors were
sufficient Then the question was settled He moved
that counsel for the contractors be directed TO file an
answer to the complaint lodged by the Police Depart
nen stating their affirmation or denial TO the alleged
charges The moton was carried.


The MAYOR hoped the Police Commissioners would not
their supervision and reports on the state Of the
streets


Mr. HAwIxY stated they intended to do 30.


The Commission then adjourned " Monday next as
eleven A. M