Year: 1874

THE DEBATE IN THE BOARD OF ALDERhEh-IHE


GRAND JURY AT WORK.


The reply of the Commissioners OF Charities
and Correction upon the Board Of Aldermen with
a preliminary report OF the Law Committee, 10 wnom
the whole subject had been referred. This Committee
consists of Adermens Cooper. Billings and Flanagan,
the latter not being present. This preliminary
report was offered by Alderman cooper as
Chairman. 1t stated in substance that the
Chairman, at the request OF his ooiieaRues'
had notified the Commissioners Of Charities and Cor
rection that the Committee ready to receive any
communication from them. They had received the
COMMISSIONER reply. They had supposed that they
were expected to make investigation but In order to
da so they would require the services OF stenogapher
and experienced accountant They were uncertain
whether an investigation wac intended which would
take 30 much time, and they therefore awaited the
further action Of the Board before proceeding to take
any other steps.


Alderman McCaferty opened the debate. "I don't
know said he what could induce tho Committee to


make such report unless they take 1t for granted that
they be their own Successors IN ofce Tne CON-
mssoners Of Accounts spent months In this investga-
tion and the Committee on Law want stenographer
and clerk 1t is fair presumption that they cannot 90
the work as the Commissioners did. move
that report be laid the table and the Committee
on Law further OF this
subject"


The motion was lost by the following vote: Yeas-Al
dermen Koch, McCaferty. Ottendorfer and Reilly, 4;
Nays-Aldermen Vance, Billings Cooper, Faconer, and
Morris,


Alderman Cooper attempted to make motion to
allow the Committee to proceed with their investiga-
tion but Alderman Reilly made himself heard first. and
moved that the report be laid the table and printed
in the minutes az claim" said he, THAT the Commit
tee have the right TO make preliminary report as
there is no evidence the minutes that we were In
structed to make an Investigation"


Alderman McCafferty said the Committee were only
authorized to hear what the Commissioners had to say
and wanted to know who signed the report When
he found that Commissioner Bowen had made SNORT
reply pSa ,o @ ecopcr remarked
don't desire Chairman OF this Committee. TO under
take an investigation Of this department any other
department IL Is an unpleasant task. When this mat
ter before the Board last week. and was referred
to this Committee my motion, think every gentle
understood be referred to that COMMITTEE Tor the


Alderman McCafferty objected that 1t was necessary
TO have Joint Committee OF both Boards In order TO
idea unless the C9mmttee could devote their
and Alderman Ottendorfer immediately renewed It,
Alderman Reilly moved as an amendment that the
Cooper thought was no morehsn fair that the
reply should be printed as the charges had been
motion for the that he did not see what the Com
mttee had 70 % as @ ana o. Se nS
Committee could find no more IL would only be an
amendment that the report be received placed on lo
and the COMMITTEES discharged from further considera
ton OF the subject This lost by the same vote as
before Yeas and Nays.
Alderman Reilys amendment that the report be laid
OF the table and printed in the minutes: omtting the
reply, was then in order. Alderman McCaferty ex
planned his position, and was followed by Alderman BIZ
lngs and Cooper ,bOth OF whom dsclaimed any inten
ton OF makiug whitewashng" report. Alderman
Cooper again attempted 10 make a motion allowing the
Committee TO proceed with the Investigation with what
assistance they wanted but President Vance held that
the question was on Alderman Reilly's amendment
This was withdrawn and tho question before the Board
was Alderman OtendOrfers motion, with an addition
by Alderman Billings. The resolution was that the re-
port of the Committee be laid and printed In the
minutes and that 600 copies o the reply DC printed IN
pamphlet form.


Alderman Biliings's addition was adopted by vote
of TO A. the members voting in the first instance


Immediately Alderman McCaferty jumped to MS
feet denounce" he said the proceedings OF this
taken place here Partisan in every particular Mem
bers Of the dominant party try TO force the puocan
OF 800 copies pamphlet which none or the members
of the have seen. 1t an outrage Inc gen
tleman wants have document printed which reiers
10 an iu Investigation which he does not want to have


Alderman Billlngs-I assert that my coueaRue Is
making lnsinuations against that viii not bear.
appeal to the protection of the Chair.


Alderman Reilly-I INT see what he wants OF the
protection of the Chair. He has his four colleagues
alonRsiie OF him. who will see him through.


vote taken, and the resolution and amend.
ment were adopted by the same vote OF TO L.


The Grand Jury Court Of General Sessions are
still investigating the charges against the Bureau OF
Charities and Correction and IL is said that they de-
voted great deal Of time yesterday to examining the
Bureaus answer to Mr. Howes report upon Its manner
of carrying on business