Year: 1875

THE ISSUE OF cRoToN WATER sTocK-oNE


A LAW OF 1872 REVIVED.


meeting OF the Board OF Estimate and Apportion-
ment was held in the Mayors once AZ two o'clock
yesterday afternoon. Mayor Wickham, Comptroller
Green, Tax Commissioner Wheeler and Alderman
Lewis were present.


Alderman Lewis called up the resolution recently in
troduced authorizing the Of Croon main stock
the amount of $3.50 O0O in accordance with the law OF
1872 This matter had been subsequently referred to
the Corporation Counsel with request that he should
give opinion TO the powers OF the Board Of Ap-
portonment in directing the issues Of the stock Two
weeks ago this opinion was received 1t
declared in favor OF the power Of
the Board to issue the stock. BY an
act OF the last Legislature issue Of $500 900 has been
authorized for purposes, subject however, to
twothirds vote of the Board Of Aldermen. An effort
has been made for the past three months TO the
passage Of this ordnance but II has been defeated by
the united opposition Of the republican members
Different opinions have been expressed to the ne
cessty for this increased expenditure The democrats
being beaten in the Board OF Aldermen brought the
matter of the issue of stock before Board of Appor
tionment under law passed as far back as lS72 op-
ponents of the expenditure deny the authority OF the
latter body In the premises but the Corporation Coun
sci has decided differently.





When Alderman Lewis called up his resolution yes
terday Comptroller Green inquired Of Commissioner
Porter II any special claims stood against the fund
Commissioner Porter said that none do stand


Alderman Lewis remarked he understood that Mr..
William NJ. Evarts had concurred in the opinion given
by Corporation Counsel Whitney.


Mayor Wickham wished TO know whether, in the
opinion of Commissioner Porter the issue of this stock
was absolutely necessary for the safety of the city


Commissioner Porter remarked that portion OF the
fund necessary for the protection of the city this
winter He did not know OF any fund from which this
money could be procured other than the one under
consideration or the $500 900 appropriation pend
ing before the Board of Aldermen. He did not think
the whole amount Of $3.50, 600 necessary Probably
$4,000 would suffice for tho remainder of this year


Alderman Lewis then amended his resolution so as
10 limit the issue to 500 000


Comptroller Green undertook to prove that the
penditures for Croton water limited under
thorty OF two-thrds vote of the Board of Aldermen
by the law passed in 1875. He contended that the
Board of Apportonment had gone back to old OBJ
soete law passed in 1872 in which the Common Coun-
Gil not required TO pass any ordinance in relation
to the matter. Commissioner Porter had stated there
were no liabilities against the fund, therefore ne
cessity existed for the issue under the old law the
statute of 1875 fully met the emergency In the wis
dom of the Legislature they required three
fourths vote of the Aldermen, which threw
around the expenditure very wise safeguard. For
Croton water purposes the Legislature of 1871 had au
thorzed expenditure OF S150o000 in 1872 $1,000
in 1873 81 500 600 IN 1874 81 000, 900 and in 1875
$500 000 The Comptroller then went say that in
the whole subject of Croton provision, he had
controlling opinions. He had examined into the whole
subject which leads him TO the conclusion that much
more information ought TO be obtained before any
money Is expended. Commissioner Porter was not
long in Office and would be no reflection on him to
say that the matter required thorough examination at
the hands OF those possessing the most perfect knoW
edge.


vote was then taken on the resolution to authorize
the issue the amount $780, 000 follows Yeas,
Mayor Wickham, Alderman Lewis and Tax Commits
soner Wheeler. Nay Comptroller Green.


After the transaction OF some unmportant business
the Board adjourned Friday next when the estimates
for the year 1875 will be formally taken up.