The New York Herald Newspaper, June 25, 1875, Page 8

BOARD OF ALDERMEN. Important Reports from Com- ? miseioners of Accounts, Grave Charges Against the Fire Commissioners. THE PARK DEPARTMENT. Mismanagement and Cor- ruption Implied. LABOR QUESTION AND HARLEM FLAT NUISANCE. The regular monthly meeting of the Board of | Aldermen was held yesterday. The republican | members placed in contempt by reiusing to obey } the rules of the Board again absented them- selves. THE LABOR QUESTION, Alderman Reilly offered the fellowing resolu- tion relative to laborers’ wag Resolved. That the wages of all unsicilled laborers om: ployed in the several departments of the city govern- trent be and the sume is nereby fixed at the sum of $2 r day of cight hours, that being, by state law, a legal jays work, im offering tois resolution Alderman Reilly stated he had consulted several able lawyers on teesubyect. They had informed him that the Board of Aldermen had alone the right to direct and regulate the wages of laborers on the puvlic works of the city. He (Mr, Reilly) Bad also ques- Mened Corporation Vounsel Smith in relation to she matter, aud a similar opinion was expressed by that gentleman, | The resolution was adopted without @ dissent- img vote. DOG ORDINANCE. The ordinance in relation to the killing of dogs furing the summer mouths was called up. but jaid over, a8 a suMicieut number of members was pot present to pass it. THE CHARGES AGAINST THE FIBE COMMISSIONERS. | it will be recollected that six mouths ago Mayor | Wickham transiaitied to Governor Tilden a sched- ule of charges against the Fire Commissioners, ‘These charges have never been acted upon, and Were based upon a report made te the Mayor by tne Commissioners of Accounts. This report bas Bot been pudiisned, and was yesterday sent to the Board. It is as follow: Bxxoortvs Duranreart, Orr Hatt, | New Youx, June 24, 1875, To tax HoNonasie THz Common VouNcIL:— | Guytiexgx—1 herewith transiit for your mformation S communication irom the Commissioners of accounts | in reterence to the Fire Depariment. | WILLIAM H, WICKHAM, Mayor. | Orricy oF THx Commissionxys OF AcccUNTs, Urry Hau rang. Naw Youu, June 23, 1378} Bop. Witutas H. Wioxtan, Mayor :— Sim—ihe Coaunissioners of Accounts are in receipt of pFesalution a opted vy tue Board ot Aldermen on Jane | 7, i873, which resoludion und the preamble relauve | whereto are in the iouowing terms:— ereas on the It of September, 1374, a resolution was adopted by tue Board direetung the Commissioners bt Accounts Ww exanuue the sccoants and manner ot ransacting the business of ine rire Vepartment, par- Vicuiariy i the purchase of material and supplies. and We masiug of contracts, and report, with such suyges: ons ans recommendations as wight be deemed comau tive to the 1nlerests uf the eity—which said report, alter Wich examication had been wade, Was deposited’ with ihe Mayor on or about the s0th of December iast, but was aever (rauswmitied to Mus Bourd: be it therefore i} “Hesolved, ibat the Commissioners of accounts be, ona they are hereby respectru: requested tw transmit bo this board, at te bext reg ir meeting thereof, tue original of &@ Copy Of the report, and tue result of the ex- Sminavon then made by the Commissioners of Accounts Ant the aitaizs of the Fire Vepartinent, as orderea by aid resolution of septemoer iv, 144” ‘in trausunitting to you & copy of this report, for such acuen as you in your discretion may deem proper, 1 ae- fire Wo add u supplementary report of some mutters not fully treated ihereim; aud also of some other matters pen Which | could wot then obtain ful: intormation. YUST—IN EXLATION TO THE PALLETT VALVE. Section 11 of the charter of 187), and section 4¥1 of the eharier ot 1873, provides thas “No member of the Com- partment, cuiet of bureau, aep- | © cerk teereil, or otner officer of the cor- poration, stall be. directiy or indirectiy, interested in ¢ the sale of any arti- sideration of whicn, mt section 10 of the Sharter of 1870, anu eection 9 ot the charter of 13:3 sti. farther provide that “Any officer of the city govern- Ment, or other person empivye. I its service, way shall WILY Violate, or evau auy of the provisions ot his act, or commit any fraud upon the city, o1 Vertany of ihe public property to lis own Use shall be aeemed guiity Of a aisdemeanor, and, iu addi- thon to the penalties imposed vy law, slial: ierteat his office.” in vioiauon of these provisions of the law, JusepL. Periey, who, prior to the passage of the char: ter o: 1875, Was Uhiet Snginecr of ine department, made an arrangement with the Amoskeag Mauuracturing Conmpany that they were to pay him gadon each valve jor the sew York sive vepartment. ihe or, ceipttor the payment of the first imstaiment of this royalty or perceniage is signed by Jerey & Urr, the latter then and now ab enginerr in the department, but the unders:andiug OF urigiial agreement Was made with Mr. Periey. I submit herewith copies ot the receipts for money paid on these valves, and the correspondence between the Amosseag (om and their agent in thw cuy (hereunto annexed marked A”). As stated in tae original repert, when Paliett made a Win ior damages, tie departinent discarded ali these ives upon Which a royalty or percentage had been paid, Sud sdupted a valve, patented bY Gubert J. Urr, em fincer and Superintendent of the Fire vepartinent ite- pair shous [learn that one-half interest in Wis valve Gus beeu ass gued vo one Li. U. Perey, a brovher of the resivent ol the Gevarusens aad suco assignment is on le in the ratent Office } ECOND—AS TO EMPLOYERS. | In the report o: Wecember 26, lo74, reterence 1s made to the character of several of the employes ot the partment. ce then I have been turnished with Ollitias report trom the police records, which beats out fully any statements previousiv mae, ‘Which report is uerewith transmitted fer such . iM Your judyment, may deem proyer \herew al Bexed and marke: “5"). THIKD—IN Tu MATTRR OF THR PURCHASE OF THX PATENT AnRIAL FILE LADDER, I hereto annex a copy oi a coumunication which, as I Inforwved, Was heretofore any since the date of ny previous report made w the Board by Wiluam B. White (thea aod now Secretary of the Board), with a memor- Anum of subsequent proceedings ot the soara with felerence to tatmatier (hereto Annexed and marked "OD | venture to remark that the confessed unwillingness of the members of the Board to proceed axainst Mr. White, by declaring his office forfeited, as by law re- quired: sugcests a personal and ansaiivwetory motive in +e iudiviaus: members of the Board tor their course. bespee fn LANDA YJ. HOWE, Commissioner of Accounts. MEMORANDUM Extracts from minus o’ Department, Apr 28, W7S—Commissioners Veriey avd Van Cott present and Commissioner tatcn absent SOLUTIONS. President Periey offered (he tollowing s— Resolved. dhat Wiliam + and he is hereby ecretary of tas Commission, bis April 9 BOt beamg satistactory, Cou moved that the resoiuion ot the Board, ava shat a on the case be called tor rewoved trom vilice as euswer to resolution Commissioner Var lay over umiit a fuil esting speciai meeting to take act. Priday, at il A. M Which was lost—Commissioner \ SMrinative and Lrestdeut F The question Was then taxen « feso mon avd it Was lost—rre: the affirmative and Commiasion lave Ge mecuug ve called tor Friday ary White. n Cott voting in the the negative: the adoption of the dene Perley voting 19 Van Cott in the nega. pmissioner Van Cott then moved that a special take action on the re- sioner Van Catt voting in the amMemats Aeavocantens Fine Derantwerr, Crry or New Yors,, | Friday, April 20, 1875. "§ SPECIAL MERINO. Present—President Joseph L. Perley. There being no jworum present. WXajourued. W. B. WHITE, Secretary. New Yona, July 18, 1376 (Copy. BLA. othaw, Beq. = Dean oin—Mr. Orr, to whom Mr. Perley assigned all is taterest in the self-closing v i New York, say 4 $1.05), and my r the balance furnished 000, as pais beiore, mak avout 344, ord tho ‘amount pretty near. MF. Orr spoke to ine some tine ago avoUt [his mater, amd 16 was my intention when you returned bere from Piita. deiphia, when inst on, to have adjnetea the mater with you and have you «end him a chees for the amount. | une aceount, Re tells me thatit wil be « great convenience to have ietaie wees, ana uatedr (neve le some cejection 90 fay Joung soon your part | propose so pay hin 1 will Watt, Sowever, a rewrnh mali» tore doing so, The vaives, you mber, were inude and vets hero with the wa NOK (hat Mrs rerioy was 10 have $80 apiece twenty one are at waye unpaid tor, a9 f é Yours A correcuy pakeac Maxey: . A. STRAW Maxcnvstin, Agent, 4, July 7% § A. Leer, Fea. R Btk—I have your favor ot the 13th, reterring to nt of royalty on the regulating i Dave mave but forty of these ‘which have Ail been rent w New York. and we Have already paid on fecount of the royalty $1.30, which j*aver the rovalty five on fourteen. In July, 472, the New York Depart fhent Was chprRed With twenty of these valves: In Febru. y, ITS, WH SK, AN in September, W878, with four i tn June, 1843, vou paid Messrs. Perey & Ure 110, im Apri, 1873, yOu para ther $880. Yours, very tents i 4 (Copy.) New Yous, April, 1573, tecerved trom Amoskeag Manufacturing Company, ® ‘acqount of royalty on sell-acting, shut-of valve, from 0. A. Luce. Freley & ORR "0. This receipt f* a true copy of one on file in my office. ~ . Sa elma New Your, June, 1878 wived from Amoskeag Manuiacturing Coinpany, ‘On account of royalty on self-aciing relief valves lew York engines GILBEKE J. OUR feceipt is a true copy of one on fie in my office. ~ ‘BrRaw, Agent, by tA a New Your, July 16, 1874. ment _— GILBERT! J. ORR, | et copies of those on fie in my office. — npany, Amorkeag Manatacturing C ung ‘on account of royalty on seli-ac' New Yorn, May 22, 1875. Scrsnivrenpeyt Gronas W. WaLiina, MusiciPat Pouice, Dew YORs = Dean Sin—Herewith please find reports on characters ot the following-named persons, viz 1 No J—voseph Nommers, No. 15 Waverle No. 2Joveph Wailace, No. 45 South Fift No. S—Albert Osborne, No. 95 Bond street. No. 4#—tienry Lippencott, No. 2 Amity street No, S5—Nathan J, Bennett, No, 50 Hond stree place: avenue. each, the deficien: weg found to be rt delivery io. ¢ matte! ame gubject, ik in reterenve to which reac! the of- we sof the departinent, and the result was that Mr. Tight, within tw '¥ days, ent two bags of oats and two b ply the deficient: This single illustration 1s sufiicient suggest what through a period of eighteen mouths may have been suffered by the city in the purchase of this contractor of teed, oats. hay and straw, N any of the engine houses. | o cheek is permitted ai No measure token to test the quailty and weight of the | rz of feed tos Joseph Spminers holds a posivion in the Fire Depart. moat He h'a notorlous gnoling charteter and? was | goods delivered and, upon My. Wright's representa formerly associated w one “Colonel. dward M. | Alene, these bills are cerufied by the Cummissigners an Gurr" Re Be paren, and, togeter thew "steered men | transinitied ‘on such certification to the Finauce De- | into the a fare bank kept by ‘‘Tom *! d,"* at | | Be . 80 “ 4 In addition to the oj tunity thus afforded to and “tote 2 mamas aneiee 6 variant 1 se —_ taken advautage of oy Ne Wee to the supplies | ane," formeriy keptby Backus and Furley, down own, and lurnished the money ($60) to purchase the tools with whieh the game was first started. now in Backus Is ominers furnished the money to pa to get him acquitted. ie y bud repucation, and 1s a constunt Irequenter 2 Amity sireet and corner of Amity street and Souih Fifth avenue. Joseph Wallace also holds a position in the Fire De- riment, He, too, is a notorious “steerer” for a skin jaru bank, and formeriy run for “Tom shedd's" game, ‘39 Kroaiway, ie plied his vocation as “roper in while holding bis position in the Fire Department. He eau be found at'No. 2 Avity street. ‘Albert Osborne, Dut whove correct name is Albert Gereau, was born in Brooklyn, and holds @ position in the Hire Department. During ‘the war he receive an appointment as paymaster's clerk in the army, and in that position was a “defaulter” to a large umount ot money, was arrested for the offence and confined for a Jong th the jail at Sortolk, Va. He is also a skin game steerer, and can be found at No, 2 Amity street. Hemry Lippencott is another party whos, or was, in the Fire Depariment. He is a notorious “steerer” tor “skin faro games,” and lormerly stecred tor Tom Shedd’« game (sain), 689 Broadway; Ohariey Oatman’s | 093 Broadway; John Haley's skin gaune, 698 | Hroatway ; and was the “cue Keeper’ in the former skin | game of vick Marsh, at the corner of Broadway and | nee siree ¢ has a yery unenviable reputation, aven among | ‘stecring” for | is position in | nt Visitor as ri Hi gamblers, ant was iormeriy engaged in “bance and skin atnes” while boing the Fire Departineat. He also is a coi No. 2 amily str Naihau J. Dennett held «position in the Fire Depart. | ment, and Guring such time followed his vocation of Denke “roperin,” and “steerer” for a ‘skin faro | bank.” ‘He aiso is a daily visttor at No. 2 Amity street. “the above parties compose oue “gang,” and are noted for their hard reputations, Usborne probably having | te worst. The salvon at No. 2 Amity street, kept by “Garry Keating,” is the headquarters of them all. | ‘Trusting that this report may meet with your approval, | | Tam, very respectinily. |) HENRY J. BARLOW. New York, April 23, 1875, To ths HoxonaDix THE Boann oF Fine CouMissionens :— Gextiexex— in reply to your resolution dire me to make a return to you in writing of “all the particulars jn ihe purchase of a certain patent for aerial, dying and bridge adders, without the knowledge or consent ot the Commissioners, and of the part taken by we in said pur- | chase of suich claim or patent,” I beg respectiully to sub- | mit the following statement:— ‘On the lath day of September, 1874, Tentered into an | | agreement to purchase irom Mrs, Scott Uda the letters patent of the United States and ureat Britain in the aerial. tlyiug and bridge ladders. On Septearber 12 18/4, L pau Mrs. Scott Uda the sum of $5.000, nud on eptember 17 the sum of 310,00, as re- | (mired by the provisions of said contract, and on the next day an agreement was delivered to me by her. ‘On September 25, eightdays atter the final payment | above mentioned, ihe warrant of the city of New York, im payment for ‘the right to manufactire and use, for municipal purposes only, the said invention, was deliv- | ered by Mrs. Scott Uda, by her attoruevs. three days thereafer—that is, of September 25—I received trom | Mrs. Scott Uda the sum of $15,100, and on October 10 the | Additiontal sum ot $6,124 89! in’ full for all_ moneys re- | maining in her possession arter payinent of outstanding | oblixatious (by her made dependent upon the collection | I | of the clalin against the city) accompanied by the tol- lowing statement: — RECEIPTS, September 25, amount ot ¢: of New York... Interest on same.... | Total. | ‘DIS SURSEMENTS. | September 25, Ormsby & Shaw, tor professional | ms axainst the city. eervices....- (Sass ~ $3,500 00 | September 2%. LE. N. Dickerson, ‘as’ retainer in ‘pul and the patent involved therein,.....-...- 1,000 00 | September 25, paia W. B. White... . +.-e5 15,000 00 October lu, Leggett & Leggett, for services in tne matter of search.. 429 00 | Inciien'al expenses. October 10, paid W. B. Total... ‘4 New York, October 10, 874. it having been turther verbally agreed that I should purchase the iudder tracks brought to this coantry for | exhibition, in ease such sale met the approval of certain imterested parties abroad, on November 201 paid Mrs. Scott Uda, as per such agreement, $1.0. On December 14, 1374, also paid her $000 for 4 certain improvement made Uy ber after the issue of the origina! patents. From THe Above accounts it therefore results that the total profits derived by me trom the purchase of the above patents Were $4,024 89. You will perceive by this statement that the above was the purchase of the invention, together with all the Patents on it in the two countries mentioned, and not the simple purchase of the claim agaist the city of New ork. i dg not feel called apon by the charges made against the @ porsion of the public press, yet 1 will recail to your | recollection the tact that the’ contract on which this claim against the city was based was conciuded, as you aware, iM the meeting of your Houurable Huard ot February il, 1874, ana the bili transmitied to the Finance weparument by your order for paymenton rebruary 12—thatis to Say, seven months belore this project of sale on the part of Mrs. Seott Uda, which tact ot itseif exciudes any intention ‘to unduly intivence inmy owa oF or it that of the Commussion the payment by the (this claim. A warrantior payment had, indeed, drawn by the Compiroller, and’ was countersigned by tae Mayor some time im the mouth of May ; but it was Withheld irom te cisimant for reasons not assigned. Some months later, the Comptrolier still strenuously op pounce the payment, suit was insttuied, wih every Prospect of ai imaennite prolongation. ‘Under these cireumstances, Mrs. Scott Cda, desiring ‘to sell, the par chast Was made bY me with a view to obtaining pos- sesmiun of a patent I believed to be of value. The then peudinz anu unsettied claim against the city, as you wilk see by Felerring to the agreemeut—agreement, assign- ments, and receipts were subuutied to the Cominission crs—Was Hot u aue the subjeet of ar 1 mention or arrangement, hut, like various other hexotiations more OF less acyanced In oiher cities, uaturally and inevitably Subsequent ase Leareiully retrained trom at empting, ctly. to influence the payment of the ant had closed her negotiauons with the contract had been stipulated Paid, and had ree Y which the Comi id give seven monihs nh her were ended, se engaged in a iltiga partment, wi precluded rt. officially or otherwi Oar bidding my entering n inte @ transaction in w e wud duiy were no longer ¢ heretore. feel that | was violating any offic! > the Cousmiasioners in entering into the ‘our resoiution to remte | ‘ommission or myself uy | Canie Into my Possession wiih the patents to my pure fetal audit As its nec with i any I knew a Laid now oblization above business contract “without their knowledge or cousent Cgnscious that the city has not lost one dollar by my acti the premises, and teeiing that your honorame Commission has been in ho way compromised by the same, | do noc ieel called upga to offer any apologies for a step Laken, to the best of my belief, in the ent.ely male exercise of My Tights as a private citizen Respectiully submitted, WILLIAM B. Weill Orrick oF THe Commissionn 3 Ouaanens stemet, New YoRm, De Hign. Saxunu B. HH. Vaxce, Mayor of the city of Sew ‘ork :— din—Cpon the 16th inst. the Commissioners of Accounts ' received from you a communication in which you re quest, tt the report ommissioners ou the Invest. 11 gation mad= by them reaung to the Fire Department Was completed, tat the same be transmitied to you The Invesug tion referred to im this communication was Proceeded with in compliance with a resolution unani. inousiy adopted by tne Board of Aldermen on the lih of sept inber iast, whic luuon and relative preambie War in (he following terms Whereas, if is alleged that grave irregularities exist 1m the Managegnent ol the business of the Fire Depart. thatia¥ored persons, reiative ne of the ers and others, are engaged in furnishing supplies without an opportanity being given for competition, as ¥ and thatthe expenses ot the departa fsegnence in be it therefore ieolved, That the Com and are hereby directed tw exam manner of (ransacuine the busine ment of this city, partiewlarly im the purchase of ma- terials and suppiles, the making of contracts, and report thereon to thit Board at their ratiiost c ence, to- ether With such suggestions and recommendations aa hey may deem cenductve to the iuterests of this erty.” ine duty of making tne investigation required by this resolation was devolved by the Commisuoners of Ac- couuts on the undersaned. The examination has been a protracted one, owing principally to the difficulty ex- perienced i tracing sou tue matiers upys which [ considered it necessary tu have fall inturimauon. Ket, As TO 7 or sorrute: The practice of the wepartment ss for each of the ea- gine companies and bircaus of the department to make Fequision tpom the Commissioners for three montus’ supplies requir pany or bareau, whieh Feqitisitian, ~ throogh the hands’ of the Com: aunittel by uem to the Supertn- ten nso far as the same is ap. prove by ne Superinvendent inakes the puredase desired. Of an examination ot the dupheate bilixon fie with the general bookkeeper of the department it Would appear as if tae purchases but the fact really were wade in complauce With jaw, is at im Making these Purchases fo rezar! was paid ty the prohibitions and restrict et the charter. These provisions have been persisientiy evaded in the Purchases made by the department. ince the present Comuissioners entered upou the daties of their office, on the ita day of May, i873, ail the enppties or the ue- partment of feed, bay, oats aud straw have eon purchased * of Wrikht, of Forty- ninth streec and second avenoe. Mr. Wrignt isa brother-in-law of the Presiaent ot the department, Mr. cerley. The supphes ot feed, hay and straw required ior the 2 horses in that ont has been exensive, Dut no contract was mad department with Mr. Wricht, as the charte ides and requires: The teed, oats, bay and siraw auper fntendent of Supplies by writ rate, which specifies the quantity of each to be suruisled during the month ensuing to each engine Company or bureatt the superintendent represeat+—althougn nove of his a of Mr. Writien orders tat J bave seen in the p Wright bear so upon their ioo—that the Teed, lay, oats and straw to be supplted were to be of the best quality, 4 standar| weight aud measure. ihe feed, hay, onte and straw ordered is delivered at the various emane houses. &c., by Mr Wright, on such dav and hour as he may agiees eo. and ‘oats are deliverea in bags, and the Bay an aw in cales, The person who re- Coives the delivery signs a ticket for % inany bac of feed and oats, and so jnany pounds of Nay and straw, ‘he namoer of bays of foed And oats, and of pounds « hay and stfaw, are Written inthe ticket br Mr. Wright, and (his is the feket which is signe, by the person to whom the delivery is made at the engine house of bureau. ihere are no facilities provided at any of the engine enable aby person there ia charge to test the Teen is mstrneted with yt aeeing that the ieed detivered os ot the quas oudard require i, or thatthe bay and atraw are and weight represenied. This, certainiy, ianagement of (he imrpishing of supplies not to yie, departineut; it leaves an opporta- nity for the tYactor 10 deliver interior goes and of Jess weight and mexaare than required, and when it ts Consiieren that the conteactoe in thiscase Was @ tear Feln‘ive of the presiding officer of the department, it would ve easily seen how effectually the subordinates Were silenced ax io What they might se or «aspect in hous accuracy of the weight, aud no the auty ity oF he qnasity mot Feiation to thos suppliea. That the syvtem has been is pre PPineresteot the city ts evidenced byt on the men ebarge of one engin wich Mr. ou the 101 tin the suai manner, m the orde entent 1 b bags ot teed inen, led to their Of outs and engine Prevatied on the part ot th Oiis and feed, inthe absence of the foreman, to where liwas weighet, and found to tai! coniderably short rhe ten bag* of oats ought to have comiainel eanty pounds to each b md when it was weighed it was found to fall short about 169 pounds, caual to two bags | on & delivery of tem bags. The eight bags of feed ought ~ have contained sixty | | chiet of battalto: jurmished by him Thave found, after aeareiul inquiry not ouly among feed merebants in the city, but aiso one of our thost promivent mercantile firms, who require in their busi ly 100 horzes, that the prices charged ned paid ht are upon an average ittieen per cent in excess of the Fuling market rates for the per stated. Otuer supphes, such as telegraph wire, poles, fr hose, &c., were purchased by the department In quanitiugs greatly In excess in value of the amount al jewed by iaw. and the bills for the same were subi: Yided 1n amounts so as to represent the purchases as Jess in value than $1,000, Great irreguiariiies exist in the matter of repairs in the engine house, de. Jn this, that trom February 18, 1674. down to the pres- ent time,all the painting tor the department has oeen done by & person Who is bot now nor ever has been & painter. ‘He is a man of unenviable notoriety in this community, ‘Ihe monopoly of the painting business of the depart: ment has been secured to him, and his bilis cousin coarges tor the raw material alone to twenty-five per cent higher than the market rates, while the quantities chargea are largely i excess of What Was required tor any speertic work, “With so many men in the employ- | jcnt of the department who have leisure suficient upon their hanus and capacity certainty equal to this tavored | monopolis:, there is ho justificaiion in the Commission | ers of the department employing this individual at all, The repair shops in klizabeth street are managed by a | called Superintencent, Mr. Gilbert J. Orr, and he has inder him about sixty men, inciuding foreman and ciers, ‘The majority of the supplies used by the Fire Depart ment, except feed, coal, telegrapn supplies badges, &c., aye iwither consumed ’by of pass through this bureau, ‘these supplies are eucered in @ book tor that purpo: but only as regards the quantity received, not the cost, Jo means is taken w ascertain, and no Leoks are meee showing the actuai cost of repairs on any specific work. At is impossible to see how the departinent can arrive Atuny saiisimctory result as to the proper eouduct of this branch of thé department, in the course of my investigation I learned that some time in the early part of 1572 Joseph L, Perley, then | Chiet engineer, and now President of the departinent, | and Giibert J. Orr, then engineer, and now superin- | tenitent of the’ repair yard in Ebgabeth street, led a | caveat in the Patent Office for a pivent for a relist valve | for a steuun fire enxine, and one Robert Pallett then and | | now an engineer iu the Fire Department, two months later filed an appiicauon tor the same valve, clatmin itas his original invention. ‘hisied to a protracte: contest before the Patent Office. The matter was | brought ap betore the pretiminary examiner, and upon | his decision appealed to the Board of bxaminers-in- | Chiet by Messrs. Periey aud Orr, and apon their de- | cision appealed to the Commissioner ot Patents, who, | on the ésth of March, 1874, in deciding the matter, con- cluded his opimon as totlows ‘allett was first in the office with a caveat and he ti constricted the inven tion ant applied i to Use, and its operation was wit- nessed with commendation by the other parties. rericy | saw iti July, 15/0, 00 sngine No. l& ihe Board re- mark there is nothing to sow that Verley had any part in the work of invention, and in argument Lam asked | tw ignore the claim to Jolut inventionship by Perley and | Orr. But Lam constra by the lestinoiy to go sult | | | further and inore the ims of Orr, even as a sole in- ventor."” During this controversy before the Patent Office, the Atmoskeag Manntucturing Company, of Munchester, N. ., made and furnished to the rire Department several | of these valves. these vaives are not in use by the de- artment, but & Valve 1s HOW Used patented by Gilbert . Orr, one of these parties, under date of May 19, 1874 | and the Valves in controversy have been discarded, i deemed it essential to mace a full aud thoroush in- vestigation of this matter, and I jearned that, pending | this litigation before the Patent Office, and while the matter was undecided, Mr, Meriey made an arrange- | ment with the smoskeag Company by which he was to receive $50 each for every valve sold to the Fire Depart- mont, claiming it as bis invention. Liearned that forty Of these valves bad been delivered to the sew York Fire Department, but not stamped a: being the invention of any person, and upon these Vaives, April 90, 1873, Messrs. Perley '& Orr were paid $e. Un June 7, 1573, Orr was paid $00), andon July | 16. 1874, Orr was paid $700, claiming that vericy haa as signed ‘his interest t . making a total payment of $.,v0U by the Amoskeag Company on forty vaives, the whole cost of wuich, including the royalty, amounting | to $5,440, leaving $1,440 the amount the Aimoskeag Com- pany received. | 1 in April, 1874, Paliett mace a clain | uuder, as he | claims, ‘bad ‘advice, for excessive damages. Ihe Gepartment thea abolisied ull the | Valves that had been paid tor, and um May 19, | 1874, Gilbert J. Orr was awarded a patent for areliel — vaire of similar nature and the one now in use by the cepartinent. Jt will be noticed that the last payment by | the Amoskeag Company was two months aiter the de- | partment had abousied the vaives aud about tour inonths after the Patent Office had decided that: Messrs, reriey and Orr had no claim in the original valve. Upon the adoption of the Orr valve, Paliett then com- | menced a suit in the United otates Cireuit Court, for iu- Iringe my of his patent and ciaiming damages. This suitis now pending and special counsel has been re- taived tovetend it on the part of the city. 1t will appear, therefore, that the city has paid jor the torty valves | heretotore reterred to. and to which Messrs, Pericy & ‘Orr had no claim as inventors, aud has involved itse(tm litigation, the resuit of which is*yet to be determined ihe price paid for the Urr valves now in use by the department is excessive, they costing ne department about $# each, aud can ‘be furnished Jor Jess than oue- hai) the cost. ‘Giibert J. Orr tas also another patentin use by the department, called the smpire Distributing Nozaie, and soid to the department for $100 each by Uiiton, of this city. ihe iuodels for this invention, I am informed. were mace in the repair shop; and without entering into the mertts of this invention, tor which @ great deal 19 imed by the inventor, I am constrained to say that, trom informaiion received, these nozzles can be manu- iacuured, giving @ good profit, for one-hait the price paid by ihe department. hese vatves and nozzles, I am inrormed by the Su- | perimiendent of Supplies ‘are wet purchased by him, the certificate on the bills on file in the, depart- ment as to the correctness of cost being mad® by the inventor, One of the Orr valves w: Hartford, Conn., by the foreman ot the repair shops, who was granted leave of absence tor this purpose by the inventor (the superintendent), drawing salary white he Was away. | have also ascer- tamed that one of chese valves hes been sent tw Chicago | and applied to an envine, and its adoption recommended by one of the Fire Commissioners. SECOND—AS TO EMPLOTES. | In compliance with rection 105, chapter 335, Laws ot 1873, [have made an examination into the cuties of the employs o( the departinent. Several of those appointees | hold mere sinecures, other appoinices are well Known | aracters, in a calling the reverse of honest and bouor- | auie. L shall be giad to commumente to you personally | ali the facts i have ascertained 10 reference to tas mat- ter. Another very improper appointment was that of the w oman Burke, im the kidricge street Who Was convicted some ten aays since im the General Sessions of this city ana sentenced to ftteem years’ imprisonment in the State vrison. This man bad previously been convicted, and Was a terror to ail who knew him, He was allowed to retain his position of | trust, While his character was weil Known and ater he had been indveted for pr cer of these and other appointments ts 0 that itis | to ve hoped, with & that the notoriety thus given thea 10 a ner, and the attention thas directed to the general contact of the de- paruneat, some radical improvement will be adopted betore the encire torce bet yee demoralized, ax it seems must be the result st this state o1 aiairs continurs. THIKO—A8 TO PROPERTY. | At the central offies, in Mercer street, there is a prop- erty clerk. whose duty it is to Keep a record of all prop- oriy returns—in other words, stock on havd—showiy the disposition of the property, whether condemned, used. or on hand, ery three m ‘he, as returned to hin from the diffreat engine companies and bureaus, se returns are Inade OMY as regards quantities on had, and not the cast The clerk condenses these property returns into a book for this purp: owing columns the gross quantity o articie rimentevery ifree months. Upon an examibation of the Property book as used by the present departnent, | learned that v. D. Murphy, who placed on anengine in | their property clerk auring my examination, aud removed, October li, ha de up the books the quarter ending June 30, 1873, to the last quarter of this year, ior Which be had returns. Mr. Murphy was only appointed on December 19, 1875, and therefore had t Ko Duck seven mouths, being @ period whea he was not employed by the department, to make vp th saccount, ithe had commenced the ac- count then, bat | learned also that this book was not or- dered to be made antil March, is74, and was vot delivered to the Fire Department gatil the zist of May, i576, 80 that | te Vroperty «ler had towait unul twelve months | afier the book should have been cominenced to write it ue, lL also learoed that the property book oft «Hoard is missung, nd no explanation given for its absence. As this book was the only record Of the stwck on hand, giving the disposition of the pi erty ab every 4 except the eeveras revurines he tofore spoken 01 as mace In detail by the companies and Us, Its almeuce It the department is a matter of It will be ses from the foregoing that no complete property record was kept by the departient tor one Zone atter they came Into office, and it 1s diMeuit to ee ow any correct revarn could be kept in the absence of the old pooka On February 1, 1873, the old Board purchased thirty- four Navona fire extinguishers at $60 each, amounting to $1.92), which, together With those already in the de- partinent, made about ninety extinguishers, At as tate & pertod as July, i74, charges were purchased by the Present department for these extinguisners, and in Jan- nary, le74, fifty-four were condemneu and soid at ane- These fifty-four werr purchased ; bat It would appear that about we \, or eatly part of 1374, the thirty-towr been purchased daring the year were also con- tion for avout $2 each. exther in 12 oF | i turned into the Kepair Yard, where seven- ware, and six are suid’ to be in West- en as tresh water tankson the engines, and the balauce have been cut up for trimmings on the poles of te hoox and iadder wagons. t tne. fity-tour that were condemned and sold lasted n 1899 wid seem as if the (hirty-tomr pure chased in 157 id have lasted as long Iheve last extinguishers were all el-piated, ana i am iniormed were cot up With great care for the wepartuent: putin place of all these extingutsners the deparunent were Fuppiled with the Bancock extinguisher—a prominent official of the company which supplies them being a brother of the Presiient of the department. Respect- sully submitted, LIsDSAY J. BOW se, REPAVING OF STRERTS. Corporation Counsel Smita seo: in a commumi- Cation relative fo the tll passed hy tne last Lewis- latare regulating tie repaving of streets. Le sets fori) tae point< of the iaw as empowering t Beara of Aldermen to direct the repaving of err- tain streets on recommenvation oi the Comini- sioner of Paohe Werks, Five bunirea thousand aollars can alone be expended in the first your for tis purpyse, 10 ve appropriated to the Department of Prubitec Works by tne board of Katimate and Apportionment. It appears wat this appropriation cannot be made so as to go into operation beiore next year. Mr. Smith rec- ommends an examination of the subject, in order that anexpended balances of other departments may be transierrea immediately and appued to the repaving of the atreste, | FITZ JOUN PORTER AND Te HARLEM FLATS. | Vomuusesioner of Paoic “orks rorver sent in the joilowing Communication to the Board on the Harlem flate nuisance: To tHe HowoRaste rie Boano oF Atornaen:— GuNtieMER—L have the honor to acknowledge the re- Ceipt of the resoimtions adopted py your nonoraule Board on the I7th inst, requesting iné to examine the work of filing and draining the tariem fats, done an der iy predecessor, and tv cause such addidonal Mining aay, ith thy Opin, be required, to be done hme: tely; mito to confer with the Borrd of Health, wilt ppeuing pr ¥ owners to il up their ae be adopt vent. and to measures to inepect thy wage of the dis- trict, and to improve it if necessar. the subject of improving the conditiom ot lands between Yorkville and Harlem has engaged my attention and thavof the engine: for some time past, and the result of and commernnces with the Commissioners of the Mi the view of eu iba | possible time, | Kepcin the books, showing the amounts speciilcaily set tne low | of this department | F investigations | yras, the ig te ned in my | ci lonor jayor, oo ety inst. 4 ci ted by him to you e adoption of ordindnces | Ww. ting the duling and draining ot four separate sec | ons of jand cove all ths work necessary to be done. | All work to be done for the improvement these lands will have to be paid from the proceeds of assessment ‘n bu Um Mab bonds, and will be assessed upon the property senetited. “"Resolveu Your action by ordinance may be necessary to legal and. prepal the assessments and to meet the objections of th aon rn Finance Vepartinent to the pagent of any expenditure unless legally authorized beyond technical cavil. In order to secure in advance the necessary material for Alllug 1 have advertised for oflers of clean earth in that vicinity, amd have recetved quite a number from prop- | } erty owners willing lo give surplus earth to the city free | av oi charge; but l will be unable to avail myselt of these offers unui authorized to incur the necessary expendi- tures tor hauling, &e, Very sespecttully, FILZ JOUN PORTER, Commissiouer of Public Works. Consideration of the communication was lald over. REPORT AS TO MANAGEMENT OF THE PARKS, The Commissioners of Accounts sent im the fol- lowing report as to the management of the Park Department, which was ordered priuted:— Overton oF THY CommissionrRs oF Accoui } Ory Hatt Park, New Youx, June 24, 1875, To rue HONORABLE THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN :— GuntLeMEN—We herewith transinit « report made by Cowmissioner Howe (to Whom the matter was referred), M Compliance With A resolution passed by your honor- able body on Mareh 26, 1575, Kespecttully, JOUN'J, WKSIGAY, ¢ Commissioners of JOUN Wirebis, §— Accoun's: Orrick oF nx CoMmIssiONyns oF AccoUNS, |} No, 82 CHAaMpuns STRXET, New YORK, June 23, 1875, To The COMMISSIONERS OF “ACCOUNTS:— a GeENTLEMEN—Upon the 23th day of March, 1876, the fol- lowing resolution Was unanibously adopted by the Boars of Aldermen. which resoiution and relative pre- anible are in the 1ollowing terms :— “Whereas it is reported that rave irregularities exist in the manner ot keeping, the accounts in the Depart- mencot Public Parks, and, in consequence of such irrey- tacties, by which it is alleged. appropriations for specitic purposes have been used for other purposes Without autuority, the department has found it neces sary to curtat! the Working force in the Bureau of Con- striction, and nearly hall of the workmen employed therein Were yesverday dismissed from the employ meet of (he comniission; be it theretore “Kesolved, Jhat the Coumissioners of Accounts be and they are hereby directed to investigate the books and accounts of the Departinent of Public Parks, paying par- ticular attention to the uses of and expenditures under the appropriation for constraction account aud the counts of Maintenance ana government, and report Tesuit of (heir exagunation to this pourd at the earliest and the Oonunittee of finance, now or examuibation of a like character, be ite with the Commissioners of Ac- tion '* | jately engaved in a Hl counts in such invest taxation and tor construction purposes are the inoueye whlch nave been raised trom the sale of vonds specially authorized by successive acts ol the Legislature. IU appears from the books of the deparunent that from January |, 1873, to January 1, 1875, a period ol two years, no account, such 4% an appropriation account, has been apart for any particular purpose; hor have accounts | ou been kept of the umount a¥ailable for the completion of | ret Works of construction, the moneys for which were to be derived trom the sale ‘ot bonds. ‘The absence of this ace count is adefect which makes a complete exhibit of the state of aftairs it the books ampossibie. From January 1. 1/3, to May 1, 3874, the Commission- ers, theough the Treasurer, F. W. Whittemore, disbursed all moneys of the department, receiving the amouni large sums trom the Comptroller, upon requisitions inade by the Commissioners of Paras. They also received cervain other inonsys from the sey- ral towns of West Farms, Yonkers, Kingsbridge, &c. being a portion of a proportionate amount these towns Were to pay for certain improvements in that territory. During this period January 1 to May 1, I8/s—the) re. ceived trom Comptrolier Green $160,000 on account of | maintenance and government of parks and places, of wich sum only $122,915 94 was expended on mainten- ance account. They also received from same source $23.00) on account of construction, which amount was enurely expended, together with the balance of the Maintenance money aud such other sums are set fortn in the following schedale, showing receipts and disburse- ments during this period SH RECEIPTS FROM JANUARY TO MAY, 1873. | | deceived from Easteheste | Received from licenses. Macomb's Dam’ Bridge... Kingsbridge... 50 | and, secon: Fordoam Bridge... eee 281 38 On amount erroneously charged twice 1,027 10 Amount pald to Caamberiain. Cash in ban’, &0....... ff ihe . Paid for constraction with money set apart for maintenance. Pare on accoun! Faris, Yonkers, &c., moneys. Amount paid ou Account of con PLOPET... 4. «+ Total... nd . 241,311 OL + 2+ $464,968 OL department w: changed by the charter of 4573, and all payments we made by tue Comptroller, with the excepuow that the uri On. May "1," 1878)" the” system in’ ti meetin) ted :— ‘Resolved, That a statoment of the facts con id report’ reiative to ihe erroneous charges made against the fund for the construction, erection and Malutenance of the building tora Museum of satural History be transmitted to the Cotmptroiler of the erty of New York, aud that he be and is wereby respecttully re- quested to'transter on the books of the Finance vepart- $35,106 52, erroneousiy clarged to that und, to the fund provided by chapwer 64, Laws ot 1874, for the consirucuon and improvement of the public parks, squares ana places.” “Hesoived, Chat the said sum of $33,103 52 be and the sume is hereby directed io be reserved out ot the tund provided by said chapter 645, said fund for the constructio auce of said building tur a Muse Whatever pretex. may be made as to the recommen- dations contained in :hese resolutions, as spread the minutes of te Board, the simple signification of the samy Was thatthe Department of Varss had expea ed | OUL OF the moneys specially set apart by the statute of 15/1 forthe purpose of erection, construction and main= tenance of this building, an amount: thereby reduced tae «mount availanl aud expended the moneys AVON Works of construction expiarned. mn | a diser tainty oi result. Section 91, chapter 335, Laws of 1s7 “Whenever ‘any work 18 nece plete or perfect a needed tor an, 9 | as to be undertaken, or supply iurnished tor the Corpo- ration, and the several parts of the said work or supply woah together involve the exp $1,000, the sume shail be done by contract * * Teds otherwise ordered by a vote jnenivers elected to the Common, Council. provision of law has been evaded py the Commission- ers, the bills ior which were rendered for an amount ‘within the pronibitions and restrictions of the Charter, but were continual and successive purchases of the same patties, or the same purposes, and the several 50S 16 | parts of which together involved the expenditure ot rhe prominent joata “aha Placea by structures tor a similar purpose made of Iron, rea landscape architect recommendin, y chapter enue. grading and di places as the ‘tion of these bi Ment the sum ot erred. tO. more than $1,000. ‘that on we 1 uence, receives, it wi who mace the above report. | and restrictions of the charter above reterrea to these urinals were ordered separately one alter another, and the department have now recetyed eight, ata cost or FY hi, atl. proper that it s determined by compeutio ‘The depurtinent also purchased considerable quan- tities of niling, ‘Treasurer \o same pa the im | use provided that a nual anges of which should uot exceed $35\ ding. ‘, fir, the Department of Parks, at a meeting hela that day, alopted 1 y ination m: at Mal ‘of the tur the Metropolitan 756, Lag ar ature. d tor the 6: law to be erected by tal useum of Art. By | of Art was authorized to be erected BuW ib process of erection at ——— street and The American Museum ot Natu being erected on Manhattan square, at seventy-sevento strcet and Sighth avenue. the statute of 4871, auchorizing the fund or stock (which was to be desigual of Art and Natural History stock) provided taat such fund or stock Was for the purposes simply of construct ing. erectng and maintaining sach buildings. e moneys to be expended for the purposes of regulating, ‘&c., of Manhattan square, or suc! ight designate tor th ory vent idings, were to be de! of « public fund oF Stock, authorized to successive acts of the Legislature, and such moneys 80 expended are charged on the books of the department to geberal construction On April 18, Lo74, the ouestion of maki tlon as to the amounts of moneys expendes buildings was referred to the and the Treasurer (Mr. Willi October ¥, 1874, these gentien Board at some’ length. giving a stavement in moneys already expended, and an estimated amount due oi all contracts pending. e same law it juseum mert+ a iter [4 Art the At stock should be crested, the 00 on toilowing -— ‘ith pala vane aded eon of the bufiaings um of Natit in rved unt, won) tor made a erection not Nat tor nid IN RELATION TO SUPPLIES. to arise y 10 ue of id's tae Musou one y: department tor Tiistory, and also Ws uf L373, the Metropolitan Museam and Furth History 1s tral Park, public eer eC trom the issue be issued by an examina- ‘on these two President (Mr. Sveboins) eport, and on report to the detall of all On November 6, 18/4, at & ot the Soard the following resolutions were ined in ws of 1974, to reimburse nd mainten- ural History.” upon exceedins $3500, and thar purpose, the examination has been @ protracted one, owing | outside tue baulatbe. broper, and which expendi- principally to the uifficulty experienced in tracingsome | tures should ave been provided for out ot the Bi the matters Which were notexplicitly stated inthe en- | proceeds of bonds issued for the purpose ot geu- trieg in the buoxs ot the department, erai coustruction, An amount exceeding $10,000 has AS TO MAINTENANCK AND CONSTRUCTION ACCOUNTS, | awo dean sponte on works adjoining the Metrupolitan | me moueys appropriated for maintenance raisod by | siuxeuurof Art, aud cburged to the tund authorized ont for (he purposes ot the erection of that buuding, whic! should have been charged up against the tuna author wed to be issued for general construction, as heretorore Thus the Department of Parks have misap- pled moneys authorized only tor the purposes of crec- tion, constriction and maintenance of these two buiid ings, to an amount exceeding $45,000. in addition to T moneys misapplied, and which have be ‘A portion of the $38,106 5. t excavations for the 1oundations of the Museum of Natu- ral History, and was properly charged against the tund tor its erection, and the remainder of Iwas expended in construction Work on the square. been charged against the coussructio accounts Were hot nept separate, Lor can de without great iaboF and uncer- 1 already sexpendsd in shoulu have provides that @ dove to com= particular job, or any supply is day of January, ers, at a meeting held that avy ahe Chairman ot the Exec report of the proceedings mending, that the following action be taken by tho ‘e ten brick urinals now in Central Park be re- ithe most approved p sufliclent to accommodate six person: Lhis report by the Lxecutive Comimitiee was in cor Arst, of a report having been made b; @ change oF ur purpose, whic. th. ye Comat D. aod ui uditure ot h work or job more than * un- fourths of the * * this nee of this is Commission- @ Jullowing © presented a f that committee, recom- t they be of u size adopted. from an appleation made by M. Buckarack, patentee of a certain iron urinal, tor an or- der jor hi; inanutaeture, and, upon his application being reterred ty the bxecufive Committee, ‘do evade the prohibitions being exclusive of the cost of butiding C., OF . Which costs about e nature of tnis wor! ould be done by contract, and the price ie made i sive orders as follows :— 400 additional tor each t particularly wiven by the med and exercised ihe rigs w disburse | March 27, lovt—J. D, tracy. WO yards of Milling, at. ‘ed trou. the several towns heretotore re- | $l per yard... 8 a Be ‘$900 00 ferred to. No change Was made mi the sysiem ot ace | April 18/ 874—J. D. Tracy, 900 yards of iillini counts, and no discovery Was apparentiy made that they | | $1 per yard. rs sina 00 bad inisapplied the 1ads specifically set apart for main- Ay 29, “iit dracy. 1,00 yards niling at tenance aii the 17th of Cetober, 157% | Weents per yards... cc pees mins soos 900 OD Upon this discovery tae Vresidcni, under advice trom | December %, 187$—James slatiery, 959 loads of the Compiroiler, repurted to she Board that as the ap- | | siond at $1 per joad sens 0 propriadon tor ‘maintevance was nearly ‘exhausted, | December 29, 1873—James Slattery, 9) loads of (hey mast purchase supplies moderately, and, if neces- stone, at $1 pef low feeeseee a sary, have tie bills made payable In 18a, e@dstoceme | January 13, Is74—vaes olacte out of the appropriauon for that year. sone, at $1 per load....... ri) however, Was hot adiered to, but at a meet- era, held Uctober 27, 1873, on mo- | Williamson, the following pre- were adopied /— “Whereus tae wllowing expenaitures during the year In7 nave beew charged .0 inaintenance of parks and | piaces, Which migat properly have veen charged w the consiruction aud improvement of parks and places, to Sa - he sum of $9,559 88, which was expended for the | propagating department, aud which hay been charged to Maintenance if Cousequeuce of the wimitecreated by Fesyiution of the Bowrd, -.ovember 2, 187. “Yue suar of 9.0, wiiea was expended for the con- | Struction vt the Hew'system of Walas ana seats on the | Mali and charged to maintenance, im pursuance of a resolgtion of .ac ioard of sta ot aay, 15 therefore, Swesotved, That ihe bookkeeper is herevy uirected to transier upon (ie books of Unix department the sata sev eral suns, amounung In the aggregate to $1U05) 55, | 1 the debit of Uie Maintenabee account to the ebit Of tue consiruction account; and, in the 1 has pla ing ot the € aon of Col order inat books may agree With those ot the Finance Department, | secretary is herepy directed to certity to the Comp: Wer upon ihe payrolls tor the remaimuer ol the Year | $80. AMOUNLAGUAL 1 sald AWoUN! ot $1y,369 °S as cou- | the SUEUEHON OUL ol [he Waluieuauce AcooMaLS ” rhe departinent kad made the error of using mainten- ouey ior construction purposes, and they under | chit by Charging construction payroils to JateMance Account. 1 compliance with this resolution the bookkeeper mad? such horized hin tw do, aud tis enicy unuer th wally added $0.54 59 to mainven nt The ee moneys had been alr reduced by the depariment during the jirst four months Of 15/4 by using parc of It lor cunstrucuon purposes. ihe Commussioners however, only certified, im pursu- ance of the gbuve resoluuon, to tures vayralls, amount- Ig 10 $7,525 .6, atu om Decetnber 1875, ihe booxaeeper Makes a closiuz entry in maintenance of Central Mark waereby fie charges that account With $43,063 w#, being just (he amowat Of moneys misapplied out ot muinten- ance aecunat ior coustructON purposes ihe conittsion created by this ireguiar system et con- | ducting the aairs ot the Department renders It impos- nibie tu accuratel iron its accuutte its tr sand purchases made y te departinent, were found | Ant of Appropruttions tor that usinitied to the to isis were re- | dat this une re- | ing. wa: y and such of the: Fimanee Department as a tagnea so tue Depariiment ot Parks, & Main Unpaid to AN AMoURE slighy ex 1.48 is Hus im Accordance With section BY of the charter, Which Provides that “nu expense shail be incurred by | any of the departments, boards or offivers thereat, | | liniess an appropriation shail have been previously made Coverity, such Expense, ‘AS 10 CONSTRUCTION ACCOUNT, On the Ist ot May, 1574, when the Finance Department commenced paying Ue accounts of this deparcment, tere Was luen remaining ia the pands ut Hie Comptrol- | ed Dalanve oF 9704), Applicable to | mer king the total amount avaiable for constructioy, down to the present date, $1,320.04), been exhausted, anu on the 334 of M: discovered th Consequence of @n error of the book. Keeper, the baldtve of (his account Waa $700) less th h= had’ been reprevea A, ali Works ja process of completion pa; count. were stopped. and ali empioy ged Were suspended oF discaatged. Upan this second dis | covery the old bookkeeper, Who had been ain | Tine, 1874, “was called upon te examine the accounts, ‘und witn ihe present bookkeeper preparcd a report to the Commissioners. It appeats from this report that | {he reco. book which it was claimed was ordered to | be kepe by the Finance Department was not correc anderenit ithad been wouid not represeat the affairs Or the department correctly, and tha: also through the Yocorrectness or this book this @iificulty has aren. Fhis radieat detect m the system ot accounts 1s twily | admitted in the language of the report. iuis book was tu howise 4 book ut record, Was hot made up from any figures obiained from the general books, and ts anotuer | eeidence that the accounts in use by nmissoners. | A mere record of tranaaetions, ONC I8 Not Kept on Motrect uf comprehensive. s that ® balane: drawn from it Will how a true exuibit of the affairs of fue yepartinent, and that the accounts are susceptible ot | a radica: change for a better conaact of Its business, | Iisude, 1574-8 new kookKeeper took ci book's, aml at the close of 1874 made No balay December of tor the year, as he stat all the ac- Counts painnced and it Was unnecessary, while the | bouks of tlie department show that tnere are a number or unbalanced accounts daung back to 1871 stil open, ha having debit or credit balances in some cases to a iarge amou o1 cle Amount availavle Mav 1, 1878. iewrisiature of 187%, appropri Vegisiacure ot 1574, approptiated... TOtAl vee. syreee Bilis sent to Comptro! in 187 weer eevee in it saat To April 9, 1875... .. ‘dreasurer’s order of wap stone, at January 31, 1s74—James Slattery, stone, at $1 February 5, $450.09) a to pay Section Legisiatare of A875 authorized the issue | held ve othe extentot $1000" for this purpose, and | mina lature of 84 appropriated 925),0W more, inak- | that | Ra ry. 18, ‘otal... 0 tor collec vane th Hoard of Esttr January 21, .3/4—James per load... ir lon Bit—J a stone, Bt $1 per lens.... ‘48 TO kee ray Itiselaimed by the Vepariment ot | claim the Comptrolier ent dentiy coucur—that the saiaries of the Ire: their clerksand the rent ot tacir offices must be provided jor parually outot the ¢ ceeds of boads and also our of tae Amount set apart by ud Apportionment ay applicable to salaries out of maintenance wien Is raised taxation. ihe poard of i stimate and Apportionment, ia revising the oudget on June 24 1874, designuied thé amount of ppicable tothe mamtenance and govern. ment of paras and places, and auciuding ing, preservation nin the Americin Museum oi Natural Hi Metrupolitan Museum of Art, aud includ- Jorporaaon consteuction 1 jaitery. 05) ‘Toads “or woney, Tika. Parks—and in this yansel evi- mt aad all the pro- irom the sum of extubttiv 8 of the salaries of the resident, cietss officers end em- which there Was ot Parks b + ascerta: aS Rear as poagtl by_the amount of we 16 of the charter, cnap provides that toe “annual s. herein named shail be be in fall for ali servier: county im at President of the ep. Commissioners of Parks, otner than the President, noth- at.” drew his salar; December, 174, in violation of the provi n- | above referred to. Ata meeung of the Commissioners, mper 3, 1473, the following is chtered upon the from the ifeasurer stating jaws. capacity Ww tment ot terially lessen the duties ment alter the ist da’ claim atter that date to a salary a: exiatiny meeting, above reterred fo, December 34, 1574, to make up the vudget tor. 10% similar restrictior ued down io Marc dd the construction fund was exhausted, the salaries of the officers a divided aime iy being admitted that chs 4 tbat neiher the duties nor the pay of these oillcers can be apportioned with pi and construction, and that these matters are regulated sig Coustruction and mainien nit ¢ h Was Co! th s resident, ele: ision between arged iy against bot jsion 8 an arbitrary one, neurred in by bouh in this meeting ned ¢ Departinent 25, 1978, when it rk and otler tuna, maintenance Pe K In progress at the ame, —Commineation r 3 5, aries to be Ws, and suc by them tever.”) * rks, toil i reasnre WY per the Antexatiot the Treasurer Laws of 1873, aut to persons salaries stall to the city or =e so the $6,500; to the , | on the 20th of August, 1873, D. B. Williamson, one of the Commisstoners, was electod and on Uctover 29, 1873, at a meeting Fesolution wes offeroa aud adopted that the “treasurer's sulary be fixed at the sam of to be paid to said Jreasurer trom the date ot nis appoint ‘of the Board, the board, a juin, the same ihe Treasurer, in_ accordance with this resolution, jor Seprember, Vctover, Novemoer and ons of the law nm act will t this dep, ot January, ist, he watves ail uch :reasurer under r. Bissinger moved that said communication be ac- question open r cal this boreal rk. cd a di The | of no legal torce or va rection 29, chi entered upon ihe minutes meeting held May 2», 18/4, the President move that the satary ot the sreastirer be Nxea a $3,000 per anni, to commence from and a! 1874, which resolition Was declared in the aurmauve by the vote of three of the urer, as one of the three. votlug lor ine resolution. pay rolls tur June and July haa the sreasurer's name and amoupt of money inserted: but it wa: erased, and Ho payment was made. ‘On the .9ch of Jilly, i876, the Treasurer, in a long com- Munication to the Hoard, And spread upon the minutes, waived hisciaim for salary, admitting that it was a objection as to his right to take it, ‘The department has a vurean presided over by ai Mt acsing clerk, aud two messengers in his departme ries coat $10! rintends the making ap of all payrolls mace up | from time boos, present cinding vitleers, clerks aj orers of police, and correctness of the rolls. rH who al 0 per annum. ali employes ites to the Com ‘There is, appare ‘on vouc eats of Warr drawn on the Comptrolier and counters disbursing clerk of the daniy by the for rs to be flied in said a Adopted. the sui of 1, Commissioners, the ireas- ihe apparently Iso has the whose Thm officer men, in 8, whehet la nissioners the tly, no check under the xysiem now adopted, to pre- vent any overstating of time by the several foremen of laborers on the payrolls, as rendered by the disbursing ihe disbursing clert informs me that he has given bonds tor the faithfal pertormance of his duty to the Commissioners, but ho stich bond ts on file in | parcment tht I can learn opon inquiry at the central €OSSTRECTION ACCOUNT, May, 1875. | office: but t nnd a bond was given to the first Board of seesees Comme ssioners of the Departinent of Parks on Februar: | 1. ds7l, whieh is Dow fied with the Comptroller, and is ity, 5, Laws of 1373, provides that “All payments by or on behalt ot che Corporation shall é throweh the proper disbursing ofl | ment of Fin | partment by ain by 204 oy | Mayor. the de- ir of the Ws the Chamber- ned by ihe partment of Contracts Gasettied and on Which piymenis Parks recerves the money for the police and labor pa’ are to be made— | rolls in bulk from the Finance Departyyent, and din- Wilson & ringhes stone Company........... 6,252 79 | burses tt to the several employes ot the department, und True W. Kolans 418) W | Wenot in any inanicr an employe of the Wepartment of ‘Troe W. Rollins. 1615) 0) | Finance. its disvursements the past yoar excerded Moran & Armstrong ST OD SUDO Joba Hozan. 7.09 | — In compliance with section 196 of the charter ot 1873 1 J. Yoorht “0 have made an examination inte the duties of the several enilinger. 2.456 09 | employes of the department, ana would respeettully sug imas Parey 425 OY | gest thar the clertecal force of the department could be or & berkitia 6/812 | materially reduced without in any way impairing the Janes & Kirviand 215) | efficiency of the dopartinent. Respectinily subinitted, —— LINDSAY 4, HOW, Commissioner of Accognts, ‘ii $1,521.05 9 sense cnsnes tan Ce HIS cy . . Weparunent will have to expend of COMPTROLLER GREEN'S AXE AT ¢ Contract#—department proportion .. 2,00) 0) WORK. Moran & Ariustroig. . Zo 0 | ceca — eran | ae we 0.475 © | Ten clerks of the Bureau for the Collection of Grand total seve Batimaied amount of € vee OE 90 Thirt—Chapter 3%, Laws of 1804, annexed Manhattan square to the Central rark and made tt the duty of the Commbetoners of the Oentrat Par< to lay out, grade, SArain and improve said square and couneot it Central Park, By chapter 29), Laws of (71, the ssioners of the Department ot I ied to erect two buildings on ks were author. in square, to be | are:—Thowas 4, . Hart, | John Braling, Francis Lyncn, Thomas ©. Luby, Joseph B. Marriott and M. B. Mason, stood that duiness in the business of the depart~ removal of these clerks. ous hae ceused © Taxes were yesterday removed. Redden, Janes Langdon, Den- A. B. M.S Caldwell, Their names Nilieston, It 1s under- Some assort, however, that political const. tlous are at the bort mof ine trounle. The ga rics Of the decapitated ranged from $1,000 \@ $1,600 per yoar. BOARD OF APPORTIONMENT. THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE APPROPRIATION—UN- EXPENDED BALANCES OF THE DEPARTMENTS— CLAIMS AGAINST THE OLD PARK COMMISSION. ‘Tne Board of Apportionment met at the Mayor's office yesterday, Comptroller Green, Mayor Wick: ham, Alderman Lewis and Tax-Commissioner Wheeler being present. A communication was received trom the Brooklyn Bridge Commussion- ers asking for the appropriation ot $1,000,000 from New York, in accordance with the law, which was laid over. Comptroller Green offered @ resolution asking that he be empowered to notify the heads of de partments and all omcers of institutions entitled lo moneys from the city to sena in their estt mates for 1876 by the 1st of September next. The resolution was adopted, Power was given the Comptroller to tssu¢ bonds to the amount of $6,000 to pay some small Judgments lately given against the city. Aresoluuon, offered by Vomptrolier Green, ta transier $50,000 1rom the unexpended balances of the Board of Education for 1874 to the general fund, was adopted. The Comptroller called attention to the law which pronibits departments from expending any more moneys than are appropriated to them by the Board of Estimate and Apportionment, In connection with this subject he produced a lengthy document, citing some 115 claims against the Park Department which had been certified te by Mr. Salem H. Wales, President of the Commis. sion in 1878, He also calied atrention to a letter from Mr. Wales sent at that time, asking for a irunsler of moneys lo the department, Some four or five of these Claims hud ulreaay passed into sults. Not a dollar was im the treasury to meet sucn demands, Charges had been made against him (the Comptiolier) of creating Judgments aguinst the city, be could do notaing witn these claims Uniess the Board 1ma@e some appropriation jor them, ‘They shouid not bave been contracted in excess of the appropriation. MAYOR WICKHAM SUGGESTED that the matier be relerred so the Park Commis sloners for an explanation, Alderman Lewis re- marked he Was avont to make a similar motion, Comptrolier Green—I tnink all explanation be given by the gentleman who was the J’resident ol the Park Commission. Mayor Wickbam—Lhe other Commissioners Eid probably wish to take pars of the responsi: ity. Comptroller Green—Don’t you want any expla nation from Wales? ‘The matier then took the course suggested by the Mayor. 0. ‘The matter of fixing the salaries of Commission. ers of the Third Judicial District Court House waa then taken up. Cousiderabie debate ensued as ta oe eXact powers ol the Board in the premises, 4 ‘esolution Was linaliy passed giving the Presicent o1 the Comunssion $2,600 and his colleagues $2,000 each per annum, A communication was received from the Board of Police asking tor an appropriation of $10,000 to defray tue expenses of two scows to be placed in the harbor jor reception of asbes and other reiuse Jrom passing steamboats, In accorda@uce with tae act passed by the last Legislature, Laid over. COMPTROLLER GREEN CALLED UP the resolution transierring an unexpended bal ance of 1874, of $150,000, irom the Police Depert. mentto the geueral fund, Police Commissioner Voorhis Was present and stated that Junds were requisite to taolish two additional station houses, Aiter some discussion the amount to be transferred was sev duwo at $100,000 instead of $150,000. ‘The following (as appears in a statement subd- mitied to the Board) 13 a list of the unexpendea balances for 1874, in the different city depart ments, in tne hands of the Comptroller: — Public Works, April 3. Cominon council, April Health Department, April 23... Charities and Correction, April 17. Yoard of tducaton, April 4... Taxes and assessments. April 24, Police Department, April 2. Fire Department, May 3... WILLIAM. M. TWEED. HQW HE LOOKS—PERCEPTIBLE CHANGES IN His FIGURE—SCENES IN THE JAIL. To those famitar with the celebrated “Boss” in the palmy aays of his power the present sickly and emaciated condition of Tweed presents » strong and most pitiful contrast, Whata strange picture tne criminal in Ludlow Street Jal presented yesterday to tne picture of the Amert- cus King at Greenwich! A dvor, carelessly left open, gave the writer, while wandering yester- @ay along the ballin the jail, @ passing glance at the dethroned politician, The apartments ree served jor nim were jarge, commodious and very comfortable, put stil!, at tne same time, not luxurious. They have preity much the same con- trast to his rooms at home as his cell at Black- wells Island bears to his present abid- ing place. When the writer observed him he was reciining upon a lounge, lying there, apparentiy, not tnrough any disposition to be “lazy” or indifferent, but because he needed rest and because his frame was too weak to per- mit him to occupy a chair, His confinement at tue Island has very greatly reduced him im flesh and has wrought marked changes in his features; indeed, should he be released to-day, it is sufe t say that he could pass at least one-third of those who knew him of old without recognition. He is pale and thin and haggard, His imprison ment has reauced him eighty-tive pounds is weight. Therich color that used to suffuse hit cheeks has entirely disappeared and leit in its piace a whiteness like that of alabaster. Whe he stretched out bis hand a nervous tremor was very noticeabie, and when he left tae lounge te waik to any other part ot the room his step was wavering, shaky andy un- steady. He is at present suifering from an attack of diabetes, The disease wita him {x nos ephemeral, but chronic. He has been avictim to it jor many months, and hence the Toaiady ts making fearfal inroads upon his system, By reason of this affliction tis physician, whe calls upon him taree times regularly every da; has given the most imperative orders that no om Shall be permitred t) see tim. This strict decree, in the handwriting Of nis paysician, excludes pot only bis warmest political friends, but also his nearest aud dearest reiatives, The Wardea or Ludiow Street Jail lutormed the HewaLp reporter Faeries é that of the hundreds of politicians woo ad within the last forty-eigat hours sought al imterview with the “ex-Boss” not one of them had secured it, ‘ihe puysician, the lawyer and hm son, Kichard Tweed, are the only per- sons that have been permitted to enter his apartments. Mr. Tweed has written upon tho same delicate and monogram note paper so jamiliar to those Knowing Dim im jormer Gays a@ letter as follows:— Mr. Wanpex—You will please state to all visitors wi desire to see me that, by advice of my physician. ant owing to my own bodily weakness, I am prevented from graucing Uiem an audience. Mr, Tweed lives upon tne simplest possibie fare, Mr. Tweea's counsei stated again yesierday that tney are fully confident that the vail of herent in defanit of which Iweea is at present held, be ereatly reduced, and that before the end of the week the “Boss” will be at large again, MUSIC IN THE PARK. New Yorx, June 23, 1875, To Tag Epiror orf THE HERALD :— Will you please inform me, through the medium of your paper, when music in Central Park will be resumed? Brooklynites have had music in Pros: pect Park for some time, and why should we be deprived of it? Respectfully, A CONSTANT READER, MUSIC AT PROSPECT PARK. The fifth concért for 1875 will take place te morrow, from four to six P. M., by the Twenty- third Regiment Band; £. Conterno, leader. 7 1 “Der Tannhauser’’.. ‘Le Chant du Retour Fille du Kegiment” 1. Fest Marc 2 Romance, & Overture, 4 Waliz, “New V 6. Selection, “Fi Sess osey 6. Mareh, ‘scotch Melodies”. .Arr. 7 a % PART th. . Overture, “Profletheus”........ Song, | FFultings Brwachen.. ‘au ala, Solo tor Zylophon Here William 10. Seena ed Aria, “Ate eee 1s. Waltz, “elizen Tange”... 12. Galop, “Saison de Wiihel National airs. Extra open cars will be run on Flatbush avenne Ine from tne City Hall to the Park every Saturday and Sunday afternoon during tae summer season, NOT A DISORDERLY PLACE, To Tus Eprror or THe Henaty:— In your report of the proveedings before the Legisiative Committee on Increase of Crime my house No, 57 Amity strect, is referred to asa disorderly place, Were music aud dancing dis 1uros the neignvornood and where disreputan! persons are harbored, This | wholly deny, and ask for the fuilest tuvestigation on (he suoject, Captain &, UNGER, New Youk, June 27, 1875, ‘