The New York Herald Newspaper, November 24, 1876, Page 8

8 PARK COMMISSIONERS IMPEACHED. Charges Preferred 10 the Mayor Against William R. Martin and Joseph J. O'Donohue. TO-DAY’S HEARING. The Commissioners and Petitioners Noti- fied—Copies of the Charges. THE PRESENT DEADLOCK. Statement by President Martin Relative to Past Expenditures. Charges yesterday preferred against Park Com- missioners Joseph J. O'Donohue and William R. Mar- tin by a commitice of ciiizens, who waited upon Mayor Wickham at bis office. This committee was beaded by Colonel Rush C, Hawkins. They arrived at the City Ball shortly after cleven o'clock, just asthe Board of Apportionment had organized. Among the delegation who presented the charges were Messrs. Dorman B, Eaton, Jackson S. Schultz and others. On entering the Executive Chamber Colonel Hawkins said:—Mr, Mayor, we appear here on behalf of a large number of influential citizens, who, believing with a large portion of the community, | that the Central Park bas not been managed as it ought to have been managed tor tne last few years, have preferred charges against two of the I’ark Com- missioners, and haye delegated us to appear before you and present them. Mayor WickaM—This is a meeting of the Board of Apportionment, and when tho business before us is | concluded if you desire to address mo as Mayor I shall be happy to hear you. Our proceedings cannot be dis- furbed, but when we adjourn I shall receive you. Colonel Hawkixs—I will state we do not wish to make any argument at all. Our charges are in writ- Ing, and we desire simply toband them to Your ‘Bonor. Mayor Wicknam—If you wish only to hand in a written charge you can do 60. Colonel Hawkins. at isall we want, sir. Mayor Wicknam—Ot course, gentlemen, there is Hotbing in the charges you do not come prepared to Bubstantiate? Colonel HawKins—Wo certainly expect to, Mayor Wickuam—Well, gentlemen, I can only say that 1 shall read these charges carefully and give them all the consideration and attention to which they e entitied. I will senda copy of them tothe Park Department, to the gentlemen who are charged with a neglect of duty, and I will give you an opportunity to be beard in their presence at the earliest possible moment, 1 will expect, of course, that you will sub- Btantiate them. The delegation then withdrew, THE CHAROXS. The following is a copy of the charges :— To tho Hon, Winiam H. Wickuam, Mayor of the eity of New York:— Sin—The undersigned, your petitioners, citizens of Me State of New York and residents and taxpayers in tue city of New York, respectiully show :— First-.William R. Martin and Joseph J. O’Donobue fre now, and were at the tine hereiatter menti ned, members of the Board of Commissioners of the Department of Public Parks in said city. That at tho times horeivafter mentioned they, 10 their official Capacity as said Commissioners, caused to bo dis- charged certain clerks and others who were in charge of bureaus in said departinents, and that the names Qp+1 occuputions of the persons are as follows, viz. :— Janvary 31, 1876. 1. George H. Harrison, clerk in the office of the dis- Dursing clerk for ubout four years. 2 William E. Beames, property clerk for about . Barlow, clerk in the office of the Civil and nical Engineer for three-years. 4. Isaac Evans, assistant secretary for about five eure. 4. Henry Koster, captain of the Central Park Police for about twelve years. 6. T. F, Beion, cierk in the office of the disbursing Pflicer for about eight years, Chat all of said persons were, as your petitioners have good reasons to beheve, discharged trom their employment without cause; and previous to their re- eerving notice from the ary of the said depart- ment inlorming them that they were discharged they were not informed of any cause for said discharge, nor were they allowed an opportunity for expiunation; sud that up to this time no cause has been assigned or presented to them jor their removal, and that the Pecords of said department show that no ontry of the trne grounds of said removals were forthwith or at pny timo entered upon them. That all of the said re- movals were in direct violation of eection 28 of chap- ter 385 of the Laws of 1873. Second—The ninutes of the meetings of said Board pt Commissioners show that December 3, 1875, a reso- lution was voted for by said Commissioners Martin nd O?Donobue, of which the foliowing is a true copy, Win: Board, viz. :— Wrpxespay, May rintendent of Parks, stating umber of Iabor " . 1, 1876, From the Sup that he re- quires the folio bo curry on the w Masons, 4 stonecntters, 3 carpenters, 2 painte and 2 donbie teams. Commissioner Stebbins offered tho following resolution, which was! the tnble :— Resolved, That when the laborers, mechanics, &c.. re- qnired by ‘the Superintendent, us mentiones in ‘his com Munication, are ewpioyed, their pay be fixed at the rate aid by the Depart vent of Public Works for similar deserip= Bivn of work, and that it be relerred to the Prosident to as- certain and report suid rates of pay ‘Comin issionor 1° Ds e moved that the numberof 60 laborers 3 2 3 a f wages, unless on rece pt ply of tlie C reanced. s Corumissi That for along time previous to the passage of the Arst of said resvtutions, at the time of 118 passage and wer since, the pay f day's labor of elzht hours in the Department of Publis Works has been $1 60; that lor the same period the pay of a common laborer jor a flay’s work of ten hours bas been trom $i to $1 40, These last mentioned are’ the prices paid by private @votractors. That at this time waa tor a jong ime revious the suid Department ot Public Park: In its employ a large number of comme and upward—and thet there pas been hem $2 per day ‘or aday of etgiit bours’ labor, and that during the whole 0: said time said Martin and D'Pouohne kuew that they were being paid a large Amount above the market value jor their said labor, That by reason 0: ‘be official action and misconauet vf said Commissioners Martin and O'Donohue tp retus- Ing to reduce or to co-operate in redocing the pay of lavor as was within their power and duty os members of said Board to have done, the city of New York has been detrauded out of a largeamount of money, which, M they had performed their official duties—impored upon them as public officers—honestly and in good faith, would have been saved. And your petitioners charge that such neglect of duty im omitting to obtain labor at reasonable market Or lair rates, as was easy to have done, and in legally arging clerks and employés, 18 a’ part of an arbi- brary and reckless and extravagaot course of official Bonduct on the part of said Martin and O' Donohue. For the reasuns above set forth your petitioners fespectiuily pray that said William R. Martin and Joseph J. O'Donobue be removed from the Board of Novers of Public Parks, G Hawkins, Jackson 8. Schultz, H. Keunedy, D. B. Eaton, Williain H. Webb, Jonn H. Sherwood, Charles 8. Smith, Charles H.'Isham, J. V. Brokaw, Joseph H. Brown, Purke Godwin, Richard Butler, Henry M. Tabor, John C. Eno, Stewart Brown, Russell Bago, Jumes Buell, Jonathan Thorne, William H. Lee, J. B. Dutener, P. B. Van Vaikenburgh, G. Wetherbee, Joseph S. Lowery, George C. Richardson & Co., Lewis Bros. & Co, H. B. Claflin & Co., W. 8 Strong & Co., ‘Whittemore, Peet, Post & Co. ; George L. Dale & Co., Frederick Jacobson and others. NOTIFYING THE COMMIBSIONENS. Tho following communication was sent to Menara jartin and O'Donobue durwg the afternoon by the jayor:— sj Exxcotive Dxrantaxyt, Ciry Haut, ‘New Your, Nov. 23. 1876." S1n—A commanication has this day been made to me pre- ferring charges against you and another, of which com- is berewith serve forded you to be make to the charges. ed to attend at that time at this rsons who have made the charges, and all of whom have teen invited to be here at Shes tise with such evidences ae they may binve to subetene jate the charges. ery reapectiuily, WILLIAM I. WICKHAM, Mayor. NOTIFYING THE BIGNERS, Mayor Wickham addressed the following to each of Who gentlemen who signed the charges :— basi of cit oald Up orvet od ii Mind that she catllost procticable moment would he indicated whem beth those those against whom the charges are made would be re+ nd here, to be heard in t} posed t x gations of fact in them made. You are, G Spectfully invited and urged to be here at eleven o'clock A. + on the 24th iust.,to hear such reply to the charges as may be made by the two Commlssionors, then to atiord the benefit of such evidence and which may be nseful for my Vory respect tally, WICKHAM, Mayor, THE PARK COMMISSIONERS TO REPLY TO THE CHARGES. The Park Commissioners will present their defence to Mayor Wickham this morning and answer the charges preferred against them before the Board of Ap- portionment by the Rush C. Hawkins committee, To the first charge, that Mr. Martin dismissed old em- ployés of the department without cause or notifica- tion, the answer is that the appropriations were so much reduced by the Board of Apportion” ment that the force haa to be reduced it was to keep expenses within the appropriations. absolutely necessary to discharge somebody. The law requiring notice and astatement of the cause of dis- missal only applied to the chiet of bureaus. All the men dischargod occupied subordinate positions, The Commissioners think the movement on the part of the committee yesterday was instigated by Mr. Green, ip order to prevent the appropriation or rather tran: fer of moneys for the use of the department. 1. men who were discharged, it appears, were Green's friends, and mea whom he bad placed in the depart- ment COMMISSIONER DONONUE'S DEFENCE, In regard to the charge tht the department has in- sisted ov paying above the market rate of wages Mr. | Donohue says if any movement is to be made to re- duce the wages or the expenses of the department he believes in the pruning knife being first ap- plied at the top. He had long go offered a resolution reducing the salary of the President j of the Board, Mr. Stebbins, Mr. Green’s reprosenta- tive in the Board, however. voted against it, On March 23 Mr. Donohue wrote a letter to the Con.ptroller, re- | questing his advice and opinion as to the desirability of | revucing the laborers’ wages to $1 60 per day. Mr. Steobins and Mr, Wetmore voted against the communi- cation being forwarded, The letter was sent, however, ymptrolier, and he refused to anewer“it. nissioner Donohue says be considers $2 per day little enongh to pay the men, For several months in | the year they are out of employment, and the averay } ameunt earned per week 18 very small, He thin the men should work ten hours per day | although the State law recognizes eight hours as a le; day’s work. As long as this law 18 upon the statute book. however, he believes itis the duty of the Park Commissioners to obey 18. ‘The charges are not regarded in a serious light by { the Commissioners, howevor. No Cominissioner can be removed by a vote of the Board without three of the four Commissioners vote. As charges against two Commissioners have been made no action by the Park Board is likely to be taken. THE PARK DEADLOCK. EXPLANATORY STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT MAR- TIN—MONEY GRANTED FOR CURRENT EX- PENSES. A special meeting of the Board of Apportionment was held in the Mayor's office yesterday. ‘The principal olject of the meeting wasto consider the proposed transfer of $15,000 to the maintenance fund of the Park Department Mayor Wickham, Comptroller Green, Alderman Lewis and Tax Commissioner Wheeler were present. Alderman Lewis requested that $2,000 should be given from exciso moneys totho Linda Gilbert Prison Library Association. The matter was laid over for further consideration, On motion of Comptroller Green the following dona- tions were awarded to institutlous from the excise fund Female Christian Home. Young Women’s Atd Association. Wilson Industrial School r Association for the Renefit of Colored Or- Asylum St Luke's Home for Indi; i . Dispensary... The Midnight Mission. . Tho Swiss Benevolent Society tees ee 460 00 The Twenty-third \yard Relief Associition., 500 00 West Farms Ladies’ Benevolent Aid Employ- ment Society. .... ‘es 135 00 The Prison Association The New York Medical Coll tor Women. ‘aud Hospital Total The subject of transferring moneys tothe mainte- nance fund of the Park Department was next brought up, when the jollowing communication was read from Mr. Martin:— DkPARTKRENT OF PuBLiC PARKS, New York, Nov. 23, 1876 To THe Boarp or EstiMaTR AND APPORTIONMENT: Tue application of this department for the trausfer of 1t8 appropriations was formally made on the 28th September, 1876. It was then rolerred to the Comp- troiler. The reasons and grounas ot the applicauon ‘wero twice orally explained to the Board, and once, on the 23d October, iu writing, Everything stuted by the Comptroller in bis report made on the 2ist, was as well known to him then agit is now; but the delay until the season for fall work bas nearly passed to that extent d the purposes of the transler. Ho has presented three points aj that to ask more for pose to spend'ss sugg ent with sound puvlic policy; that the tact that we have not used it shows that we do not want it, or that we neglect our duty ia not using it. Second, that we have not met the conditions imposed by the law; that the appropriations trom which wo ask the transfor sl e excessive; and, third, that there shail be justifiable deficiency in the appropriation to supple- ‘ment which we ask the transfer. Aud on these bo bases go pretation aad bad management. In th respects the Comptroiler is neither correct in his facts vor sound m bis conciusions, Their subdivision of the total ap- propriation was arbitrary. It was not based on any view of the requirements of the departinent. Our savings on the items where a surplus exists have been economical and wise, and the purposes to which we desire to transier them are the purposes where the money ought to go. It 18 our province to exhibit to tho Board of Estimate and Apportionment a detailed written estimate of the expenditures required in this department for tue year for whieh the appropriation 18 to be made. On this the Board ot Estimate aud Apportionment makea pro- visioual estimate, which, aver review by the Board of Aldermen, returns to the Board of Kstiinate and Ap- portioument, who make a tinal estimate, and the sum $o provided for is raised by taxation, (Charter 1873, ec. 112 “Tn the departmental estimates we digplay the whole scope of the work which it may be advantageous to the public to have done durtug the year, in detail, itetn by item. We do not determine whether the whole or ‘a part of it shall be done, nor whether the work on any one item shall be carried to the extent we propose, charges of loose int ment We present the general plan of our work; they get the limitation on it, As an illustration:—For the Coty Hail park pavement, in 1875, we estimated the cost of repaying the whole at $30,000. They deter- mined that this work should be done in 1876, but thas fo large 1 should not be spent on it. They appro- priated $10,090, To this extent the work is tnished, and the residue becomes the subject of appropriations for succeeding years In the fail of 1875, we sent the following cstimate to the Board ot Estimate and Apportionment. At that time Mr, Stebbins President of the department. The last column of figures shows the amount of the appropriation :— Our Estimate Appropriation poses. “for 1876. for 187 Maintenance Central Park and other city parks and ot Museum, Poiice, Salar! . Harlem Music—Central Park Music—City parks. ve Mautevance Twenty-third and Twenty-iourta wards. . 79, Rebuilding Bronx bridges...... 29, Surveying, &a, Twenty-thira and Twenty-fourth wards... City Hall Park pavement. . Battery sea wall Independence day. Our estimate was 654,000 detaiis of which each item was mai stance, tor the two Hariem River bridges we esti- mat 1. Thied avenue bridge--Renewal of forty-eight wheels in draw, trames and plates, and he Ing draw. Relaying floors. Total... . 2 MeComb’s dam or the two shore spans. 3, Maimtenauce of both the above bridg Total, » in the aod Twenty-fourth wards we Maintenmce of rounds, &c., including the pur. chase 0: earth. For bridge: ts, For stone and gravel for the roads. For watering roads......... Bronx River bridy luing four of the | That duty is for the Board of Estimate and Apportion- | and were not based on any such subdivision in detail. ly When your Board made their final revision, the reduction of the total appropriation to less than $500,000 was the primary point, and the subdivision the secondary part in their consideration. Your ———- show that this must bi ‘here should then have beep a redistribu total sum and not @ proportional reduction on each tem. We proposed a new di on of the $495,000, which your Board disregat instead madea general proportionate reduction on all the items, Our Tedistribution was passed on a sbarper consideration of the best way of dividing the gross sum so as to keep up the full amount for the important purposes of our work and to reduce those which could be postponed or were unimportant, The features of the new distribu- tion that we proposed were these:—In salaries we ac- cepted the reduction to $55,000 in 1876, jolice we Lite to give up the increase we @ had ifthe jarger total sum had been ap- Propriated, and out of a total of $499,000 we proposed to keep it at $90,000. These two items are the waste 10 carrying the money to its proper and primary ob- Ject—the preservation of the parks and grounds under ‘our care, In toe Harlem River bridges, it was our plan to re- Duild .he worn out shore spans of the Central Bridge, the draw of which had been rebuilt in the previou: ear. To rebuild these spans would cost $23,000. ‘ben the appropriation was cut down from $59,300 to $40,000 our intention to reconstruct these spans was necessarily abandoned, because the other pur- ses for which we required money to expend on these ridges were more imperative, and there was not moncy euough for these purposes and for the new shore apaus also, We proposed to leave out the three spans, $23 000, and the torty-eight new wheels, $10,000, and to reduce 1 to $26,500, The Bronx River Bridges.—These seven bridges were old and al! needed extensive repairs, and three of them to be rebuilt. We desired to rebuild them of iron, and asked for $29,000, which was an adequi sum, The rebuilding of these bridges could be pos! poned another year, and we proposed to reduce the appropriation to $1,000 for repairs. We accepted the figures also for the other items, which were reduced—tbe music, Independence Day, the City Hall front and the surveying of the Twenty- third and Twenty-lourth wards, i We thus, op the bi of a total appropriation of $495,000, revised all our estimates on the principle of postponing and saviug where we could, go as not to diminish thé ampunt which we asked tor the Central and other parks and the roads in the Twenty-third and Twenty-fourth wards. The plan of division which we proposed was to reduce— Salaries to. Police Harlem River bridges. Bronx River bridges. Masic,. Independence Day. City Hall Park... Surveying, &c. Total.....sseeccerecrscceccerevececeses: oe + $220,000 And to increase— Park maintenance, including $30,000 for the st two museums. Maintenance of ‘Twenty-fourth wards. _ Our division exntbe cont by your Board, and we suvmit that in e was a better division, and indicated v judicious ana wise management, and that it would havo kept a larger sum fortbe primary and proper work of the depart- ment. vi. As the fall season approached the necessity for money on the parks became apparent, In the years from 1873 to 1879 the sum expended on the maintenance of tho city parks a month, as follows:— yean sevens SL8,864 26,572 In 1875... 250,483 20,874 The $157,500 given by your Bourd for 1876 averaged $13,125 a ‘month. During the four winter months, under Mr. Stebbirs’ administration, from 1st January to Ist May, $63,500 had been expended, leaving for the eight summer and tall moaths only $94,000, an aver: of $11,700 a month. When I assumed the administri tion, in the early part ot May, 1 found this condition of things:—First, that the parks could not be kept up on $11,700 a month as well as they had been on $24,000 a month; and second, that the divisions of the total appropriadion your Board bad been arbitrary and inconsiderate, aud should be remedied. ‘The saving on the police was of obvious propriety. By increased vigilance and discipline we produced a better service from a smailer number of men than had been done before, and the saving was aclear gain, because the money thus expended leaves po perm: ment results such as follow expenditure upou the improvement of the parks. On the Harlem River bridges we necessarily post- poned the reconstruction of the spans of tho Central bridge. The iron wheels and otber apparatus for the draw on Harlem Bridge it was found, ou exam- ination, could be aately postponed tor another year, in view of the greater importance of imcreasing the money applicabic to the mamtenance of the parks. In respect to the Bronx River bridges, we failed to | get the concurrence of the authorities of Westchester county, and therefore could not rebuild any of them. ‘These were wil proper and judicious subjects of ccon- omy. On the other band we found that the Central Park and the maintenance of the Twenty-third and Twenty-fourth wards were itcins of imperative ne- cessity. t Theze were 135 miles of roads in the Twenty-third ana Twenty-fourth wards in bad repair, They needed constant repair and gradual reconstruction with stone, ‘The season this fall was favorable to the work, and it wus very necessary to use a great quantity of stone to save the roads from damage through the coming winter. In tho Central Park the grass bad been greatly in- jured by the excessive heat ol the summer oi! i876, The roads and paths needed gravel and thorough repair betore the winter set in. They bad been neglected in previous years, and were getting to 'bat stage when further neglect might lead tv the necessity ot expen- sive reconstruction. The trees all needed close exum- ination and a great deal of work. The money we had was tosufficient to keep the parks in their ordinary condition. We wanted to do more. Tn September I presented this subject to your Board, with au oral argument stating the poiuts of this letter, At that time we sere planning our fall work, which conid be done only at that season, We had by close and watchiul economy gone at a Tate which Would save ou these items of appropriation as loliows:— + $20,000 18,000 Bronx River bridge... 14,000 Independence Day. i 826 and had a balance unexpended from— 1874. sree $3,018 74 1875... - » 6,427 59 Wo wanted this transterred so as toadd to the ap- ae for the maintenance cf roads in the wenty-third and Twenty-fourth wards $10,000 and the residue on the Ceutrat and city parks. This would have put the roads in the Twenty-third and Twenty. jourtn wards 1n first rate order for the winter, and every dollar of the residue could have been spent on Central Park, and im that case the total expendituee on the parks for the year would nave bee cent tess than the sum expended in the ye: Vil. In this letter the following points have been sus- tained :— 1. Of the total of $495,000, our subdivision was more judicious, in view of the proper object of the expendi- vure, thap the one fixed for us and by which we have becn hampered, % There is nothing indicative of bad faith nor in- consistent with the public good, On the contrary, our plan was the best. 3 Oursaving on the items when we have accumu- lated surplusges has been proper, and 4. The work on the Central Park and on the roads iu the Twenty-third and Twenty-fourth wards 1s the proper object in which these savings ought to be ox- pended. vit The records of the Board of Estimate and Appor- tionment show constantly and repeatedly that it 18 within the’ law and their uniform practice to make just xoch transters as these. This power was ex- pressly given to provide for cases like the present, in which the experience of a department ax the year progresses becomes a better test of what is the wisest expenditore than the examinations of another board belore the year commences. IX. Ton thousand dollars can stil be expended to great advantage in the Twenty-third and Twenty-fourth wards, A great deal of wrk cau still be done beiore the cold weather stops it, and gravel and broken stone can be obtained at greatly reduced prices and kept in iness for the noxt year’s work. This stone and vel cannot be obtained early 10 the spring, when it most wanted, In the Cen:ral Park $30,000 could be used upon the roads and paths, and amoung the trees and in the accu- lg of road material, at low prices for the spring wor! For the eight months from May to December we have had $94,000 to spend upon the parks, The pro- portion of the expenditure in the same eight months was in the preceding years as follows :— 18% ith parks in order. The whole of for the needs of the parks this year. Every doliar of it could be expended to great advantage at this season of the year to the good of the parks, and the neglect to expend it will greatly increase tho expenditure for the work which will become necessary tor them next spring. Respectfully, W. R. MARTIN, oe President Department of Parks. Mayor Wickbam next moved the adoption of the following resolutions :— Jc vernment of propriation ym for repairs of roads, uvenuos, streets and public places in the Twenty-third «nd Twenty-fourth wards, for the rewain- der of the provent year, and uot’ for the pay- ‘of any officers and employes other id departments, This tra and objects thereof, to the app! and govern: of parks fas | gravel on those roads before th NEW YORK HERALD, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1876—TRIPLE SHEET. ind not for the payment of other than laborers of being mado to prese for the public convenience. When Mayor Wickham put the question on the adoption of the resolution Comptroller Green said: ‘These resolutions | shall vote for asa mere matter of Provision for protecting the public property. In the cation read there aro great statements of saving and economy and all that sort of thing, but! have yet to see the exbibition of it on the parks. I vote for this resolution with great reluctunce, and for no other reason than that I desire the pubiie property protected, These voluble statements about savings and economy and all tbat sort of thing are very plaus- ible. It calis to my mind a few lines of an old poem, very appropriate to this occasion :— It is not a8 plain as the old Hill of Howth A man hus got nis belly fuil of me: Because he talks wish victuals mouth. There isa groatdeal of lip talk about savings, but the results do not appear. Mr. Martin said ue wished to’ make one sugges- tion with reference to the amount of the pro- posed trensfer for maintenance, and it was that it was pot enough. They wanted gravel for the Touds, and it was nocessary to put it down within the next two weeks. They had a great deal of work to do on the trees and plants, and $10,000 would not be enough for the purpose. Some $30,000 could be prop- erly expended irom this time to the end of the year. Last year, under Mr, Stebbins, the department ex- pended at the rate of $21,000 a month; the department .. was now running on $11,000a month. It was wholly impossible to keep the parks ic order on that amount, Av appropriation of $10,000 now would not do any good; it interfered with the proper management of the department. If the Board of Apportionment would give the $30,000 they would endeavor to get the grass in in season for next year. 1t was almost burnt up by tho heat of last August. They cannot do the work re- quired on $10,000. He wanted at least $20,000 to pat nd of this year. He had carried the parks through under b ministra- tou for $38,000 since May, and he claims the credit of carrying it through, and Would maintain it anywhere and overywhere. At the conclusion of Mr. Martin’s remarks Comp- troller Green said:—I have bad some little experience on the parks, and I certainly don’t plume myself very much when I say I have hud a8 much experience a8 anybody, not excepting the present management. As to the grass, it is unnecessary to take apy special oat of it whatever. As to the trees, they hav row. ing from fifteen to eighteen years Iam as familiar with almost every one of themas I am with the ob- jects in my own household, I supervised their plant- jng. The necessity of appropriations for these pur- poses 1s, in my judgment, entirely unnecessary, Your resolution appropriates $10,000 for taking care of and maittaining the parks through the present year. | These statements that are made to us bere 80 volubly, go fluently, about the savings and economy of “my administration’ seem tome to be wholly unreliable, Ido not give the least credence to them. Here isa man (referring to Mr. Manning, late general foreman of the Park Department, who was pi nt) who ‘s more familiar with the parks than all the Park board put together. His statement as to what is necessary to maintain the parks would be of moro value than all the statements that can be got from the Park Department. I do not mean to say that the state- ment we bave heard came from that department It may have come from that board, but I have no knowl- edgo that it has ever been before the board. I have been informed that members of the board have had to come out and disclaim any responsibility for com- muvications which have been secretly issued without their auther'ty, I donot know wh the othi members of the Park Department '@ approved ot this thing, or that they know anything about it The: may; but { have no information as to the fact. Col- onei Stebbins, who has been connected with the ad- ministration of the parks for nearly fiiteen years, was here at the last meeting, and said that with $10, or $12,000 they couid get through the year very readily. I should take bis Judgment in the matter. It was duty of the Park Department when the appropriatiot for 1876 was made to see that tho money was ex- nded so as to last throughout the year. know that materials and labor have fallen in prices, and a corresponding reduction should have been made in carrying on the Park De- partment as in other departments. I believe a large number of employéson the rolls of the department are entirely unnecessary, A mt, and carofully pre- pared statement has been read. Until I heard it I had jpposed that the Park Department was man- board of four men; but it seems now that it d by one person, I think yr Colonel Stebbins will bear compazison with any administration, He is not pres- ent; ho is a very t gentleman about claiming any credit for himself, and therefore [ eay this now in his absence. ‘After some further debate both resolutions passed and the Board adjourned, THE ALDERMEN. FURTHER PROPOSED INCREASE OF THE ESTI- MATES BY NEARLY $400,000—rtoTsL INCREASE OVER A MILLION DOLLARS. A regular meeting of the Aldermen took place yes- terday, President Lewis in the chair, ‘A protest was received {rom the German-American Householders’ Association against the increase of the estimates by the Board, and demanding a reduction of twenty percent, It was placed on Ble. The Board went into Committee of the Whole on the estimates, when the following changes in the allow- ance of the Board of Estimate and Apportionment ‘e recommended :— ais Amount Raved Estimated, "To. Increase, For codifying city ordi- — nanees vesesee (New item) $5,000 $5,000 Park Department—Main- tenance, salaries, &c.. 45,000 60,000 15,000 Park Department— Wages of laborers..... 175,000 315,000 140,000 Harlem River bridges. 25,000 56,000 31,000 Roads im 28d and 24th wards. - 40,000 79,000 39,000 Survey ‘ and 24th’ wards (New item) 39,000 39,000 Sea wall at Bawery... witem) 7,500 7,500 For tax maps. (New item) 6,600 6,600 Bronx River bridges.. (New item) 29,000 29,000 City Hall Park pave- MODE. ee eeeee . 5,000 20,000 "15,000 Shen— ‘Support of prisoners, County Jail. 10,000 20,000 10,000 Fees. 25,000 50,000 25,000 Court attendants 16,800 24,000 7,200 Health Departme! Salaries. eonae 120,000 143,190 23,190 Disintecting purposer. 10,000 13,500 3,500 Contingencies........ 5,000 5,810 ‘810 Total increase recommended...... +++ +6$896,800 The committee rose, reported the changes made, and, on a motion to adopt the report, it was decided in the affirmative by the following vote:— Yras.—The Presi Aldermen Cole, Guntzer, Keenan, | atdoaie Purroy, J. Reilly, Sauer, Seery, Sheils, Slevin, TATE? Aldermen Billings, Gross, Hess, Howland, Morris, Pinckney, Wade—7. ‘The Board adjourned until Monday next at two P. M. It willbe seen that the proposed increase is as {fol- lows:— Park Department. + $322,100 Health Department. ‘27,600 Sheritf’s Oitica Common Pleas 5 Coditication of ordinat Total increase yesterday seve Previous merease recominended (about). Total proposed increasc.. up arsecks: Fortunately for the interest of the taxpayers tho Board of Aldermen have no power to increase an The Board of Estimate and apportionment havo atter under their entire control. THE COMPTROLLERSHIP, A Gelegation of bankers of this city yesterday pre- sented the following petition to Mayor Wickham on behaif of Comptroller Green :— Naw York, Nov, 18, 1876 To the Hon, Wx. H. Wicknam, Mayor, and the Common Cousci. or Tux City or New York :— GuxvLxmes—The undersigned taxpayers of the city of New York, grateruliy recognizing the faithful aud efficient services of Andrew H. Green, the present Comptroller, and bis persevering exertions in protect- ing the city \reasury trom nd exorbitant de- mands, earnestly desire th: be retained in the ot- fice wh dutics he und 0 well ard which no has so They thereiore re- spectiully solicit bis reappoimtment to the position, ‘The document is signed by the presidents of nearly all the leading banks of the city and by sevoral of the principal mercantile firms of Wall and Broad streets and Exchango place. FUNERAL OF JOHN M. BIXBY, ‘The funeral of the late John M. Bixby took place yesterday morning from his residence, No. 461 Fifth avenue, The body was nnclosed in a handsome pol- ished casket, and the plate bore the name and dates of birth and death of the deceased, Tho remains were conveyed to St. Thomas? Protestant Episcopal chure! Fifth avenue and Fifty-third st 4, where impressi' services were celebrated by the rector, tne Rov. W. F. Morgan, who paid a fitting tribute in his oration to the character of the lat . Bixby. The church was tnrouged by the fri ‘and rolatives of the deceased, anda many mombers of the legal profession were pres- ent. Atthe conclusion of the services the remains were taken to Georgia, Where they will beinterred by jo of his wile. PASSING A WORTHLESS CHECK, Samuel B. Downes, of No. 833 West Twelfth street, sold, some days ago, $76 worth of poultry to Grory® Cohen, a butcher, at No. 731 Third avenue, The lat, ter gave Downes a worthless check on the Grand Cen. tral Bank, and in consequence a worrant for his arrest was issued by Judge Wandoll, at the Frity-seventn 4 Court, Coben, having veard of this, hurried to and pard him the $76, and the result was that oben Was arrested and brought to Court y terday, Downes did not appear to prosecute. was committed, however, jor examinatio! officer was instracted to bring Downes to Court, Th having beon done, was 60" ly lectured. by ourt and Cohea was hold for trial in $1,000 bail, NEWS IN THE CITY. George 4. Mitchell, who had been im ill health for some time past, was found dead in bis bed in French's Hotel yesterday morning. At seven o’clock yesterday morning a fire broke out in the ftth floor ef Nos. 132 and 134 Front street, oc- cupied by James K. Place & Co., tea packers, Dam- age to stock $500 and to building $300. Detective Phil. Reilly returned from Canada yester- day without the prisoner Veltman, owing to some legal dificultios, Those diMfculties, raised by the pris- oner’s counsel, will cause delay of some days, The store of Harris Goldsteiv, No. 509 Grand street, was broke into by burglars on Wednesday night and a large quantity of clothing to the value of $1,800 was carried away. The entrance was effected by jorcing open the rear door. James McLoughlin, the Greenpoint carpenter who, on the morning of the 14th inst., fractured the skull of Officer O'Shea, of the Eighth precinct, by a blow with a saw, was beld to answer in $1,000 bail by Justice Bixby, at the Wasnington Place Court, yesterday. Coroner Marsh made a post-mortem examination of the Pole, Sielleva, who was found dead at No, 166% Leovard street, yesterday, and he found enough Paris green in the stomach of the deceased to kill turee men. No reason cap be assigned for the suicide, if it was one. The next lecture in the Cooper Union free course tor the people will be delivered om Saturday evening in the great hall, at eight o'clock, by Mr. C. E. Morse, Civil Engineer, ot New York, on “Tho Operations at Hei! Gate,’ illustrated with models, diagrams and ex- periments. : A tourist, whose name is supposed to be Michael Stevens, aged about thirty-Ove years, of Columbus, Olio, got aboard the steamer Jesse Hoyt, at Sandy Hook Li Lagoon in good health yesterday morning, hud died of heart disease while the steamer was on aer way to this cit; Mr. Anthony A, Comstock and Detective Joseph A. Britton, of the Society for the Prevention of Vice, yes- terday arrested Philip Keep; a German, of No, 161 West Nineteenth street, for making obscene draw- ings. Atthe Washington Place Court yesterday the prisoner wes held for turther examination, The commander of the steamer Jesse Hoyt, as the vessel was coming into her dock on the North River yesterday moruing from Sandy Hook, noticed a man ning against a pilo of freight, An examination showod that the man was dead, From papers found on his person it is supposed that his namo was Michael Stephens, of Columbus, Ohio. Annie and Lizzie Smith, sisters, aged respectively eleven and fourteen years, were yesterday arrested by officers of the Society for the Prevention ot Cruelty to Children for mondicancy. They were taken before Justice Dufly at the Tombs. Annie’s behavior in Court was that ofa young barbarian. she scowled at the officers, snapped at them, and told the Justice ho could send her to the House of Kefugo if he dare. It took two officers to take her down st Nellie Vincent, the theatrical singer, charged with tho larceny of a gold watch and chain from a female friend, was again arraigned before Judge Wandell, at the Filty-seventh Street Court, yesterday, for disposi- tion, The Judge held the defendant in $1,000 bail to avswer a charge Nag ier larceny. Mr. Hitchcock, the proprietor of the Third Avenue Toeatre ana the e ployer of the aceused, had interceded for her, giving er a good character, but he refused to become her bondsman, and, in default of bail, she was committed to prison until her husband could procure the neces- sary bonds, Coroner Eilinger held an inquest yesterday in the case of Ludmilla Johnschek, when tho jury rendered verdict of suictde by drowning horseli in a ern during a temporary aberration of the mind. The evi- dence showed that the woman was naturally o! a melancholy turn of mind, and that somo time previous to hor death she received a fall which injured ber head and probably aflected the brain. This produced head- ache and led tothe mental aberration, during which she threw herself into the cistern in the yard attached to her house, on Third avenue, petween 164th and 165th streets. Coroner Ellinger also held an inquest on the body of Matilda Schurgas, who committed suicide by taking Paris green at No. 401 West Fifty-fourth street. The deceased was housekeeper for Frederick Rieb. On the 6th of October last Rieb came home and found deceased sick on the bed, He asked her what was (he matter, othing.’? Rieb then lay down to s.eop, and was awakened by deceased, who told him she “had taken something to kill cockroaches,” Rieb notified the police, but the woman died shortly alter. Betore she died she admitted having taken poison, and pave asa reason for the act a lawsuit she bad with an- other woman. The verdict of the jury was suicide, Coroner Woltman held an inquest in the case of a sailor named Alonzo Williams, who, while riding up town on a Sixth avenue car, fell off the iront platform, between Thirty-seventh and Thirty-cighth streets, on the 13th inst, and hud bis arm run over by the car, receiving a compound fracture, from the shock of which he died. Thero was evidence to inculpate the driver, but all the evidence went to show that Williams accidentally slipped off the plattorm. The jury ren- dered the following Verdict:—“That the said mao came to hig death by injuries accidentally received by being run over by car No, 11 of the Sixth Avenug Railroad, November 13, 1876, and we recommend that the proper authorities epact or carry out an ordinanee or law for tho proper protection against accidents on city rail- BROOKLY ‘There were 171 deaths in Brooklyn during the past week, being a decrease of thirteen from the week previous. Patrick Kelly was convicted of grand larceny in the Court ot Sessions yesterday, and sentenced for one year to the Penitentiary. The suit of Mr. 8S. V. White against Daniel Drew, to recover the sum of $41,400 claimed on a due bill, re- sulted yesterday in a disagreemont of the jury. Jobn Carlan, thirty years of age, was arrosted last night charged with stealing a piece of cloth valued at $5 from the clothing store of Charles E. Teal, Nos. 607 and 609 Fulton street, Yesterday the police of the Second preciact, Brook- lyn, made a wholesale raid on all of the policy shops located in the Filth ward, but the dealers succeeded in avoiding them, and no arrests were made, Charles Green, twenty-two yours of age, residing at No. 218 Lorimer street, was arrested last night charged with picking the pocket of Joseph Brennen of $17 while the latter was sleeping in the saloon at No. 477 Graui street. The Temperance Brotherhood of Brooklyn claim that the Boara of Police and Excise havo been issuing Heenses contrary to statutes, and they intend to urge the Gommissioners not to issuo licenses to dealers found violating the Sunday law. The Board of Police and Excise of Brooklyn yester day held its regular weeekly trials of officers charged with violation of orders, Several oficors were fined; Captain James Campbell, Tenth precinct, was repri- manded for permitting a prisoner to escape; Sergeant Smith Hail, charged with making a false report, Hall pleaded guilty, and the Commissioners held his case under advisement. WESTCHESTER, The annual exhibition of the Westchester Poultry Association 18 announced to commence at Mount Kiseo on the 5th prox., and to continue four days. Bishop Harris has appointed Rev, Delos Lull, of Sing Sing, presiding elder of the Poughkeepsie district of the New York Methodist Episcopal Conference in place of Rev. W. Goss, deceased. In tho County Court yesterday tho case of Laniry vs. Spreen, particulars of which wero mentioned in the Herawp of yesterday, was concluded by a verdict for the plaintiff of $225 and costs, The State Comptroller has notified the Board of Su- pervisors that the amount of taxes for the county this year is $207,000. This is less by $130,000 than the tax apportionment of last ye E. R. Lockman, a convict in Sing Sing Prison. and who has of late been employed as dispensary clerk for the hospital, committed suicide yesterday by taking poison. An inquest was held and a vordict rendered Of felo de se. ‘The question as to whether tho cost of, conveying prisoners from various portions of the county to tho jail at White Plains should be borne by the towns in whieh they were arrested or by the county at large, has been decided by Justice Dykman in favor of the towns and against the county, which 1s in future to bear that expense. The decision covers every grade of offenders, including tramps. NEW JERSEY, The case of John Henry Schwamb, the murderer, ‘now in jail at Jersey City, has been set down for con- sideration by the Court of Pardons next Monday, The Hudson county Board of Health will be in at: tendance at Public School No, 1, Jersey City, this alternoon, at two o'clock, to vaccinate, ree of charge, all poor persons who may present themsvives, The Jersey City Board of Education will hold another meeting this evening, to resume the discussion on the reduction of teachers’ salaries. An effort is to be made by some of the members to have the meeting held with closed doors, The trial of Mrs, Hansen, alias Mra. Gibson, the al- leged confidence woman, who used the name of Cardi- nal McCloskey to carry out her purp: will take place In the Court of Special Sessions at Jersey City this morning. She waived a trial by jury. Diphther still pre’ tin Jersey City ' Several children have died within thrae weeks in one block on Fitth street, Tho worst district is im the vicinity of Morgan and Henderson streets, Some action on tho part of the city authorities be taken to keep streets ciean and compel owners of houses, especially ar. of tenements, to have sinks, outhouses and cesspest) properly cleansed and disiniected. Sergeant Werner, of the Third precinet, Jersey city, ‘met with a serious accident while making his roundt in Summit avenue on Wednesday night. Hearing the slamming of a door ip an unoccupied house, which he eupposed to be the resort of thieves, he entered, and Lita: aboleis the floor, breaking two of bis r One of the old German singing societies of Jersey City, entitied the St. Cecilia Verein, gave aconcertand dramatic entertainment iant g in Germavia Hall, Firststreet, Some fine recitations were given by chil dren of the members of ty. Some favoriue German songs were given by Mr, und drs. Glaser, Pro fessor Stutzer leading the orchestra. THE MANCHESTER MARTYRS. NINTH ANNIVERSARY OF THEIR MARTYRDOM BY THE FENIAN BROTHERHOOD, The large hall of the Cooper Union was filled to ex cess last evening by an enthusiastic audience, whe assembled to commemorate the ninth anniversary of the execution of the three “Irish martyrs,” Allea, Larkin and O’Brien, at Manchester. On the plattorm were seated many whose names are woll know! among the Irish nationalists, and tn the vody of th, hall, to the right of the platform, were the officers members of the Sixty-vinth regiment. The pillara back of the speakers’ stand were decorated with the American and Irish flags entwined and festooned with mourning, upon which were hung mottoes, reading:— “God save Ireland,” ‘Allen, Larkin, O'Brien, Ban ret,” “Fenian Brotherhood.” About hbalf-past eignt Colonel Jol O’ Mahon: stepped forward, aud, after the applause with whi his appearance was greeted had subsided, said:— Lapies AND GeNTLEMEN—We are assembled here te do houor to the memory of Ireland’s latest martyrs, who died in Mancnester on this day nine years ago. They did honor to the Irish cause in their death, and though their previvus lives were obscure, the move! for which they suffered thus wrought so much ft amelioration of the condition of Ireland that goes oo further a halo of glory will radiate around th memories in future generations, In conclusion Colonel O'Mahony begged his bearers not to let this Fenian movement rest whore it 1s now, but pursue it to the end until Ireland assumes its proper place among the Bations of the earth. Letters of regret at not deing able to be present were read from General William G. Halpin, Cincin- nati; Dion. Boucicauit; F. ¥, Millen and the Rev, George W. Pepper, pasior of the Methodist Episcopal church, Mount Vernon, Ohio, The latter in his communication, suggested three groan: Charles Francis Adams, which were given with a will. Mr, Thomas Clarke Luby, O'Donovan Rossa and oth- ers made addresses, and, with a hearty concurrence in the sentiment of “God save Lreland,’’ the vast assem- blage separated. AN INSURANCE COMPANY'S VICTORY, On tho 25th of last June a fire was caused at the residence of Mr. Detwiller, No. 720 Gates avenues, Brooklyn, by the ignition of some fire crackers. Fire Marshal Keady estimated Mr. Detwiller’s loss at $2,500, Thin loss was tully covered by insurance in the Phaoix Company, which offered to settie with Mr. Detwilicr for the sum of $500. These terms Mr. Detwillor re- fused to accede to, and commenced an action against the company for $3,000, The trial took place in the Brookivn City Court yesterday, before Judge McCue. The plaintiff in his evidénce testitied that there were several caps of kerosene oil in bis shoe store, in the front part of the building, at the time of the'fire, and notwithstanding the fact that it could not be proved that the tire was in any manner caused by the oil, the counsel for the delence movea that the suit be dismissed, on the ground t the plaintiff had vio- dated his contract with the company. In moving tor the dismissal counsel stated that thé policy contained a clause in fine print, which prohibited the use, storags or saie of kerosene oil without the written consent of t! company. A similar provision could be found in all wnsurance policies, This precaution was taken by the insurance Companies on account of the exteusive use of kerosene oii at the present time, It was decided by Judge McCue that tho contract had been violated. He therefore non-suited the plaintiff. A COUNTERFEIT MONEY. A notorious sharper {ell into the hands of the Jersey City police on Wednesday night, About nine o'clock he entered Fred Kritzmer’s store corner of Jersey avenue and Colden street, and bought a small quantity of groceries, offering a ton-dollar bill in payment Kritzmer recognized him as the man who passed a ten-dollar counter- feit bill on him some time ago, He looked closely at the bill, and found it to be similar to the former one, Seizing the sharper, he held him till an oflicer arrived and took him to the First precinct station, where he gave his name as John Manning, bis ge nineteen, and his residevce New Yor When brongut before Justice Keese yesterday he became dofiant and sbusive. He was identified by Mrs. Bar. who keeps a store at the coroer of York and Van Vorst streets, as the man who passed a counter! ten-doliar bill on ber last Friday night, and tried similar game on Wednesday mght. Mr.’ Hautunal, a thira storekeeper, of No, 237 York street, then stepped up and pointed out the fellow as g passed a ten- dollar counterfeit note at store shortly before he entered Kritzmer’s place. No counterfeit money wat found on him, as he bad confederates who toliowed him trom bouse to house, took away the goods, and handed him another bill, ‘Justice Keese handed the prisoner over to the United States Commissionor, REAL ESTATE, 5 The following sales wero effected at the Real @state Exchange yesterday :— Richard V. Harnett sold, by order of the Sapreme Court, tn foreclosure, Le Roy 8. Gore, refcree, ome lo on East Sixty-filth street, south side, 100 feet erst of Fifth avenue, to piaintiffs, George Millor and Stepher D, Marshall, executors of will of Levin R. Marshall, deceased. Also by order of the Supreme Court, in foreclosure, D, Seymour, referee, three lots, each 25x 100.5, on West Sixty-seventh street, south side, 350 feet west of Eighth avenue, to plaintiffs, George M. Miller and David Lane, executors of the will of Josiah Lane, deceased, for $15,750. ‘Also fonr iots, each 252102 2, on West Seventy-sec- ond street, south side, 175 eet west of Eighth avenue, to George M. Miller and David Lane, plaintifils, tor ales two lots, each 25x100.5, on West Sixty-sixth street, north side, 375 feet weat of Eighth avenue, to George M. Miller and David Lane, plaintif's, ‘tor 10,500 4 Also, by order of the Supreme Court, in foreclosure, Geor Carr, referee, one lot, 25x75, on Sixch ave- nue, norih side, 50 feet south of 132d at., to Benjamin A. Wilils for $4,309. Adrian H. Muller & Son sold, by order of the Sa- remo. Court in foreclosure, 8. B, Brownell, referee, building, with plot of ' Innd 40,6x64.4x32x7 on East Thirty-eighth street, north side, 159.5 te east of Second avenue, to Star Fire lusurance Com- pany, plaintiff, for $8,900. A. J, Bleecker & Son sold, by order of the Supreme Court in foreclosure, R. H. Coanning, referee, thi block bounded by Lexingiog and Third avenues, 106th and 107th streets, to Benjamin Richardson, for $61,750, TRANNYERS 1224 st., n. 6., 221.3 ft. ©. of Ist av.. 16.8x1 H. Bartis and wife to J. B. Thomson... 105th at., 8. s., 300 ft, 6, of 4th as Curtis and husband to J. L. R. fh ste, m8. (No, 13), 250 th 45x100.5; Charles Duggin and Yvelin 218th st. (deed dated 1867) ; C. irdiner to A. Stewart. 1d corner ot 129tn st., 1 sto Seth M., 0. Kiernan a Forrest av., w. 6, 145.2 18. 4); ©. Pastor to G, Clar! ‘&., 200 ft. w. of Washington ay. Jas, Rowan and wife to P. MeNen- Beg, 8 AD Fh Calvin and wi Foun ak 8s Lod urphy and wite Sd ste 6 Tooker $0 F. Sebi * 10,000 6,500 Nom. uc Ella nt., irresui B, Hard, retoros, to N. J. Tallman, . womtgaces. ‘Angeline, Catharine T.,to A? Mills, St, Ann’ 5. of Kae st. eyes Michael F,, to We 4th av. dyears Hosanna and has!) No, 1.767; yi) mary Bi juth: HUG iusto 4 seers 5,000 Kinghelwood, K.. to 1. Siienbury. of dist st., we vet sen ‘ ud baaband, wie A, Livingston, we) 00 on st. 5 Yents, to M. Kis, w. 142 Nassua aud 14 Bookinan st. ; Marks, B., to B. Rassak, 164 Chath, Rogers, K. 8., to b. H. Hasbrouk, w, of Sth athoot YOnTS...4 ‘4 A. H.. to J. W. Vaeuum (trdsioe), «8. of Ww. of Madison av, ni Rathoone, J..to A. H, Rathooue, # & of KK ‘bridge road; 3 yours mon, 8. to A. Jaba,