Amt. brought forward, $3,605 00 $40,Ɛ06_00 $20,453 65 Cranston Pond, Nos. 19, Amt. carried forward, $7,955 00 $61,756 00 $20,453 65 The Broadway Bridge, commenced in 1869, and which, according to the terms of the contract with the Moseley Iron Building Works, was to have been completed December 1, of that year, is not yet finished. Sept. 19, 1870, the following communication was received: "To the Committee on Paving of the Board of Aldermen of the City of Boston: "GENTLEMEN, -Owing to business embarrassments we are compelled to suspend operations on the construction of the Broadway Bridge under our contract with the city. We therefore, hereby request you to proceed to finish the bridge, charg ing the expense thereof to our account, and you are authorized for that purpose to use the buildings, machinery and tools at our works on Kemble street, and at the site of the bridge, without charge. Materials and labor employed to be paid for by you under the above arrangement. "The Moseley Iron Building Works. "By AMBROSE EASTMAN, Treasurer." On the receipt of this communication, T. Willis Pratt, Superintending Engineer, was authorized to complete the bridge according to the plans and specifications, and employ the labor and procure the materials necessary therefor. A full report upon the cost, condition, and time of completion of this bridge, made to the committee by the Superintending Engineer, Dec. 27, 1870, will be found in City Document, No. 120, of that year. In March last a communication was addressed to the Board of Aldermen in relation to this bridge, intimating that the plans and specifications were defective in essential particulars; that modifications would certainly be required which would entail upon the city increased cost, that the city was paying an exorbi tant price for a structure that would fail to give satisfaction, and that large sums of money had been used to influence the award of the contract. This communication was referred to the Committee on Paving, who gave the matter a most thorough examination, and the author of the communication and those from whom he had received his information the amplest opportunity to sub. stantiate their charges. The Committee reported to the Board of Aldermen "the result of the investigation has been an entire failure on the part of those who sought to show corruption in the making of the contract. The charges appear to have grown out of loose insinuations, made either by those who were disappointed, or those who find their chief occupation in magnifying the errors of judgment of others, and in insinuating corrupt motives. It is time that some steps were taken to check this pernicious habit of making loose accusations and insinuations against those who are intrusted with the discharge of difficult and responsible official duties. The tendency, of course, is to make respectable citizens who have reputation at stake shun public office, and avoid all connection with the public service, In the case under consideration, there appears to have been no just foundation whatever for the grave charges that were made. Neither against the Committee on Paving of last year who acted under the orders of the Board of Aldermen, nor against any of the officers connected with the government, is there any evidence which in any degree affects their integrity." The amount expended under the direction of the Committee on Paving during the past year for the Broadway extension, and for damages occasioned by the raising of the grade of Broadway, Dorchester avenue and Second street to conform to the grade of the bridge, has been as follows: On account Moseley Iron Building Works con- Clapp & Ballou, retaining and abutment walls T. W. Pratt, services as Superintendent $147,811 85 19,792 32 2,255 00 3,600 00 Pay-roll of sundry persons employed in City En |