Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1838-01-23

OF Alderman Varisn was carried
$60,000 were proposed for roads and avenues; this
Alderman Varan moved should be reduced 10 $46 900
which amendment was carried.
$4,000 for repairs and supplies was moved Al
derman Varan proposed that this sum should be re-
duced 10 $4,000 The amendment was lost by the
Presidents casting vote the ayes and noes being
equal.
The question that the law for appropriations as
amended should be GARFIELD alderman Pstterson)
in the negatives in the affirmative. The law was
therefore carried. .
1t was then proposed that document No. AZ, being
tho report of the committee on police ON the expedl.
ency OF investigating the cause Of fires, be taken up
The report recommended the appointment OF one or
more commissioners Of fires, to summon witnesses
and enfored their attendance and testimony IN way
analogous to the mode Of the coroner in holding his
inquests. On division the question of taking up
was carried and the report read.
Alderman Ingraham opposed the adopting the re-
port because would bc1avorable to the Insurance
offices alone, and on account OF the multiplication
of officers in the nomination of the Common Coun-
ell which was the aggravatIon Of great and crying
evil. The power of appointment of officers made the
corporation mere political machine; and this pow
er must be taken way, before the Common Council
can be freed from party views Take this away and
the corporation would then attend exclusively to the
objects of utility comprehended in the creation of
such body.
Alderman Patterson thought that local officers
should be elected by local corporations In what
hands would the choice be vested The object of
the report TO reduce the rates Of insurance. which
were higher than in London, and double those in
Philadelphia. This was questioned protection, and
remedial measure.
After some farther observations, the report was or
dered to lie the table, and be the special question
for the next meeting.
Alderman Whitehead moved that the report on the
City Hail bell should be taken up. 1t proposed that
$1,000 be appropriated procure fresh bell, the
present ore was quite inefficient for the purposes
- - L. Il
satisfaction TO the fremen and citizens all that
wanted is bell of proper size and construction. 1t
was also proposed to establish bell in the upper
part of the city, 10 be struck in answer to the City
Hall bell. The COMMITTEE propose advertising for
bell that should be warranted by the furnishers.
Alderman Varian said that no belle that would be
warranted could be procured for $1,000. The present
one had crack, au its tongue had caused much in
jury. He thought that gong would be preferable
and many gentlemen had made the same obseraoa
ton.
The appropriation was unanimously carried.
$4,000 were voted for Stuyvesant Square. Alder
man Bruen thought that the appropriation went to
improve Mr.. Stuyvesants property at the publ e.
it, he would not wish the faith Of the city should be
broken. The appropriation was carr ed.
Alderman Patterson moved that the New York and
Erie Rail Road memorial be taken up. II was
ried, and report from the Mayer on the subject
read. A series of resolutions grounded thereon was
read recommending the work to the patronage OF the
Legislature and its cooperation therein.
Alderman Varian objected to the Corporation CIV
ing its sanction the application Of the Company TO
the Legislature for the loan of three millions Of dol
lars which was the object OF the memorial.
Alderman Bruen thodght that the corporation
rightly called upon TO express its opinion in ia
vor Of great internal improvements, and the New
York and Erie Rail Road was the greatest now in
contemplation. He supported the memorial He
did not think that majority of any party, Locofeco,
Destructves, Conservatives, or Native Americans
would oppose the great work. He remembered when
his learned and excellent friend, the exAlms House
Commissioner, John rargec, called the Erie Canal the
"big ditch"
Aldermen varian thought that the people indvidu-
ally mght approve Of the work; but they certainly
would not TO the States pledging itself for
three millions Of dollars to add TO the company s
stock Yet to persuade the State to do this was the
object Of this memorial Let the legislature do il
pleases in the matter bit do not let the city of New
York interfere under its corporate seal.
Alderman Paterson and Hoxie warmly advocated
Alderman Ingraham moved an amendment that
the State acquire the proprieorship of the undertake
ing, and that il be completed at the public expense
The amendment wasl lost voting ferit, and gainst
IT, The original resolution was then put 10 the ques-
ton, and carried, and the Mayor was requested to
forward short memorial and copy OF the resolu-
tons to the members of the Legislature now in
session.
It was then resolved that $1,000 be appropriated to
Left the Board sitting at half past l. when the pro-
ceeds were alternate motions TO take up business and
to adjourn.
BOARD OF ASSISTANTS, Monday, January o.
The Mayor sent in a message with a copy OF a bill
now before the state legislature, relative TO the
Common Council and its powers-as also that OF the
police and ether criminal courts. This was referred
Petitions Referred-Of A. Livingston, J. A. Mac
kay, w. G. Prout z. Van Arsdae, and A. Fink for
relief from erroneous assessments and taxes OF
Mary Watts for release of the water grant at Man
hattanve-
Reports of Committees-Adverse to the petition OF
A. c. Patterson for relief from tax. In favor Of al
fering the city plan 10 extend Lexington avenue TO
Goth street-adopted. Favorable 10 constructing a
ferry the foot of Houston streetlad on the table
In favor Of paying John w. Van Nuyse $50 for extra
services-adoptcd. Adverse 10 the petition Of Geo.
A. Furst and ID. J. Ebbetts relative to payments OF
contracts in advance-aid on the table In favor OF
releasing Charles Esel from paying rent for par
tcular baildiRg-adopted
Also a report adverse TO the anticipating assess
ments for the payment of contracts in advance.
The finance committee reported that the corpora
ton could not pay its debts IN specie, because col
lectcd its dues in paper money; also, that the bank
paper Of this city valuable than the govern
ment paper They prayed to be discharged from fur.
Their consideration Of specie payments Their report
was adopted, and they were discharged.
This board then non concurred with the Board of
Aldermen in leasing Mill Rock to Geo. ID. Wall for
$50 year. and powder house to be built and no
spirits 10 be sed.
THIS board then agreed to remit the rcnt of the