New-York daily tribune., 1842-07-20
Municipal Reform,

The Joint Special Committee OF the Common
Council reported on Monday evening an ordinance
reducing the respective compensations Of several
officers under the City Corporation as follows
The Clerk OF the Common Council. from - $50 10 $7co
the assistant d. $500 $500 the Clerk OF tue Board
of assistants from 1920 10 $1,000 the Counsel Of thu Corpo
from $1,000 5000; the Corporation Attorney from
5000 $500; the Clerk Counsel of Corporation from
s2oo to $500 The Clerk Of corG2rsIon Atorney to s9
do. from Slo $1,000; I'll the Street Inspectors except
the in the 6b ward from $3.50 to $780, the Street In.
specisr tn 6ih Ward 5000; the Doc! Masters from $500
To SiO0 the Mayors Clerk Iem >l2O 5000; the Fir,
Marshall $780, the Public Adn,'qsrator 10 $3.50 the
is; the CITY Inspector. from SNc TO eloN; ne
Assistant S900 $70 the Sergeant al Arms o the
Board of Alderiuen 500; Captains OF the watch ir0m
the watchmen 81 5 to 81 per r.h; the principal be
ringer al the City Hall from 81 IS TO 81 5o al the oIe'
$7co 10 500; the Messenger of Common Council 500
all the Day Police Officers 81 50 each
The total amount of Retrenchment effected by
this ordinance (Which is morally certain to pass }
is some 100000 per annum.
These reductions appear TO have been made
with much Judgment and consideration, though
We think they nigh, have been carried little far
Iher in some instances. 1t cannot be forgotten
that the value of Property the Wages of Labor
and the wost of Food, Fuel &c. have fallen very
considerably within the last few years. Five hun
dred dollars now is more than six hundred il 1889
OF seven hundred in 1896. All salaries should be
graduated accordingly: and if the time comes
round when they should in Justice be raised (of
which the prospect appears distant and dubious }
ii viii be very easy to restore them.
However. We rejoice that good beginning
ha, bssn made in the right quarter, and feel conf
dent tina, the work of Reform will he carried into
other departments Of the public service. The
Cleaning of Streets is cared for the manage
ment of the Aims House Prisons, &c. &c, arc
also in good hands. If the year commencing with
the accession Of the Wings does not exhibit q very
sensible reduction in the City Expenditures, We
shall be sadly disappointed.
The Common Council we are sure. will not
weary in woll-doing. We hear with pleasure that
the long standing abuse of half Supporting crowd
OF Political loafers and Council hangerson at the
table of the Corporation Tea-Roon has alread,
been amended. Tho time must soon come when
that Tea Room and all other inciden,als will be
dispensed with altogether, and those Aldermen who
choose to take it paid a moderate compensation
for their services. The public generally paws the
highest price for such services as it gets nominay
for nothing
But there arc several matters of great and gen.
eral importance which require 10 be looked into
forthwith For instance, our Mnket Laws, pro-
hibting the assle of Meats but at certain hired
stalls and compelling the Farmers and Gardeners
who supply US to sell only through the medium Of
marketmen or huck,ters. who take liberal shce
of the pay for their trouble. We do not assume
10 say what notifications can safely be made in
the Meat laws, or that any can; but the public
voice clearly demands that the subject shall be
fully considered So FAR as the sale of frsi.
Vegetables &c. Is concerned however, We have
little doubt that greater freedom in our Market,
would be signal public benefit I, there another
civ in the world ~herr the producer andoon.umer
of ,hsse articles are walled apart as IN our, =
Then the laws compelling buyers and seller. OF
Wood. Coal. Grain, &c. to employ Corporation
Weiybers and Measucrs"-let these be fairly over
bssled We need such officers undoubtedly; but
i, there any need of compelling our citizens to EN-
ploy them We think Rot, but are open TO convic