The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-05-12

already so heavily imposed
The condition Of the children heretofore Left at the
M ms on Long Island claims your early attention. They
are now In the buildings Blackwels Island which
WI DC occupied by the inmates Of the Aims House
Nv neneveu who will be removed thence and adequate
ovaon Tor the accommodation Of these children must
1t has occurred me- and respectfv urc. unor vou
wood H OF the suggestion, that the erection OF
sdeouate "raSs, on ksndas Island would be an
movision Tor their wants. Humanity 10 the
poor ana amcted demands at hands that every re-
comfort Of those who want and .ne,n ans
compsaea TO SEEK support from public charity am
medical treatment Of inmates Of the A%s TOT M Inc
prisons and lunatic asylum, utterly inaasn"ss.
to their wants and it is imperative duty to nrovS
enlarged facilities for this purpose and the hast
talent which the city afford. The mode in which s~
pcnditures are made in some branches OF this a Ga
ment seems to to demand your prompt action
The amount Of donations for door poor last wear VIVA
$40 4ss o. large sum- and one expended upon the sole
responsibility Of the superintendent Of out door poor
respectfully urge upon you the expedency Of devising
means to reduce this large expenditure, and to provide
such checks will insure strict accountability in the
disbursing ONCE.
Another Of expense in the department Is the
tanned as witnesses They are here confined ndiscrimi
natey with convcts and with those against whom they
strongly urge immediate action the practice is
aught with moral and physical evils that demand i'm
this subject is so forcibie apt
forbear quoting the hopes that your Of justice
and humanity win not permit more time to elapss than
to make such change that this foul blot upon cha
racter as civilized humane and Christian community,
should be eradicated.n
1t is proper while abiding to this department, that
should call your attention to the act recently by
the Legislature regulating the bonding and Communication
OF aien passengers and taking from the city the respon
sibiy Of supporting those who may hereafter become
chargeable as paupers The commission instituted by
virtue Of this law has yet organized SO as
enable mo to communicate fully to you the prsct
cal operation Of this SYSTEM but when il shall commence
the duties devoving upon it. will be nv duty TO call
your attention thereto, with view to such action
your part as may seem requisite for the protection Of the
city.
The police system also demands your careful invcsti
cation with view to ascertain If it cannot be so i'm
proved az to he more efficient and serviceabe II has
been in operation sufficient time to enable form
just estimate Of its worth and regret the necessity
which compes me thus officially to state, that far
my observation extends II has failed to meet the
just expectations of the community.
The enormous annual outlay necessary for it's support
has not produced corresponding benefits either in the
prevention Of crime the arrest of offenders and it Is
good order and quiet Of the city have not been
conspicuous than under the former system
On the 18th Of March S47 the chief Of police report
ed to the Board Of Aldermen that although the nominal
force Of tho police under his control comprised
the three months ending January ST. isa7, the actual
loss Of services OF policemen from sickness and suspen
sons amounted to ots days being an average Of 8.
who do not perform duty during the night the number
actually available for night service only SOL men,
but one half Of whom duty at time and yet this
system which affords little protection citizens and
their property especially night is supported
and continued at an annual expense of $4,000.
This enormous expense Is for salaries only, aud does
not include the lighting Of the station houses which
requires average cost Of $2a0 each, the fitting
up and repairing the station houses which, some in
stances at least has been done at great expense such
productive Of those beneficial results for which the
community had right to look, forms in my opinion
good reason for disseminating essentially modifying
system which makes non producers of nine hundred
men, who might by mechanical or other pursuits sup
port themselves and families and thus contribute their
quota to the generabprosperlty Of the community.
In this view recommend for your consideration the
the present police system II it be with
leaving the city responsible for the pay of pre-
sent force during the unexpred their appoint
ment beg leave to suggest for your cons Iteration az
substitute for the present inefficient system the esab
shment of n night watch to consist OF 1900 men who
would be enabled in addition to performing their duties
wztchmen to pursue their ordinary avocations
ing the day The city shall be divided into not less
than nine watch districts with captain and assistant
captain in each and for the ordinary police duties re-
quired to be performed during the day, a suaicisnt
number Of marshas might be appointed 70 attend the
courts and to street inspectors health warden
&C. and these might be so connected with the night
watch that both would cooperate harmoniousy and
hciently.
of men would be always on duty without any addition
al expense and in the case Of few many being abb
sent their places would be supplied by substitutes who
would only be paid for the time they actually
duty. From careful estimate this subject, | am
prepared to assert that allowing to the night watch the
establishment would be less annually by upwards Of
100000 while additional security at night would be
and all the duties Of dy police would be performed
efficiently now.
head OF cleaning streets" call loudly for thorough
change and reform in this department OF the city 60
vernment The net for this object last
Sii7I97 &c. and while there ground to doubt the
fact Of the expenditure, there is equally for sup
Of just and general complaint that the streets were
neglected and that very little effort
zens The amount appropriated under this head for the
current year and Of this there has already
up to May the sum Of
when it is well known that little nothing be done
the cleaning Of streets at that Of the year
II a similar rate Of expenditure should be continued
through the year, this department alone will require
nearly $4,000; but trust that your wisdom and pru-
whereby this extravagsnt and wasteful expenditure win
be checked while at the time the condition Of the
streets shall be such will cleanliness health
and comfort, and this too, at greatly reduced
expenditure.
After careful elaboration feel at liberty to suggest
for your consideration the adoption Of system of con-
tracts TO 30 given to responsible men, and well
sured that By this means large would annually
be kept in much better and more ceanly state The
city might be divided into not less than eight districts
and provision should be made to have the great
fares swept before o'clock In the morning the
manure and rubbish removed immediately from the city
The subject Is OF such vast Importance feel that
too strongly impress upon your attention the
necessity of early action thereon and cannot doubt
mature would II faithfully carried out, be the Of
saving annually at least 100000 TO the city treasury
while it would be entirely acceptable to the whole
munity
The department of lamp, and gas claims, and will
doubt not receive early attention mt hands with
view the reduction Of the large expended
in its support The for lighting the streets
markets. station houses &c for the amount
cd to si62s30 81 There about 900 lamps supplied
with gas, and 1000 with oil the former south Grand
street costing about 81 per lamp and those north Of
Sl each As the gas affords the most light NJ 1t is
believed that the city could be lighted with 1t
nomicay than with oil, recommend the gradual dis
continuance of the oil lamps, and the lighting VI all the
streets 1t can be effected with gas This SUBJ
ject however will doubtless receive your early cousid-
Grafton and to your wisdom commit It, in the assur-
that you will adopt such will conducs
to economy in expenditure and the convenience of our
citizens.
That noble work rotor Aqueduct the enduring monu-
ment Of the enterprise Of city Of which all are 90
justly proud and whose value s each day and more
horcbly illustrated and properly appreciated fulhs all
the which formed of II mt its coucsp
! ton md is rapidly approaching compilation.