The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-05-10


l843- For the seven months
from about LIST Jan. to
Aug. Z, during which the
contract was in operation % 300 90
Paid in final settlement of
that contract in 1S45. 10000 90 3S 300 90
For the remaining mons
under tho direction of
the Superinten dent Of
streets :, aS9a ~
Net expenditure for the year. ........ go 400 90
1S44-For the period from Nov IL to Dec
81, during which the second contract
was IN operation. ...".3149 o.
For the previous period
from Jam. l, to Nov. IL,
udder tho Superintent. Jos 1868 Is
Less receipts for manure. 81 ,994 6S-77372 O5
Nett expenditure for the year. 81122 OF
lS45-For the period from Jan. to
May IL under the same contract, s5,15e 10
For the residue ofthe year
under Supt Of Streets. 1882 OF
Less receipts for manure 3OS s2-77 t443 25
Net expenditure for tho year. go. .112599 80
Although this statement does not present the full
comparative results of the different modes of cleaning
streets, it does show that in tho years which the
work was in part done by contract the expenditure
was much less than in the years in which 1t done
entirely by agents of the corporation. The difference
would undoubtedly have been more clearly exhibited
II the contract had continued during entire year.
but as it is the net expenditure for 1S43 during
months OF which the work was done by contract,
little than two-fths of that Of 1S47, when it
done in the other mode The expenditure for cleaning
streets by day work during the last has aarmngy
increased; its augmc ntation In the period Of single
from 1916 to 1s being greater than in the period
Of four years from 1912 to iS46 This difference does
not to any extent in the sweeping of the
and cartng the manure, which is done under the
pervsion Of the street inspectors, but arises prnci
pally from the increased payments for collecting and
transporting coal ashes and garbage and heapng ma
nure, and from horn blowers and manure inspectors,
and from decreased receipts from the sale of
oil of which under the charge of the superintendent
of streets These facts require that if the present
mode of cleaning streets should be adhered to-
sures should be taken to enforce more thorough
sponsbility in this department
But in my judgment we ought not to rest satisfied
with the present system The health of the city and
tie comfort Of its inhabitants dependent upon
this important object has been long the subject of
general and just complaint that ought not to tire
that proposals be Immediately issued for separate
tracts to clean the streets in each ward with prov
sion that payments from time to time shall not be
made, unless the bills for the work shall have been
countersgned by the alderman and assistant Of the
ward. The object of dividing the contracts is to allow
more peneral competiti0n--to render unnecessary
the investment of large sums in conducting the bust
ness-and to bring the contracts within the means OF
large number of persons
We have no power, according to the decision of the
Supreme Court in the of the Mayor, &C. ads Jo-
seph Brtton and others to mako contract Of per-
mancnt character, and contract extending the
entire city requires preparations to
short apcriod as single year; while contract for
ward could be undertaken by many persons without
any material increase their present facilities for tho
business The division Of the contracts would also
tend to generate salutary competition among the
large who should enter the business both rs to
effcicny and the economy with which it should be
done, and the authority which the alderman and
sistant would have to withhold their signature the
bills on well founded complaint of the neglect Of the
contractors would be calculated to the faithful
performance Of the work. and would bring the respon
sbty for it home to the immediate represe of
those who most observe the neglect and feel its
quence.
The expenditure during the year lS47, for lighting
the streets and public buildings, $162,S15; 3OS9
lamps supplied with gas and 100 with oil The
average cost of supplying oil and Lighting exclusive of
other expenses has been the year past S12 for
each lamp, while for 1916 it was but $40 49, The gas
lights below Grand street 1895 in number which
are furnished by contract at price fixed by the cost
to the city of supplying and lighting the oil lamps and
those above Grand street also furnished by
tract at SIS each From inquiry of persons acquant
could be better lighted by contract and at an annual
saving Of at least thirty thousand dollars year. and
recommend that provision be immediately made for
issuing proposals for furnishing and lighting the oil
lamps by contract.
The Croton aqueduct department, under its present
efficient management, IL in condition Of steadily in
lS47 to the lst of May, 1913 $226551 So being
excess that of the previous year of $32O 900 ~
There are now in use one hundred and seventyfve
miles of water pipes with their and
appendages.
The introduction of the Croton water has attracted
much attention to the construction Of sewers both
the increased necessity which it creates for drainage,
and the increased facility which it gives for adapting
them the health and comfort of our citizens There
in forty miles Of sewers ten Of which have
been built during the past year.
The commission appointed to investigate tho sub
Ject OF sewerage and to prepare detailed and uniform
plan, are, as am informed, nearly ready to report
The condition of the pavcmcnts in our principal
thoroughfres has been the subject Of much complaint
Experiments have made Of various inventions
signed to greater durability and uniformity If
surface but hitherto without except perhaps
n the of the Russ pavement lately introduced
This pavement at the outset to present
and permanent surface. and contract has been
Gently made with the patentce to lay ii down in Broad
way between Chambers and Vescy streets, at Z
pcnsc to the city of about thirty thousan dollars The
streets are underlad by sewers pipes water pipes
and their connections 1t is frequently necessary to
take portions of the pavements in order to establish
connections with these, to repair ret them and
facility and economy in doing ntal and in
case of the bursting Of water pipe would DO impor
tant My observation of this Mt now in process
of construction does not lead to think that this diff
fculty has been obviated by tho provision made for
that purpose IL seems to therefore, most wise not
to extend the experiment at the expense
city until experience shall satisfy us of the durabi-
ty and economy of this kind Of pavement and of its
adaptation to the necessities to which have alluded
Upon enquiring into tho character the contracts
IN the city inspectors office, found considerable
number for hlng up lots in the suburbs Of the city
which appeared to involve large expenditures II Is the
practice Of the Common Council to refer petitions FOR
filling to the city Inspector by whom they
are Investigated fine approves them he ordi
nances for the performance of the work which, with
out notice TO the owners farther examination
passed Contracts are subsequently made, In which
the expense OF the improvements Is assumed by the
city in behalf the owners, and is afterwards collected
from them so large discretion should not be vested
in any Office The practice is liable to abuse, and may
not only involve heavy advances from the city treasu
ry but also subject the owners to unnecessary and OPP
pressive expense recommend, therefore, that ruo
be adopted requiring such ordinances before their pas
sage TO be referred to committee for examination and
report
The great expenses and delays which havcl atten
the legal business of the corporation render it highly
desirable that such ndmcn should be made in the
ordinance relating to 1.-THE counsel shall effcctu-
ally exclude the large claims for extra charges which
have recently been presented and shall ensure greater
in its transaction IL is also desirable
that rooms should be provided for this officer in the
public buildings where he may be conveniently Access
sible to those whom IL is his duty to advise.
Your predecessors having adopted resolution au-
thorizng the comptroller to advertise for proposals to
execute the printing and binding and to furnish the
for both boards Of the Common Council
and Tor the departments Of the city government il
may be reasonably expected that the expense for these
accounts will he hereafter materially diminished.
The title to the property sold for the payment Of
assessments having been declared invalid by recent |