The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-05-10
Total means for city government expen


OF which there was expended and paid
out between Jan. LIST and the 9th inst. ,5S4 ~
Leaving for expenditure during tho re-
mainder OF the year, and to meet ex-
isting contract and liabilities. $l,l77,S65 o.
This amount will not be sufficient to cover expend
lures and liabilities which will accrue during the res
due Of the year. and unless economical system
Of Management be introduced In tho several depart
ments and contracts already authorised be suspend
ed, a very large deficiency must necessarily eusue.
The sum appropriated for Aims house" for the pre-
sent year IL less by S55466 GO than the actual expen
dture oflast year while the OF this depart
ment from the st of January last to the present time
exceed those of last year. during the same period In
streets for this wear is $4,000 less than the actual
expenditure Of l847 while the expenditures OF the pre-
sent to May O. have been % larger tnaii
those Of the corresponding period Of last year dhe
amount appropriated for wharves and piers $S2
OOO of which the of 81 1888 has been expended and
contracts have been entered into involving an add
tional expenditure of $67 800 making together the
of $652l3 within $l87S7 Of the amount appro-
priated for this account for the entire year Resou
tons have been passed by the Common Council for
building and extending other piers estimated to cott
sal 0O0 which, Of course il carried into effect would
overrun the appropriation for the year the sum OF
The excess Of expenditure these accounts tho
means provided will be increased by the cost OF the
ed and doubtless by exccsses in other accounts and
other expenses for which provision has been made
while 1t hardly be anticipated that any saving will
be made to countcrbaancc to any considerable extent
the large debt which will be thus created,
The estimates for the amount Of the taxes necessary
to be laid derived from the heads of the several de-
partments, and submitted to and revised by the Com
Council before the application to the Legislature
for authority to assess them Is made. II these cst
mates be made with proper care, the expenditures
should not exceed themexccp in cases of an eXtraor
estimates too frequently disrcgarded and debt is
consequently incurred. Convinced that tendency
to mprovidence-at all times sufficiently great-has
been much strengthened by this practice shall feel
it my duty to withhold my approval from any measure
calling for appropriation which shall exceed the
Inmates unless sudden or peculiar emergencies shall
rende n ri nj O
The large and increasing burden which the aims
house department imposes on our citizens rcnders it
incumbent you to institute rigid inquiry into its
affairs, with view to improving Its administration
The expenses Of this department, exclusive
of salaries for tho year 1845, were $26067S ~
The receipts from all sources go. 30,G97 90
Net expenses exclusive of salaries. -. $23S, $50 so
The salaries Of Department amounted to-. 40,369 81
Leaving the net expenses for 1S45. g. $270.349 81
of salaries for year 1916. were 800. $2oo3l3 II
The receipts from all sources were. 49,. Al, 022 %
Net expense, exclusive Of salaries. $249,2O1 81
The salaries Of Department amounted to-. 52723 S.
Leaving the net expenses for 1916 :. $3O2O15 40
The expenses of tho Department for the
year lS47 exclusive Of salaries, $356,4 CD
The receipts from all sources 37,74S 90
Net expense, exclusive of salaries $als,717 OIL
The salaries Of Department amounted to-. 60,963 Az
Leaving the net expense for I847. $3796S1 81
Tho increase of expenditures for the year past Is
$1,000 1t has been occasioned in part by an increase
Of the number Of persons supported, and eight cent,
additional each week in the cost of their support
and in part by large increase in expenditure for
outdoor poor. In report furnished me by the com
missioner OF the department, it is stated that the
amount distributed for this purpose within the year
year previous and also that such temporary relief was
afforded during January and February of this to
PERSONS or about one ninth Of the whole popua
ton Of this city The system Of distribution to out
door IL not founded false principle Is
extremely liable abuse that in all probability it will
become ultimately impractcablc II may well be doubt
ed whether the government can safely undertake to
grant relief to persons at their houses ut any
other place thar the public institutions impossible
it to dene and limit the in which assistance shall
be granted--and dlfhcult is it to prevent public
charity which not subject to any Of the restraints
becoming stupendous abuse creating extravagant
penditure the part of the government aud sordng
to the indolent incentives to idlcness and beggsry
The arbitrary discretion Of an individual dispensing
money not his exposed to arts which may mislead.
and to solicitations which counteracted by feel
ing of interest or of practical responsibility and
subjected to the influence of those who may seek popu
larity through the dspensation of the public bounty
cannot be safe depository of such power 1t seems
thorough investigation, with view to change of the
system effectual reform of its administration.
Another though smaller source Of the increased
penditurcs Of this department, may DO found in tho
fact that while tho inmates of the pentcnt have
been reduced from 1889 in 1S45 to 762 in 1S4 the
number Of officers have been retained, with salaries
and allowances increased from $l3147 IS in lS45 to
1895 in 1S47. 1t is probable that examination,
other instances of similar unnecessary expenditure
would be discovered
The large annual cost of this department may also,
In some measure be attributed to the want of atten
ton on tho part Of some Of the officers, and
quent relaxation of discipline. During recent visit
to the public institutions ! observed neficicncy
in the management Of the penitentiary; that con
siderable number of persons Of both entire
ly unemployed grounds were neglected-and
preparations for tilng them observable Basket
making which had been introduced at the instance of
the commissioner for the purpose of giving employ
ment to the inmates. had been abandoned, as was
informed in consequence Of the want OF efficient
operation the part Of the keeper Of that iusttu-
ton.
Tho aims house proper and nursery being in process
Of removal to1the buildings Blackwcll's and
Randalls island, opportunity afforded of form
ing n correct judgment Of their condition,
Tho two buildings and chapels authorized by for
administration to be erected Blackwclls
island for the accommodation of the aims house pro-
per- have been completed. An addition has likewise
been made to the lunatc asylum, which, with the
mad house, nearly finished, will furnish ample
room for this class of unfortunate persons who may
become charge upon the city.
The plan for tho aims house originally pro-
0tcd fho In ckxvo anil