New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-01-07
COMMON CoUNCnPROCEEDINGS.
stn,ed session of the Board Of Aldermen,

stnted session Of the Board Oh Aoermcn,
Jan 1851 Under The Amended Charter sheh Passed TIE
IeoisLa uye Of this State, April lS4S lOTFIcIAL'
Present-MORGAS NoRGAEs, Esq, Presidents
Aid Griffin, Dodge, Oakley, Chapman, Kelly Smith, Ball.
Haws Miller, Shaw, Cook, Bard, Bnuon, DelamaIer
Franklin, Conckin.
The minutes were being read when Aid Franklin moved
that the further reading Of the be dispensed with for
ri, Honor The MAYOR. C. g. Woodhnll appeared, in
company with the Mayor elect Hon. Ambrose G. Kings
land and stated that his Of Office being about 10 ex
pire he wOud proceed TO administer the oath OF odce
20 the Mayor elect
he then proceeded administer the oath OF Office 70 AID
Oscar w. Siurtevant Of the Third Ward and William A.
qualified, took their seats
The reading Of the minutes was then resumed and the
AID Haws moved that Committee Of three be appoint
ed TO upon his Honor the Mayor and inform him that
ihs 3osrd in session and ready to receive any COM
nunicaion from him, whcb was carried.
Whereupon The President appointed Aid. Haws, Smith
and Kelly such Committee.
AID Franklin moved that Committee OF three be sp-
pointed to inform the Board Of Assistant Aldermen that
this Board In session. which was carried and the Pre-
sdent appointed AID Franklin, Conckhn and Cook such
COMMITTEE
The Committee appointed wait upon his Honor, the
Mayor reported that they had performed the duty assigned
them, and that the Mayor would transmit
municson TO the Board which accepted and the Com
The Comniee appointed to wait upon the Board fAs-
sssnt Aldermen reported that they had performed said
duty which accepted and the Committee discharged.
message received from hls Honor, the Mayor.
suspend the further reading thereof that 1000 copies
be printed, which was carried
MAYORS OFFIcs, Jan. 6. 1851
Of the city Of Nslo- YORK.;
GRETLEMEN: Deeply impressed with sense
of the high honor conferred upon me by my fellow
citizens in calling me to the post OF Chief Magis-
trate this great City, approach the duties cares
and responsibilities which it devolves upon me,
with a diaidence becoming my inexperience.
Relying however, upon the indulgence of my
fellowcitizens, FOR those errors OF judgment from
which cannot expect exemption, l enter upon the
duties OF my station with q firm determination to
administer the affairs of the City Government so
far as my powers extend; with a single eye to the
comfort and welfare of the entire community, and
an earnest desire to advance the prosperity OF the
City, with whose interests have been identified
from nay birth.
II is made the duty of the Mayor to communi.
cate, at least once in each year, and otener if he
shall deem it expedient, general statement of
the situation and condition OF the City in relation
20 its government finances and improvements.
l cannot claim (nOr will IL be expected that
should possessl that familiarity with the various
departments, their organization, operation, &c.
which would enable 70 devote to each that
space in a communication Of this nature which
their merits or Importance might seem TO demand
aAd this is rendered partially unnecessary by the
provisions OF the ordinances organizing the various
departments under the amended charter, which
REQUIRE that the head of each department shall
present to the Common Council at the commence
ment Of each stated session, statement OF the
condition ard operations Of his department.
In accordance with this requirement, the reports
OF the heads of the various departments OF the
City Government will be presented to your Ho-
norabe Body at early period of your present
session and shall hereafter If circumstances
demand, communicate specially to you on such
topics embraced in those reports, as may in my
Judgment require your consideration.
invite your attention 10 the subjects which
have presented themselves to my mind as worthy
of your special notice. and l do so in the convic-
ton that, although the suggestions / may offer,
may not meet your entire concurrence, the motives
which influence me in presenting them will be
duly appreciated.
find, in looking over the estimates of sppro.
pratons TO be provided for the current year, that,
OF the total amount to be raised by tax, S2,Ss7,-
597, no less than the sum Of O. 44l 900 Is for the
support of three Departments, viz Police, School
and Aims house; and over the two latter the Cor
poration Of the City of New. York has no control
whatever, but is compelled by the laws OF the
State to raise by taxation whatever sums the or
CARNATIONS controlling them may see tit to re-
quire. | trust that the amount demanded for
School purposes 1881 000l will have the effect of
directing to this subject the attention Of those who
contribute this sum; and, unless action is had
with reference to placing In the municipal authorl.
ties some control over the expenses of this insti
tuition, they will increase from year to year, until,
in the end there may be revulsiOn of feeling
against an organization so enormously expensive,
which may result in serious injury TO the noblest
cause that ever commanded the attention of phi
lanthropists, viz that of Universal Education
gladly record smy acquiescence with the sentl-
ment. thatth best safeguard for the perpetuaton
of our Republican institutions and character, is to
be found in the diffusion acknowledge throughout
the length and breadth of our land I; bat unless
some check is placed upon the expenditures for
this purpose the time will come when that which
ought TO be considered a boon, contrved ia wis
dom and granted by philanthropy, win be with
held from those who most need it.
IL viii be seen that the amount 70 be raised by
tax for 1851 exceeds that Of 1850 by S6l4,30s IS
but OF this amount $4,000 is for School purposes,
over the amount raised for the same object in 1850,
while the sum ofSl75000 is required to meet the
deficiency OF tax for the last year. But this in
crease IN the amount to be raised is actual di.
mnuI'on IN the rate Of taxation and this has
been effected partly by the operation Of the Tax
Commissioners, whose services have been OF the
most important character, and in part by the in
creased valuation OF real and personal property ia
fhe City.
In the report presented by toe Tax Commits
sioners, November. lS49, they point out with
great clearness and force the numerous errors
which have crept into our system Of taxation; and
II is to their efforts owe the addition OF about
seventeen millions Of dollars 10 the taxable pro-
perry OF this City
The inquiries commenced by these gentlemen
have been prosecuted with commendable zeal aud
perseverance,, and will, have reason 20 believe,
result In further and substantial benefit to the
City.
With sn earnest recommendation for the exer-
else OF the most stringest economy in every De-
partment OF the City Govern ment, carefully avoid
ing all unnecessary and experimental expendi'
lures, leave the subject Of the finances Of the
City to the wisdom, prudence and discretion OF
your Honorable Body, believing that the strong.
est argument can offer in favor OF all measures
retrenchnent and reform" will be found in the
annexed statement Of the indebtedness Of the
City, which has been furnished 70 nue. BY the Con
sr0Leg