The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-01-05
The Last session of the Common cou rel.

During the whole OF last month, with the excep-
tion only Of few days, the Board Of Aldermen
were engaged in dschargng the arduous duties
incumbent upon that body. IL would be natu.
Tal TO expect that in the Of such long and
prouscted session, vast amount of business was
transacted, and that the venerable city fathers
may, without scrupulosity or conjunction, lay
clam TO the rather ndulgent remuneration guaran-
teed them by the city government for their vala-
able services. But we are sorry in being COMPEL
ed 10 contradict this impression, by the statement
that such was far from being the Upen insti-
tu,irg inquiry into the amosnt Of business trans
acted by the Board Of Aldermen during the las.
session, we find that very little done, and
that the action Of that body upon the few sub
iects Of importance which were submitted 10 their
consideration, proved 10 b. in direct opposition
q he interests of the city and 20 the wishes OF the
community. II we examine into the manner in
which they conducted their proceedings, we find
that the greater part Of their time was invariably
Consumed in idle ons-if they may be termed
such-upon points Of reference, and other traing
matters OF a similar character. The city IA here,
the iud manifested but litle regard for the
Prosperity Of The metropolis and the wishes OF its
ci,Izens, while the other they gave evidence OF
instructive disposition 10 frame and ranfy highly
profitable and lucrative contracts with monopolists
oftvery description, who, in consequence thereof,
fasten and become rich upon the distress and OF
preston Of the community at large
The fret subject in Importance, which came up
before he Board Of Aldermen during the last
sion, was undoubtedly the report Of the special
committee Of that board, to whom several petit
lions referred ia relation 10 the gas supplied
b. the present gas light companies, and praying
the Common Council for the formation Of public
gas department, for supplying the public lamps and
buildings, and also the citizens, with Gas. An
nexed 10 this report were also the stpulatioHs of
a contract for the space Of eighteen years, 70
h. entered into between the city government and
the New York Gas Light Company, together with
a resolution directing the same TO be carried tnto
effect. In consideration Of the great importance
OF this subject, and in view Of the intense interest
and excitement which II created throughout the
Guy, il would have been but common policy on
the part Of the Common Council, 10 have displayed
more faaseity and deliberaton than they have
done in disposing Of this document-to have made
at least some allowance for the adoption Of suniry
amendments, that might have been offered, and
not to have burned > passage with such indecent
haste, 20 unbscomirg the paramount importance
az the subject, a. has been The case. Asi was
hhLded ~ ~ lht hFtCal CVHlihttts ~ came btlOtc
the hoard, and, despite the numerous petitions,
sgned by thousands q our most respectable citi-
rens-dtspte the serious nature Of their com 1ai1ts
despite the frequent violation Of the provisions Of
The existing contract the part of The present gls
monopoly-dsspite The eKorbitant prices they extort
from the gss consuming portion of The community
despite The abundant evidence Of the bad quality
ard insufficient supplyo gas, which has been and s
.ull furnished BY that company-dsspite all these
Wtighiy considerations, the report was passed ~
IN overwhelming sjouty, ia the course q "a
hour or 60 together with tn adoption Of the resol-
uon, without either alteration or amendment. IL
sfew houratte ne " contract with The oil gas con.
parry, for III period ~ eighteen year,, vas sealed
and rau6ed, and ii connection with the Interests
EEd welfare = ~ people for that long space of
tine This oct q the Common Council must
jsety h. sti4matizei ss 4 scAndalous and infamous
p-oceedbg-a Hsgrai insult uoon the discrim
i.lurg sense ~ The conm0ni't-an a'rocious
Oh rage upoa he interests and welfare a. the city,
snd viii only serve % tmpaft ~ additional iustfr 10
the ro. very envi bic reputation which that vensr-
able body have acquired ~ series n similar
and incor sis.ent transactions. GotT,thsnadag
the tsessgc fthe report, however. and ~ cll
Frmafion ~ the new contract ~ the Comn3a
Council. Il will have been observed Nth general
,stisfsction, tha' Ais Hoaos, ne ias Mayor e.
turned the resol r0ion, and thereby vetoed the
action ~ both boards.
The second important ell ,ect submitted fof lie
action q the Board u Aldermen. was he reaor of
he CcmmitsGc ~ Fefriss, = commencing that .ae