The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-03-05

how t1s number Of psksons supported In tbe do.
psr.nent, and the report for 1851 Is NOT yet pub
sked, but the figures are made mp from Tho monthly
returns. 1t s rather difficult 10 dsc pher the mean
iug Of the monthly and annual yaports; and IL the
object Of publishing them ~ TO give the tag payers
light, they ought 10 be . Kttle more explicit and
more Ineligible. Pe.haps few observations on
the foregoing tables might tend somewhat to eluoi
date them.
In lSi3 and 1914, the Almshouse was under the
government Of five commissioners appointed by
the Common Council. In 1915, 1916, 1917 and
lS4S, IL was under the control Of q commissioner
elected by tho people, in 1919, 1850 and 1851, un.
der the management Of Ten Governors appointed |
BIZ the Legislature. With regard to tho numbers
supported in the institution, it may be observed
that from 1885, to May, 1917, there was great In
aux of foreign poor. In May, 1877, the Commits
sioners of Emigration commenced their operations,
and relieved the Almshouse Of tho pressure upon
it from that quarter In the cost of the establish.
ment for lSl3 is included between 3d. 600 and 900
for bills created several years previous, and for the
feundstion of q new hospital, commenced on Black
Wells leland in that year. From the year 1913
officers have not been entitled to the living of the
house Previous to that time marketing was done
for the officers, because they were entitled 10 their
board; yet now, when they not entitled to it, the
market bill is continued. Brandy is reported
only for hospital use in 1913 it cost $685.
IA 1851, under the era Of temperance and the Ten
Governors, $4,267. That funny item called "re-
freshments" which for the last year cost 81 ,S2S is
inexplicable, except for the feastpg of the Cover
noIs and their friends "Tobacco' was formerly
furni:hed for the lunatics, and few old and indus
trous persons. The number of pients appears to
havo greatly increased. For rum, tobacco, and
refreshments, the enormous sum of 1874 in one
year "Cleaning and repairs were formerly done
By the inmates, except for the lower Office ut the
Hall "Furniture' was not allowed when the Off
GERS had their board. Strange to say, now, when
they are not entitled to board they get furniture at
the expense o. the city. Miscellaneo Gus, or sum
dries" were not allowed from l845 up to 1885, but
now they are made convenient item to cover extra
vsgance, or something worse. Paying of paupers
in the workhouse'' is an item worse than useless,
and admitted by the warden OF the workheuse, in
the report for 1850 not to have worked wel yet it
is continued The item for m echanios,'' for 1851,
is enormous-$2s,7 60 /; and, strange enough, there
is another large item for masons," who have
been always considered mechanics "Plumbing,"
which is not included in repairs, appears to have
been gone into very extensively. g Stationery
costs three times as much under the "Ten Cover
nors," as under the former management. The
ual cost Of "dry goods shows the necessity of
having two dry goods merchants on the supply
committee. To cap the climax, the Ten Cover
nors have drawn from the Comptroller, in 1881,
the>huse item Of $50 900 for repairs. They de-
mand for 1852 the sum of $4,000 Arc they not
perverting the meaning and the spirit Of tho law!
As an instance Of the way in which the people are
made to pay the piper for the music Of the Ten
Governors, wo may mention one fact that We have
heard upon good authority, and which let's in ray
OF light upon tho darkness certain article was
purchased at the rate Of ten cents the bill was
made out for twelve and arhalf cents, and paid.
What became Of the difference between . dime and
shilling! We learn further, that the Prison Asso-
citation are entirely dissatisfied with tho way in
which the Ten Governors manage our city pri-
sons; and probably some facts relating thereto will
shortly come before the public that will somewhat
| astonish them.
What is tie cause of all this proAigacy and mis-.
management-this increased burthen of taxation
| upen the people through the Almshouse Depart
nent! It is because it is removed from the control
ofthe Common Council, and consequently from the
control of the people. The Ten Governors are not
responsible, and they hold their meetings in secret
The chances Of corruption are thus increased and
multiplied; ard the simple remedy is to break up
the unconstitutional despotism, and bring back the
| Almshouse to the supervision and control Of the
people aud their press. The Same observation ap-
| plies to the Com mssioners Of Emigration and the
Board of Education. These separate org anil atons
ought to be al abolished, and the institution
placed under the care Of the city government.
Here are real practical objects for reformers and
| phanthropists, instead of the visionary, Utopian
| schemes OF the Holy Alliance.
THE HIGHER CopE-JUDGE EDMoNDs AND JUDGE
ACCOMPLISHMENTS ON THE BENcH-Our
law reporter gave readers, the other day, some
account of very curious difference in legal opu-
| ion between Judge Edmonds and Judge Roosevelt,
the particulars of which it is unnecessary to emu
mera.e Judge Edmonds, it seems, overruled q de-
cision Of Judge Roosevelt, who alters wards over
ruled the overruling decision, and now tho matter
10 to be determined by the whole Bench to morrow
morning The opinions and decisions on that occa-
sion will be interesting.
Judge Roosevelt, 1t seems, is only guided in his
conduct by the old decisions or the new code; but
it is intimated of late among the lawyers, that the
wonderful developement, called the "Rochester
knockiDgs," has introduced newer code"-yes,
even o higher code'-by which, in doubtful cases,
all the ancient awgivers, from Moses and Jussinan
down to the late Dicky Riker, with the DID, amiabe
smile on his face, can be knocked up from the
depths Of eternity, or knocked down from the
heights Of infnitudo, and made to give their opin-
lens en- every doubtful Of litigation now pend
ing before the judicial courts of this city. The
Hon. William H. Seward was the first great man to
discover the "higher law in politics and public
affairs; but who has discovered the "higher code"
in law! We shall have to appeal to Chevalier
Greeley and the Rochester Knockers to get the i'm
rortant information, and communicate tho mighty
intelligence to the present astounding existing ago
bar in this city The "newer CODE" or r tho
higher ccde," will knock up all other codes and
c)diiera.