New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-02-15

and liabilities. Concerning ferries, he Turks,
very justly. that they do not yield the revenue
ttat they should do. BE looks upon City
Railroads as g proper source Of large revenue
to tie Tressury-provided they be legally es-
tabIisbed; and points to the opening Of the
secoEd-sv as warning against the schemes OF
spectators who would get a roadway graded
at the expense Of 100000 or more TO the
City. Mr.. F. states that be has felt con-
strained by a sense Of duty to refuse payment
Of extra salaries to the Judges Of the Supreme
Court. The system Of taxation for the sup.
port Of schools il reviewed and Mr.. +. is Of
the opinion that a great wrong was done to this
CITY " By what is called the Free School Sys-
ten of the State" He makes the increase Of
taxation for schools in 1853 over 1916 at
S644.0o0.
The Controller then proceeds to consider
the condition Of the taxpayers in this their
"winter Of discomfort" when the estimated
annual expenditure for 1853 is only $4,000
less than the aggregate annual expenditures
for the ordinary support of Government Of the
tbirty-one States Of the Union, including half
million for Californis. Mr.. Flag scrutinizes
the Charters Of 1880 and lSi9 with reference
to the powers conferred upon the Common
Council, and calls attention TO the 9TH section
Of the present Charter, which declares that
al appropriations of money shall be made
upon specific and detailed statements
made in writing through the Controller
Tie estimates for the present year
be intimates may do, if all departments prac-
tice vatchful economy. There was an appsr-
ent balance in the Treasury on the lst Of
January, of S136,s77 81; but from the Sd of
November to the last Of December, there was
borrowed on Revenue Bonds $1,06O,0O0, Of
which S493, 900 was obtained on the last three
days Of the year. The whole amount is pay
able during 1853. The Controller takes up the
Webster Funeral expenses, which were audi
ted by Committee OF the Common Council,
and paid by the Commissioner of Repairs and
Supplies, in fragrant violation Of the provisions
of the Charter, devolving such duties upon the
Finance Department This Committee audi
ted fifty-seven bills, of which one was $3.50.
for incidental expenses of the Committee"
The money was paid over on the 27thlof De
cember, in all $6,4i7 80. BY these irregulari-
ties the safeguards Of the Treasury are broken
down, the boundaries of the department OBJ
liberated, and established laws outraged. Next
comes the Kossuth Banquet and the resolution
of the Common Council that the Controller pay
the balance of 5000 70 alleged to be due to
Mr. Howard Dir. Flagg will not pay it, IN
lesscompellcd by legal process to do SO. Mr..
+. is Of the opinion that all such expenses for
shows, receptions, refreshments, &c, are, if
not positively lawless, at least beyond any ra-
tional construction Of the Charter AS to the
Tea-Room, the Controller thinks the expendi-
lures have TO iustiiable basis to rest upon
During 1852 there was paid for refresh
ments for the Common Council, 1852 50; for
caTriage-hire for members, $i,267 carriage
hire Of Committees on Streets, &c, $1,107 I;
refreshments for such Committees, $5i7 AZ I;
total, $15,59l 81. In view Of the illegality of
the refresbment bills, Mr. i. refuses to pay any
of them, and so OF carriage-hire not actually
necessary. Ii seems that there was hint of
this given out at the City Hall, since Mr..
Keeper Taylor got in his December bill before
the close of the month, when they were usual
ly full month behind date. The Con-
troler also denounces the refresbment bills
of the Aldermen as Commissioners of Excise.
Mr.. Flaeg points out the effect Of taxation,
and the fallacy that the rich bear the burdens
alone. The poor are especially the victims of
heavy taxation through increased rents.
There are but about $4,000 names on the
tax roll, ard these of course represent the
wealthy classes. They scent the enemy
sfsr off, and long before the heavy hand
Of the tax-collector is felt in their pockets,
they have made all safe by little leyies here and
there upon those in their tenantry or employ.
Heavy taxation does not deprive the rich Of a
singleluxury; 70 those of moderate means it
is felt as burden, while that class OF persons
'no arc assesstu tnfOugn rents iecl IL most
severely, perhaps without being aware of
the cause. The Constroller states that,
"beliyiDg compensation to the Commits
sioners Of the Sinking Fund Illegal, he had
asked for return OF money thus received,
(S5 each per sitting from March, 1917 and
that three had refunded, and one (the late
ContrOller) had not. The report closes with
come comparison of population, valuation and
taxation since lS96. Since ISIS, the pOpula-
ton has increased 2l0 per cent, valuation les
per cent, taxation 740 per cent.
We shall publish this important document
in full Tomorrow