The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-12-31

Boston, Dec. %, 1854.
City Affairs Local Debt-1He City's Means
City Lands-1ppropriat,o for the Library
Building Commission Reduction Of Work and
Of Wages at the Many Yard-Run on the SaU,ngs
Banks-Mr. Banks's Speech Political Afais-
The Counciilors-New Hampshire, &c.
As the year draws to its close, the action of our
city government in closing up matters, becomes in
terestiDg. A report on the city debt presented
in the Common C,uncil on the evening Of the 21st,
from which it appears that the amount OF the con-
solidated debt on tie 10th Of December, 1853, was
$7.e43,712 n; present amount, $7,G2Sl 42 80; re-
duction, s21557O As. OF the debt, S. ,261 IL
are on account of Cochituate water. Ths amount
na5able on tie city debt, April 80, 1855, will be
s467 COO; on water Grbt, $50 800. The amount Of
mesns on hand at this date, in cash and bonds and
mortgages, is 1924 COZ 67.
The subject of the sale Of Faneuil Hall Market
reported upon by the committee to which 1t had
been referred, they Recommending its reference to
the next City Council, which was accepted. II will
be very good thing for the new government to
quarrel over.
The Land COMMISSIONER Report vas made on the
same evening and shows that the value of the land
sold during 1854, thus far, is SOS, 1872 60; expendi
lures, So 085 IA; amount OF land unsoId, 77OS,O76
square feet, BESIDE $4,000 feet outside of the line
Of solid filling Of fats In South Boston, During che
lost six years the amount Of land sold Il 1864 1926
square feet for which was received the sum Of $64l
S2l g.. The Report of the Superintendent sho Es
that in 1854 TIE number Of square feet sold at the
south end was 154.674.
In company with q communication from Mr.. Win.
throp, the President Of the Board Of Commission.
ers appointed to superintend the erection of the
Public Library building, and relating to procuring
plans and estimates an order was presented in the
Common Council, at its last meeting, authorizing
the withdrawal sf $1,000 from the reserved fund,
and placing the same in the hands of the Auditor,
to be at the disposal of the Commisti ,ners; and
the order was adopted. Mr.. II. N. Hooper has de-
clIed to serve on the commission.
Some Of our large establishments are closing up
their business, or reducing its extent materially,
the effect of which i'll be to throw out of employ
ment quite number Of men, and so increase tie
suffering that ali eady IL great. The present win
ter is said 70 be the severest one known in Boston
curing this generation, 80 far as suffering from
poverty is concerned.
Weges are to be reduced at our navy yard abaut
ten per cent. or little more. No reduction Of the
salaiies Of office holders has been mentioned.
The run on our savings Institutions has bsen
quite severe, though the opinion is conf
dertly expressed that no great harm will folloH
t. e,efrs m. Moet people think however. that these
Institutions are altogether too loosely conducted
sLd tplt tsey should be inside tae objects of search
isg legislation. They srs allowed 70 accumulate too
lag capitals and are rot sufficiently careful in their
NOES OF msking Investments. One OF them has
Eve millions Of dollars, about seventh part OF
which great rum Is loaned to . bank that II
! OF considered TO be OF the first class Of mo-
Keyed institutions Then there is great deal Of IA
voriitm shown in making investments, and the
msr ayers of the institution are fixtures, remain.
ing long in Off ce; aud what happens from tina. the
9 uftry has had some reason to know Ia our time,
and hst purchased the not over agreeable know
k6ge st most ty oImous figure.
In 1862, Mr.. Crccker, then Sheriff of Suffolk,
seized qusntisy OF liquor, for which he was sued
by Tie owner for damages. Mr.. Croker petitioned
tie Governor and Council that person Nigh. bs
committee Of the Council TO whom the subject wss
referred, reported adversely to his prayer. The
case is ssill pending in tie Supreme Court. This
Is one Of the nsny evils that have co ne from the
fsnsiicism OF The friends of the Maine law, who
would rot listen to reason when tina. statute was
before the Legislature. When it was under discus
sion IN the Senate an amendment was offered by
one of its opponents to protect officers against such
prosecutions Mr.. CYocker has been subjected to;
but It was voted doEn, for the the avowed reason
that IT cane FRI m an enemy.
There 10 nothing to make special note Of In the
political world Of a reliable character. We have all
kinds Of stories Of quarrek ami dissensions in the
Ameli an perry; but a. they are got up In some
cases, people are beginning TO discredt even those
which are well founded. The CLOTHES line" tele-
graph 10 much more amusing than reliable. The
difficulties amor the victors the subject Of coun
cllors are reported to have somewhat abated. Mr.
Brown, Lieutenant Governor elect, Is ssd to favor
the election of Mr.. Nelson, Of WQburn, from the
Middesex district; but should suppose that Mr..
Nelson, IL desirous Of office. would strike higher,
ard 90 in for the Attorney Gsneralship. Perhaps,
however, Governor Gardner does not intend 70 ~
move M. Clifford, but will initiate Gov. Boutwell,,
Who kept that gentleman IN Office during bis own
two years Of service. Mr. Clifford cannot b more
Opposed 10 ~ AUesieaA party than h was 70 the
ienncxn6y: and = ~ onti1GmoHQoic sentiment