New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-01-04

4
GrsrIrsEs: In pursuance Of the provisions Of the
charter under which you have been called to administer
the Government of this City, proceed 10 submit for your
consideration such subjects as in my judgment demand
your attention The year just closed has been fruitful in
events Of vast importance, connected with munich
pal affairs events familiar to every class Of the com
muny. seed not dwell upon them in communication Of
this character. .
You are now Organized as the Common Council OF this
City, in accordance with the provisions of achaer which
has been accepted and adopted by great majority OF our
To City ike New York the charter defining its rights
and powers instrument OF vast importance in every
point Of view snd a. security 20 NE ana PsoPsry Us
which communities governed so that charter from
which all powers and rights originally derived should
be subjected to alter ion or emsndments except
evng hs cannot but deprecate the practice which has
grown into of late years of applying almost annually
10 the Legislature of the State for amendments to the char
ter whose necessity urged to meet special emergenciss
or alleged e1igences We governed by portions
of four distinct charters and although their various pro
visions do not absolutely conflict with each other cannot
but feel that more complete organization of munich
pal affairs would have been better secured by one com
pete and perfect instrument.
Various State laws alson operation, affecting the
internal regulations Of City, which in my Judgment
could have been carried successfully into operation oy
the action Of ne municipal authorities without the inter
vention Of the Legislature This disposition of late years
10 apply to the Legislature for amendments and alterations
in our Charter wen existing State laws affecting our
municipal organization is in my opinion, perncous IN t
our City.
Originally possessing powers ample for all possible con
tingences and fully adequate to meet the dem OF ma
ncipal government powers conferred on US as CITY and
as TO their pormanency and efficiency by the
Constitution Of State and which rendered us actually
independe ut of legislative interference have permitted
10 be Subjected to tho control of the State
thors until, although stand first among the cities OF
the Union have, in TRUTH as few powers ana rs lew
rights as the least Of them and the legislative action OF
each year takes from poweEs and divess us OF
rights. 8,
II cannot be expected that the Legislators uniformed
by observation as 10 the actual wants OF our CITY, AMI IN
with its actual resources, egsate always
for best interests and that public interests and puoc
good are made subservent to private interests ana
private ends, Is abundanty demohsateo W our oAPei
nd,
| suggest therefore, gentlemen, that you cause athe
existing provisions of the various Charters IN operation 70
be coIlaed and compiled in volume well as the va
rious laws formed by the Legislature affecting our CITY,
Tley will be found abundant for the protection Of life and
properyfor the prevention OF frauds ana inc successful
az mis ation OF our local affairs Let the Ordinances
ao he revived and framed as to conform 10 all the re-
quirtments Of the Charters and with proper laws properly
administered we need not exhibit again the Illuminating
sreetaoe Of City like New York, virtually admitting its
inability 20 conduct its municipal AFFAIRS without e
interfer, nee Of the legislative authorities
You are called gentlemen TO administer ne govern
mept OF ills cty uIder circumstances calculated to i'm
Press you with adeep Of your responsibility and the
yction tia you will he held to rigid accountability
by your nsttuenis The interests committed to you are
vast and mportsp you represent constituency exceied
by lew in The world in point of numbers by none in in
tenerpce and rIomIness to appreciate fidelity to public
trust or 10 discover and denOunce abuses OF their conn
denoe Much has been eonfded to you-much will De eI'
pected FRI you ard in way you 30 surely meet the
Requirements OF your constituents by harmony Of pur
pose and unity Of action with reference to measures AFFECT
he the peace order comfort and general well being Of the
community.
The fnano ia condition of City, regards the est
mated receipts ard expenditures the current year. has
been go recently ucidy set forth by the Controller in
presenting his annual estimates Tor appropriations need
not DIV ell upon it, but submit concise statement OF our
Indebtedness spd the extent OF our resources as prepared
up to the seth nltimo