New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-01-03
THE MAYORS MESSAGE.

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GEsrLExEN: In pursuance Of the provisions Of the
charter under which you have been called 70 administer
the Government Of this City proceed to submit for your
consideration such subjects a. in my Judgment demand
your attention The year just closed has been fruitful in
events Of vast importance as connected Win our man,e
nunty, need not dwell upon them In communication OF
this character.
City in accordance with the provisions of charter which
has been accepted and adopted by great majority OF our
fellow citizens.
and powers instrument Of vost importance in every
point Of view and, security 10 life and property is
most surely upheld by the permanency Of the law. by
which communities governed so that charter from
which all powers and rights originally derived should
never be subjected to alteration amendments, except
under circumstances Of the most imperous necessity Be
lievng this crnnot deprecae the practice which has
grown Of late years Of applying almost annually
the Legislature Of the State for amendments to the char
ter whose necessity urged to meet special emergencies
or alleged exigencies We governed by portions
Of four distinct charters and although their various
visions do not absolutely conflict with each other cannot
but feel that complete organization Of munich
pei affairs would have been better secured by com
pleie and perfect instrument.
Various State laws are also in operation, affecting the
internal regulations Of City which, in my Judgment
could have been carried successfully into operation by
the action of the municipal authorities without the inter
vention of the Legislature. This disposition Of late years
in our Charter well existing State laws affecting our
municipal organization is in my opinion perncious in its
tendency and derogaoy to the dignity and character oil
our City.
Originally possessing powers ample for all possible CON
tiDgences and fully adequate to meet the demands OF m
ncpal government powers conferred on US as CITY and
guaranteed as 10 their permanently and efficiency by the
Constitution of our State and which rendered us actually
independent of legislative interference we have permitted
ourselves be subjected to the control OF the state au
boritjes until although stand first among the cities Of
the Union have in truth few powers, and as few
rights the least Of tbem and the legislative action OF
each year takes from US some powers aud dves us some
il cannot be expected that the Legislators uniformed
by observation as TO the actual wants Of City and
ACQUAINTED with its actual resources egsate always
for our best interests and that public interests and public
good are often made ubservent to private interests and
private ends is abundanty demonstrated by our expert
ence. -
suggest therefore, gentlemen, that you all the
existing provisions Of the various Charters in operation to
be coated and compiled in one volume as well as the va
rious laws formed by the Legislature affecting our City
They will be found abundant for the protection OF life and
the prevention Of frauds and the successful
of our local affairs Let the Ordinances
also be revised and framed to conform to all the
quremens Of the Charters and with proper laws properly
administered, need not exhibit again the humliatng
rectacle Of City like New York, virtually admitting its
Inability conduct its municipal af"irs without the
interference of the legislative authorities.
You are called on gentlemen to administer the govern
Mt of this city under circumstances calculated to i'm
press you with adeep of your responsibility and the
conviction that you will be held to rigid accountability
by your constituents The interests commted 10 you are
vast and important represent constituency exceed
by few in the world in point of numbers by in in
teligence and prompnes to appreciate fidelity to public
trust or to discover and denounce abuses of their conf
dence Much has been confded to you-much will be
pected from you and in you surely meet the
requirements of your constituents by harmony of pur
pose and unity Of action with reference to affect
ing the peace order comfort and well icing of the
community.
The financial condition of City regards the esti
mated receipts and expenditures for the current year has
beer so recently and lucdy set forth by the Controller in
presenting his annual estimates fer appropriations need
not dwell upon it, but submit concise statement of our
indebtedness and the extent OF orr reiource as prepared
up 10 the 3Oth ultimo.
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