The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-01-12

animals ana has general charxs Of every thing fesn
to the streets which effect their sanitary condition KsR
compensation. Commissioners are appointed for saoh
job, even to "dsclarsn street opened but fss one
century Many these 1907
In fact In person perform no actual duties, and
penaed In proportion to delays produced and money
for other than official service which Of much value
to the city, some Of this class may be called profes
curation Of jobs OF this kind and by getting resolutions
through the Common Council to "open" when there La
no necessity for IT. they are strong in partisan influence
holders to be affected by an improvement when unne
cessary, the power to- prevent is imperative before
them several instances have been recently brought to
my attention, In which their influence over the Com
mon Council has suppressed the voice OF twothrds OF
the parties In interest who had demonstrated against
in the Common Counci until, ali thsy can make ont Of
the job is procured, when they magnanimousy with
draw their opposition and the city must foot the BILL
thing Some OF these persons have streets on
hand at tho same time and make large sums Of money
10 but proper to add, that sometimes there are
missioners who are not comprehended within this dos
cfiption OF them Q class.
Another class useless though not so expensive is
,ss sPpGt to tn. ssss
docks, piers &c. Some OF these people seldom see the
work for which they appointed inspectors and If they
co, they know nothing Of It, do not wish to know,
provided the contractor Is clever fellow. and docs
g what il right
These departments frequently come in conflict with
each other II metmes happens that they are nearly
oil Engaged at the time, upon part Of the
same street 1t often occurs that soon after the paving
Is completed It Is taien up to lay down sewer, Croton
water or gas pipes Each de parmcnt being independent
and sometimes inimcal to the other concert exists
but every its notions proceeds to do what
1t deems best without thinking caring Of expense
public convenience.
1t is no exaggeration to say, that sometimes twenty
in doing at the time that which could be
plished by one man, acting for himself in onetwea-
tie h the time and at onetwentieth the cost.
Each department Is its master ana acts upon its
own volition without consent consultation and not
unequenty strives to thwart the plans Of the Others
OF private business or interest can see without further
comment, the reason why so large sum is expended
The business care concentration, uniformity andregu-
entirely wanting.
creating rresponsibity and negligence is productive
of progacy in xpenditure and ineciency In the per
formaIce OF work. This abuse must be reformed. II
has become too serious to be permitted longer.
The little time which has been lett for nvestiga-
ton consistent with other duties has satisfied that
the whole business should be entirely under the control
Of one department and at least one of the existing de-
partments could be abolished entirely There should
be street department having sole jurisdiction over the
whole subject come part Of the duty could be Advan
tageously given to other departments without detr
ment additional expense
There should be a permanent Board Of Commissioners
instead Of three for each job now which should have
the power appoint surveyors for the whole
rity instead OF one for each work, as now 1t should
be made the duty Of the law officer OF the Corporation
TO give his services without any additional compensa
ton, directly indirectly and II receiving fees, the
amount should be paid into the treasury.
There should be two permanent inspectors for
the whole city provided any 10 required which doubt
instead Of one for each job, as now. The duties
by the present board OF Tax without ad
ditional compensation who have not only sufficient lei
,ns ns lot s ua
their ONCE, by which to facilitate the duty The
collection Of assessments should be made by the receiver
Of taxes
That branch OF the service coming under the head
repairs should be severely scrutinxed and every dollar
accounted for under the stringent rules of
ability, and nothing should be expended except upon
previous appropriation with specific reference to the
object for which the money intended The inconvs
nience and delays which would attend previous apPro
priations upon detailed estimates for small
could be Of little consideration As compared with the
pproaisacy which too often follows in its train.
TAXABLE PROPERTY.
Another matter OF much importance Is the feasibility
Of enlarging the basis upon which TO levy tax The
Board OF fax Commits sioners, organized few years
since has added much the taxable basis Of real and
personal estate. There Is yet room for increase
Notwithstanding the vigilance of these officers and the
very large amount Of personal property
capes, and an undue proportion e consequently put
upon real estate distinction Is thus created entirely
unjust TO real property calculated not only 10 affect t
value but to retard the growth Of the city There is
solid why distinction should be made in the
kind Of value-whether real personal-upon which
levy tax SO long as the principle 81 taxation s up
property, all property should bear alike.
Besides the large amount OF personal estate that
cspes In consequence OF the inability to discover IT,
there immense amounts belonging 10 foreign manu-
fcurers and traders In the hands Of agents resident
here who refuse TO recognize authority TO collect
very large sum thus gets clear.
This foreign property receives all the protection which
the city government affords, In common with that OF
our own people, which pays the expense.
These foreign owners not only enjoy equal privileges
p9opery possess an exemption Which enables tasm to
compete with American labor, and ahordng them ia.
due advantages.
People who pay taxes cannot sell merchandise low
those who pay Means should be taken during
the present session Of the Legislature 70 procure the
passage Of law making the property Of foreign
facturers and others liable TO taxation.
ABOLITION YErs
As further means Of revenue, recommend an APP
pcaton TO the legislature for law which will bring
into the treasury the large received BY the
Register County Clerk, Counsel to the Corporation Cor
poration Attorney and other county officers, who receive
fees al. their own perquisites.
In some instances these sums said TO amount TO
from twenty TO thirty thousand dollars per annum TO
person. Whilst IL Is right that every public officer
should be sufficiently compensated yet there DO
sood reason for permitting few to amass large for
tunes whilst other officials who perform more labor
and more responsible duties paid fth the sum,
and the whole community Is burdened with taxes.
Give liberal salaries; but let all fees 90 70 the
treasury.
Nrnisr TO Bg CHARGED.
further relief may be found in requiring interest on
deposits with the city treasurer and collecting and dis
bursting officers generally. The equity, practcablity
nd importance Of this Is apparent that II
surprises IL has not been adopted large
could be thus derived There to the credit
OF the city In the hands OF the treasurer the 2sth Of
November, 1854 million OF dollars the LIST Of
December, 1854, and half Millions from which
was drawn these dates about half million, leaving
about two millions 10 the credit Of the city Additional
large have since been dra wn wing however
the frst Of January, inst, balance remaining TO the
credit OF the city Of million two hundred aud eighty
three thousand four hundred and seventy four dollars
for which the city, receives no allowance OF interest
whatever
II proper 10 add that frequently that the
city Chamberlain Ii in advance to the city and that dur
ing the last year he advanced fifty to sixty thousand
dollars claims the treasurysf FLOR wAch warrants
could not be giyen--thus offering facilities 10 individuals
having claims who Otherwise would be Obliged 20 wait
the slow process OF legislation, to be paid Just dues
Notwithstanding, however, tbi, accommodating dspos
ton upon the part Of this officer, reason
for conducting the financial affairs Of the city upon any
other principle than that which governs the commercial
intercourse Of individuals.
am satisfied that the approximate the laws