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

prevent this responsibility becoming nugatory,
ample means should be provided by the act for
his Indictment, just as there are for the Presi-
dents impeachment. Then the city would be
properly governed. As it is, we have reason to
be grateful to Mr. Wood for the attempt he is
making to govern, in spite of the absurdities of
the charter.
The New Mayors First Annual Message.
Mayo Wood has entered upon the duties of
his responsible Office with an eye to business
His first annual message to the Common C0un-
Gil is before our readers. The style Of the
document win be regarded as extremely con-
temptible by young collegians; but in the esti.
nation Of our utilisarian, matter-of-fact fellow
citizens, it will be looked upon in an entirely
different light. 1t is q business paper, full Of
facts, figures and suggestions, striking straight
home to the interests of our Corporation, the
web being Of our great and increasing city,
and the pockets Of our tax paying people.
From this message it appears that the actual
amount of the permanent city debt has been
reduced $460,246 since January of last year;
and that the total amount of the funded debt
on the first day Of the present year was
$l,l64,000, which is an incre Use, as compared
with the amount of debt of January 2, 1854, of
100000. The amount raised by taxa
ton in the city, in 1854, was $4,s45, 1856 OF,
and the amount demanded for the pre-
sent year is $5,918,593 25, being only
the moderate advance in onr city ex-
penses and liabilities of $l,073,207 l8. The
Mayor bluntly remarks, concerning this item,
that the expenditures have gradually and
steadily increased, though it is well known that
the character OF our government has deteri-
Grated" Perfectly true; aud the deterioration
has advanced pari passu with the corruptiOns,
log rolling jobs, extrav agances, and reckless
wastefulness and negligence which have thus
steadily, from year to year, enlarged our bills
Of taxation. The Mayor says the people of
the city cannot realize that the real necessities
Of the Corporation require such large amounts
of money as are annually expended. Nor does
he believe it himself, which is good thing,
especially when followed up with the sugges-
tion that "close scrutiny Of the various items
composing the account Of the disbursing officers
will show that it is the undue, unnecessary,
extraordinary outlsys, without sufficient equi-
valent, that have swollen our taxes to their
present enormous amount" No doubt of 1t.
But the close scrutiny" Are we to have
it? Will the Common Council grant it?
Doubtful. We fear that this " close scrutiny"
will end with the reading of the Mayors mes
sage. Still, we shall watch them, and do what
we can to aid the Mayor at q very "close
scrutiny" Of the disbursements Of the peoples
taxes. We entirely agree with Mr.. Wood, that
the smallest items of the tea room should be
guarded as sacredly as the largest specializing
contract. The step from box of segars and
basket Of wine to haul of q few hundred
Thousands, in log-rOlling job, is very natural
and easy.
The Mayor suggests various reforms in the
Street Department and in the City Inspectors
department, well worthy Of consideration. His
recommendations regarding taxable property,
the abolition of fees Of Corporation officers, the
charging of interest on deposits of the public
funds, az also his suggestion concerning the es-
Inmates and appropriations, the suspended
sales for taxes and assessments, contracts, city
railr roads and omnib1ses, abound in the raw
materials for practical retrenchment and re-
form.
The Mayor exhibits a becoming degree Of
solicitude concerning the extort;ons and CD.
pressions which, for many years, have been
practised upon the emigrants coming to this
port;" and calls attention to this subject in
several propositions OF amendment, emnently
judicious and salutary. His remarks, also,
upon the practice Of many European govern
ments, of shipping their paupers and criminals
to the United States, and chiefly to this port,
should be followed mp by such legislation on
the part of our Corporation, our Legislature,
and Congress, &c the subject imperiously
demands. 1t is quite enough that this
country should be universally esteemed as the
asylum of the oppressed Of all nations-as the
land of refuge for the able hearts and will
ing hands that are borne down amidst the
over populated despotisms Of Europe; but when
those governments undertake to make this re-
public, and particularly this port of New York,
q place Of Punishment for their thieves, vaga-
bonds Of all kinds, cut throa.s, and helpless
paupers, they are committing an outrage upon
American hospitality which should be resented
with emphasis, prompsness and decision.
Our police system appears next TO have re-
ceived the careful consideration of our indus
trious and active Mayor; and as his recommen-
dations here comprehend diminution of ex-
penses and an extension Of the sphere Of active
employment Of the police, one would think the
changes proposed might at least be adopted
without much damage to the public interests. We
concur in aspiring charter election, with the view
Of separating our municipal politics from the
outside party rubbish Of the State elections.
We are grati6ed to find the new Mayor, not