The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-01-03

Il
time the first committee returned with the following
message from the Mayor which read regular
70 the Bovrd-
THE MAYORS MESSAGE
To THk Hos THE COMMON Council
THE CRY or NEw YORK
GxSTLEMEx-In assuming the duties OF chief magis.
rate OF this great city am conscious OF its responsb
want of experience and knowledge by an entire devotion
to the public interests and hope by faithful discharge
OF my oacia trusts, to meet the appreciation and
ceye the support OF Jour honorable body and my fellow
citizens.
The preseut is not an auspicious time to commence
new administration; wbeyond the ability Of any
exercising the duties OF this the city charter
to give this people that which appears to be
required.
However may differ as to the cause, there can be
no doubt OF peryadng dissatisfaction with the muni
cipal Affairs OF this city, that this feeling exists aud
that there are sufficient grounds for IT, all admit
whether II arises from defects in the fundamcn tai laws
or from improper local legislation, from maadminis
raton upon the part Of those entrusted with tho
tive duties are questions upon which there Is diversity
Of opinion in my judgment all Of these are the causes
present system Admitting that II required modiica-
ton, the subsequent amendments have but increased
Tho allegation that II inadequate to tho increased
size and wants Of the city in my opinion entirely
The constitution Of tho United States is as ap-
picable to the present greatness OF tho republic 10
was to the federal Union at the time OF its adoption.
Had amendments been made to II at the instance Of
every party statesman who deemed II iSsuicient
should have fallen TO the same condition q nation
that this city has as corporation
The mistake In disturbing the charter OF 1880 not
only in the alterations effected but also the introduc
ton Of an uneasy spirit in tho people, who by
tnual application TO state legislation have been taught
10 look TO foreign remedies for domestic abuses.
Thushaye we transferred TO Albany much that could
have been better cared for among ourselves forgetting
the old republican maxim, that power should be dele
gated which can be exercised ~ the people themselves
fully adhered TO by the trainers OF the national consu
ton In all countries and in all ages the utmost
ton has been observed In granting TO Representatives
the right of even ordinary legislation.
We should not present the first instance In which
people voluntarily suenders the power TO form the
ganic laws yielding that highest Of all prerogatves TO
men who owe responsibility not chosen by
suages who are foreign to our interests do not under
stand our wants, and who consequently, liable TO
become the tools OF designing men, having selfish or
corrupt objects OF their own to obtain.
Amendments 10 the charter OF 1880 have, after
minsterng the government by portions OF six different
charters, which create nine executive departments,
havingundenned doubtful, and conflicting powers with
heads elected by the people, each assuming to be
sovereign and Independent OF the Others Of the Mayor
o other authority and beyond the reach OF any
except that OF impeachment by The Common Council
which never has been, and probably never viii be,
exercised.
This hresponsbility has been productive Of careless
ness In expenditure and negligence In the execution Of
the ordinances.
Thus the attempts TO remedy eferts by foreign aid
which could have been accomplished at home We have
sSapsd and upconroabe "a%assted many headed IL
my opinion, developed its wsrst characteristics. -
20 far my duties defined feel some embarraaa
ment Even coordinate powers with the several
tive departments denied TO me in quarters and
the fact that predecessor under the charters
have not attempted their exercise is relied upon
tanning this position
without desiring TO question the wisdom OF those who
have preceded me in this Office, must be permitted to
construe my powers and duties ! understand them.
Restricted the prerogayes OF the Mayor have been by
almost every Legislative act appertainng TO tho govern.
men of this city for several years s there i sufficient
left instii energy Into the administration than
ezlss, ami 10 hold at least supervisory check
over the whole city government.
II IL true that though ostensbly head Of the Police
Department be IL not so practically la the essential
elemenes Of authorythat Of controlling the retenton
or removal Of his own subordinatss The Chief OF
Police holds his place independent OF the Mayor that
officer having been appointed during good beha-
missioners under the law Of 1853, which
they construed 70 give that authority. lie
caanot soius appoint or remove the humbest subordl
nate In the service, make the rules aud regulations
for its goyernance. OF these requisites Of power
cesery 70 make an veient police corps, he Is BY law
deprived. Dfcsplne can only be obtained and main
tained by tbs firm hand of unrestricted power besides
i 1 wrong In principle 70 mako any public oacer re-
sponsble for the acts or suboronates who placed
beyond hs individual power TO remove
These Of the evils arising from the reqnent
Application TO state legislation Tor this city Instead Of
asimpis form Of government easily UNDERSTOOD the
power 81 its officers wel Defined that there could be
conflict misunderstanding, have full o the
il Is not my purpose At this time to indicate a sub.
stitute, though cannot omit 10 add my belies that
the most perfect form of government was that
adopted by the trainers OF tho federal consiitu.
ton Its clear and simple provisions are equally
applicable to municipal eorporation. or 70
be 70 the city what the President Is 70 theI Fens
raj government. There should be corresponding
executive departments, with heads selected by tbs
Mayor (subject TO the confirmation o. the Board Of
Adefmen,) who should have entire control, and be-
himself, responsible 70 the people The Mayo, and
general uniformity Of action and cooperation with
each other In carrying out the laws and preserving the
general interests of the city. Over the whole should
govern tho chief magistrate, he should have the
power hch history teaches Is the least danger.
and the most positive for good.
Certainly we have suffered more from legislative ~.
sumptons, m sconduct OF subordinates In authority
than from the tyranny or corruption q chief ruler
Precedent shows there IL safety In the laor not only
in the exercise Of authority for the public veal but
barrier against the wrong dongs Of the former The
stronger the head the healthy the body. but II
sreng Is taken away by dyerting il % multitude of
beads the whole becomes erervatsd and unable TO DIS
charge its functions
because II creates high responable authority Do
Capitalization is subvesive Of all good oresutvo govern.
mept.
This want Of concentration has been the prime canss
ef the Immense load Of taxation which we now bear.
TO compare the relative taxation per individual under
the charter Of 1880, and that nov existing viii prove
this assertion.
In ls43 she amount raised By for the support Of
the city government mipiOn seven hundred
and forty thousand ave hundred and sixteen dol
lars and 1fty nine cents whereas, in 1888 u Vas i've
mions sixty thousand two hundred and seventy
hve dollars and sixty nine cents, and this year Y s
nearly elk millions IA startling increase Need yon be
told that this addition Of two hundred and hfiy per
csntum IL the result of either corruption waSeful
extrayagance, the natural consequence q rresponsi
biltyf
Ard here let me dyeree 70 remark that 70 tolerate
prohigate outiays of the public money, whilst nearly
tenth Of whole population are IN want Of The
necessaries Of hfe s as shocking 70 humanity a. V n
justice TO large and valuable class Ot our suffering
felos.citzens.
surely admonishod that this rate u tAIaiion
be continued of II should Be devoted 70 the relief
Of the poor, whose industry bears most of ia burthsna
and wh0 ringing into ears their ces y dis
tress. labor never depressed as nov. Employ.
ment Ia almost entirely cut o. and procured, its ~
munsration Il totally Inadequate, owing 70 the high
price a articles q substsncs The prices of aboF ani
u food bear relative equality.
In ordinary times o. general prosperity capital pos-
seetes adyantagrs over labor.
Capital can always protect itasf and II 10 only AZ Pc
RODS Of imitation when capital Ia directed 30 speculA