The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-11-24
Just in my line and IL you have not already given Il


out think ] can do II as cheap as any other man.
8. 9. lin contemplating manner)--well, don't
know whether it can be done now. l have not look
ed into 1t yet and it is impossible for me to say 1t
present whether Twill have it DONE But let me see;
what are your terms?
Mr.. il have already made an estimate Of it,
and find that the lowest sum it can be done for ia
$24s IS, and that you know is exactly under the
$3.50 as prescribed by law.
S. C.-Yes, understand that, but as have al.
ready said, have not looked into the matter yet,
and II will require some consideration. must look
out for the interests Of the city. The people have
been too much imposed upon already, and it would
not look well for any official to encourage II by
lessness. am not certain, besides, that this job
you speak Of should he done, and after have looked
into it may, perhaps, get it performed much
cheaper. The peoples money must be economical
Till have more time to devote to II will refer you
to my friend, Mr.. Simkins, who is very reliable
man. OF course, you know II il no object TO me
only so far az the public interest is concerned.
Mr.. il think we understand each other per-
fectly-it is all right shall see Mr.. Simkins i'm
mediately, and whatever is fair towards the people
shall be done.
At the termination Of this interesting interview
Mr.. jenkins goes in search Of Mr.. Smkins, whom he
finds without much difficulty about the City Hall or
in one of the restaurants in its vicinity one OF which
has become somewhat celebrated through the Jo-,
seph Walker case. Mr.. Jenkins and Mr. Simkins
take drink, and while taking the drink come to an
understanding about the aforesaid job, which Mr..
jenkins finally secures for consideration"
Now we do not assert that such an interview ever
toL pla Int that
nifty is afforded the Street Commissioner or any
other head Of department under the present con.
tract system to take advantage of such opportnni.
ties as are presented by the want Of effective
laws and more effective charter. The only remedy
for such corruption wherever it exists-n whatever
department to be found In the charter of 1880,
and in the investment of the Mayor with more au-
thority and holding him responsible for the perform
Of the duties Of the various officials under his
supervision and control.
The number Of officers in the Street Commission
ers department, is about forty including the City
Surveyors, of whom there are twentythree. The
Street Commissioner himself receives, as we have
said, $4,000 year, and his deputy, 81 500. Then
come the clerks, who receive the following sala-
ries:-
map CLERK .,,........,,,.,..,.,..., 81 900
Contract clerk. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 900
copying clerk ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 1000
Inspector Of Sidewalks. .................... 600
Superintendent OF Wharves ..,.......... 900
Superintendent Of Lands and Places ....... 900
In addition TO these, there three Assessors one
Collector Of Assessments, and three Deputy CoiIec-
tors, none Of whom receive settled salary, bat
whose Offices, nevertheless, are more lucrative than
those Of the regular saared clerks. The Assessors
get two per cent on the amount assessed, and the
Collectors two and q half per cent on the amount
collected. Tie estimated receipts of the three As.
SCISSORS during the past twelve months amounted
TO S24 000 while like amount was realized by
the Collectors. Now here we have a yearly sum
Of S4s goo expended for the collection Of money,
which We say. on good authority could be collected
for one-tenth the amount, at the very least. Then
there are twentythree Surveyors TO be feed and the
Corporation Counsel to be paid for the part he per-
forms. The greatest responsibility and importance
is attached to the Office Of City Surveyor who il
charged with the actual care and execution of the
ctys public works. II is therefore evident that he
should be man of unimpeachable integrity, and
every way qualified to perform the duties of his Of
fee. In the case Of the opening and the grad.
ing of Eighty-third street, it seemed, however,
that both on his part and that Of the Street
duty. From the report of the special committee
appointed on the subject, it appeared that the pub
lie was defrauded out Of $4,000 by collision
ofthe parties concerned in the work. In this matter
the committee arrived at the conclusion that not
only the Street Commissioner, but the head of the
Finance Department, was also to blame in making
the payment of about twenty thousand dollars on
work which i. was clearly proved had been i'm
properly performed and could have been completed
for much smaller amount.
lis, in fact notorious how effectively the grading
OF streets has been done, and Instances have oc
CURED in which work which cost several thousand
dollars, was so mserably executed that it had to be
performed over again at double the original expense
While this and the other departments are organized
as they exist at present and while the executive
officer, who stands at the head of each il for all
practical purposes irresponsible, IL is absurd 10
expect q reform in any of them. 1t will not do to
trust in every case to the supposed honesty Of Of
fcals, for while off .es of trust are placed in the
hands Of successful politicians we cannot expect to
have much control over them. Our remedy, az we
have said is to be found in return to the charter
of $780, and BY investing the Mayor with more power
and authority than that of mere Supervisor.