The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-01-02

John + 1ietne........... Messen2er. ou
y ~. 'eanody..... IoorstePer.
X. = Ter; icSson Reader ............. .
After the Organization Of both branches Of the Comru
Council the Mayors message Will be sent in. This III
give review Of the condition ofthe various department
an6 s also suggest measures for the considerable
and action of the members during the present yes|
Amorg the most important of the statements he VI
make will be that concerning the financial affairs Of Y
CITY, the subject is one in which all who pay taxes
deep interest From the last report presented BY Z
Comptroller it appears that the estimated expenses
city government for the year 1856 amount to abo(
six millions aud hah. To this the Finance Committed
the Board Of Ccuncilmen have added $454362 a. ~
cs.n ate for the incsvaeea espcnses of the next
months. The total sum, With this addition amounts,
So 9S2, 1896 show ing an increase Of 81 900 tl4
expenses OF the year 1855. Now, in view Of the gr(
burden which is thus imposed tax payers, Anu
which they receive comparatively trinng return,
becomes the duly Of the Mayor TO suggest rres
by which those expenses be reduced. He has areG
called the attention Of the Common Council 10 the ma
defects which exist in the different depa1 tments N Ii
are at present organized but he cannot impress (
strongly upon il the necessity for direct respo
tility the part Of the executive officer at the hes
each. In the language OF his last years message "i
exaggeration to say that sometimes twenty oaic
DeIOrgNS 10 UHcrent departments are engAM
in doing at the same time that winch could be accs
rished by man, If acting for himself, one-tw
tieh the time at .twentie II the cost whilo
depart nent is Its master and acts upon its own
tion, without consent or consultation with any oths
The present system Of contracts understand will
be treated Of in his message and the many abuses vi
grow out Of Il, and which among the most griey
tha. people have to bear. equal distribul
taxgs difarent kinds If nroncrtv nd m arY.
mcnt Of the basis upon which they should be lev
the abolition of fees in the different Offices Gonna
with the municipal government the imposition of
tain rate Of interest all loans Of funds from the ci
individuals lhe adoption Of strict rule by which
discussing cficers shall be prevented from expen
money incurring obligations, TO pay for N
tho city Is liable without previous appr,r
ton, and balance unexpended to meet II:
collection of money from the suspended sales
taxes and assessments, which can be obtained u nou
necessary Leg slatyo action empowering the Comptr(
TO proceed; the taxation of city railroads by compe
the companies to pay license each car-these Al
form the PRINCIPAL subjects which win be embrace
the Mayors Message. In regard 10 the expenses q
city, which have increased at the rate of about Ii
quarters ofa million every year for the last three or
years, person who i at all acquainted with the
ter viii deny that the whole machinery of muni
least half the amount that is annually expended
tic item Of fees alone, there instances In vhc
much from twenty to thirty thousand
lars per have been paid to one ps
These fees shoud f.rm portion of the
to dcfray the expenses or the city, while the q
should he paid air salary for the performance
cficial duties. Another way o. diminishing the tax
the city BY charging certain interest on the 4
loaned, as recommended by the Mayor in his last a
message; for as he Justly remarks there is no reas
the financial affairs Of the city In this respect sho
conducted upon any other principle than that
governs the commercial intercourse Of individuals,
There are other sntjects In addition to those ws
juet alluded TO, which will also be embraced in the
Eage Among those viii be the Police Department
of the most fertile that be- presented to the Coz
Council. The investigation Of the Legislative Comm
which adjourned last vesk, has brought 70 lieht
startling facts in relation TO the doings Of p(
Of the police. We are well aware that It u d
impossible for them to put . stop to rowd
prostitution, and the numerous other evils with
our city is afflicted, bat they accomplish moro
they are At present doing. Tho Mayor being
head of that department himself and one Of the Bo
Commissioners can also do great deal In improvt
efficiency Of the police. Every charge Of misco
against officer should be strictly investigated,
political considerations be permitted 10 interiors
the inaicton Of the penalty provided for every vic
Of duty.
Tor the improved condition Of our streets durn
past twelve months the Mayor Is entitled to all
There is much, however, to be done before New
becomes what II should be, and what its natural
,ares OF location render II capable OF bc;ns
bealtbicst city in the United States Then
Is the Russ pavsment-which Ia fast becoul
~
streets opened and graded. We should Nike.
know what progress has been made In that CsnHrs
the new cr0sOn revrvar, and what y " h tss(