The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-02-05

INV IVXAA A13SA3 IN
teKligenee, supported a. IT is sy the opinion Of
General Scott. We are told also that the sp-
proaches to our city by the Narrows or Long
Island Sound are capable of being thoroughly
and successfully defended. So far Is the person
mel required for resistance is concerned, no
city, we are told, can surpass ours in the ne
cessary material from which to make soldiers
Our militia, our firemen, our countless target
companies, could be formed into an army that
would prove invincible against any invading
force.
In regard to docks and piers, the message
contains some valuable suggestions We have
frequently called the attention of our city
government to this subject, and pointed out
the inadequate accommodations afforded by
the present piers to the shipping on both
rivers Last winter, during the period Of great
distress among our lsboring population, we
recommended their employment in the con-
struction Of such works as the best means
that could be devised for their re
lief, and pointed out the great benefit
which they would prove to the city. The
Mayor intimates that the wharfs should all
belong to the Corporation, OF, in the event Of
his Recommendation being adopted, that the
owners of such property should be made to
conform to the plan 30 as to secure uniform
stone dockage throughout. The estimated
cost of constructing pier Of stone five hun
dred feet long and sixty wide, afording
capacity for vessels drawing thirty to thirty
! five feet of water, cannot, he says, exceed
eighty thousand dollars. The merchants, he
adds, would be willing to submit to small
per diem tax upon each vessel in return for
the superior accommodations thus afforded,
and the amount collected in this way would
form fund towards the payment of the debt
incurred by the work.
That New York is greatly in need Of such
plan Of dockage cannot be denied; but we do
not think the Common Council will make any
move towards securing it until forced by
selves take an active part in the matter, and
as body urge upon the Corporation by petit
ton or otherwise the necessity for this great
! Improvement. Till something Of this kind is
done it would be vain to expect anything from
| the Common Council
The Introduction Of foreign paupers and cri-
| minals is discussed at considerable length, and
an account of the course pursued by the Mayor
in the case of the Sandman frigate Des
Geneys and other vessels. The sanitary con-
dition of the city would, he thinks, be much
benefited by the organization Of a corps Of
medical practitioners, the creation of which
would in his opinion render the City Inspec-
tors Department entirely unnecessary. His
remarks upon the police will be read with
much interest, and all who have the good Of
the city ct heart must cordially concur with
him in the hope that this body shall be freed
from all political influences.
The manner in which our streets are opened
ana the enormous expense attending WORK Of
this kind call loudly for reform. From 1914
to 1887 the average cost per mile for fees
of counsel, commissioners and others was
$3.50, but SO great has been the increase in
this one item alone that the city has been
obliged to pay at the rate of $4,000 amile for
the opening Of the Bowery from Chatham to
Franklin square.
The sale of the public markets. measure
we have always advocated-is also recon
mended, and more stringent enforcement of
the law in relation to the collection of taxes.
In consequence of the neglect Of the Receivers
to perform their duty in this particular, over
100000 has been lost to the city during the
last ten years. The message deprecates the
prodigal waste of CrotoR water, and presents
some excellent suggestions In regard to the
means by which it may be prevented.
The other subjects treated of in this message
are equally deserving of attention with those
we have referred to, and worthy of careful
perusal. Altogether, the message is one Of the
best that has ever been presented to the Com
mon Council, and will, we trust, lead to those
reforms in our city government which are 50
imperatively demanded.
The BRITISH TREATY WITH JAPAN.-We re
ceived by the last mail and published yester-