The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-05-02

OOeY0O~h
THE CHANGES IN THE prFFERENr DEF ARr11Evrs-rHE
CORNERSTONE OF REpAiRs AND SUPPLIES REFUSES
TO vACATE HIS ofrlcr--rHE COMPTROLLER NE
FUSES 10 PAY Under THE OLD CHARTR-THE
yR0xisxD Rs' oRss OF THE CITY INSPECTOR.
he city charter, which, according 70 the decision
of the legislature, TO 20 into operation yesterday and
which Las been acknowledged by but portion Of the city
government has ie city in curious Of anarchy
officers recognising the law and acting under lis
provisions and others denying its authority and refusing
conform its requirements Below is given an idea Of
the changes which effected under the new law and the
which they are received by the heads Of the
several departments under the new charter;-
DEPARTMENT OF REPAIRS AND SUPPLIES.
Th department, under the charge of Mfr. Selah, the
superintendent who elected by the people, and whose
Of Office has yet some time to rum has, by the
charter been merged in the Conn Board and the Street
Commissioners department. and yesterday Mr. COmptro
Ter Fag notified Mr. Seah that future he is suspend
operations, and that the Comptroller would pay any
bills for work done after the 30h Of April Mr.. Seah de-
cpcd 10 vacate his Office declaring that he had been
elected by the people to perform certain duties he would
attend To them He intends TO maintain bis possession oil
all the books documents and papers of the Office and not
10 fehnquish until compelled 10 do by the courts oil
law He will not, Of course attempt TO do any work, be-
cause be can't get any money. lie will entirely
The defensive prosecuted for the appurtenances of
hs Office will contest the matter in the courts TO the last
extremity lie has taken COUNSEL and feels satisfied that
the Legislature could constituonaly eject him. Until
this question is seled-and what length of time may
occupy no can te-theresw doubtless be but little
any work done in the department Of Repairs and Supplies
DEPARTMENT OF STREETS AND LAMPS.
The duties heretofore performed in this department
by the charter divided among the city Iusp ors and
street department The cleaning Of streets and care OF
markets goes the Street Inspector and the anp depart
ment goes to the Street Commissioner MIR. Ebing the
late Commissioner Of Streets and Lamps received from the
Comptroller notice similar 20 that served upon Mr. Selah
All the principal empoyts the department called
together, and Mr.. Filling nounced TO them that he
prepared to resign his Office in conformity with the new
charter number of them at volunteered give
months salary for the purpose Of contesng the charter
but Mr. Ebing, having the fear Of money before his
eyes, advised them to their money He said he had
much interest any of them In contcsng the charter
but he had taken legal advice, and felt confident that
constitutional enactment He therefore resigned to the
mandate Of the Legislature and notified the City Inspector
that he was prepared TO vacate quietly
THE CoMpTRoLLER's DEPARTMENT.
The Comptroller as has already been stated has notified
the other departments that he recognized the legality Of
the new charter, and should pay money except ac
cordance with its provisions He purposey delayed the
completion of number of contracts started under the old
charter, asserting that the work could be much more
economically performed under the new reoims What
effect bis coup detd OF "cutting off the supplies will
have upon those officials who contest the legality of the
new charter remains TO be He doubtless
sion much trouble by holding on TO the money, but
whether he will not thereby bring himself into conflict
with some strong opponents cannot be question of much
OF OF under the Old char
ter is abolished by the new, and that department
bodied az bureau in the Comprollers. There has been
yet no disposition made 10 contest this change the
part OF the Receiver OF Taxes though perhaps there may
b. IN a day or two
THE sTFEET DEPARTMENT.
The Street Commissioner Under the charter, has an
enaged sphere of duties The work Of repairs and sup
plies, formerly performed by Mr. Seah is made bureau
In this department. also the department of lamps and
gas formerly under the charge Of Mr. Filling and the col
eoton Of assessments. Mr. Taylor the Street Commis-
soner has sighed his willingness 70 conform to the
charter, and applications to him for permission build
vaults yesterday referred 10 the Coton Board
yet taken any steps compel Mr.. Seah give up The
charge OF his Office The street department has in addition
10 the above meptoned duties, coCnsance or opening
altering regulating grading, Tagging, curbng guttering
and lighting the streets roads and avenues and bureau
Of wharvcs. The Chief Engineer OF the Fire Department
Is made the head Of bureau IN the Street Department
have control Of repairing fire engines and apparatus With
the exception perhaps of the City Inspector the Street
Commissioner has the greatest amount Of power und pa
tonage conferred by the new charter
TIE CITY INSPECTORS DEPARTMENT.
Under the charter, the cleaning Of streets and
Of markets made the bureaus In the City Inspectors
Department. and that officer Mr.. Morton, recognizing the
validity Of the act Of the Legislature has commenced Wig
orousy the performance Of his duties. In antcipa.
ton Of them he caused the Health wardcns to prepare
h Of the houses front Of which ashes and garbage
habtualy thrown in the street These Investigations
pursued IN nearly every ward in the city, resulting
the report Of no less than 53j houses, divided among
he wards az follows
Nunal,T vamhT
Uars,s or Lo,ts.s y.t,fed Udr,is 81 house, r,nrsd