The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-01-04

Total .......................$ SO 1893 .3IT 20
This amount includes not only the arrearaes with the
Clerk Arrears the other in the hands OF
the several collectors of assessments.
is, however, the apparent amount as it is subject to
considerable deduction by Of meDt into the
city treasury by former Collectors OF Assessments Of
moneys collected by them and by the fact that certain
sessments Invalid account OF frauds or Irregular
ties that the city cannot recover from the owners Of
property the amounts paid TO contractors for the i'm
provements and that have also been male
to contractors.
large amount is also due for interest the valid
liens being collected at the rate Of twelve
cent per from the confirmation OF assessment all
items not paid before their the Finance Depart
arrears the city receives excess OF interest
safe it for the less on invalid assessments.
During the past year the Collector OF Arrears has
ceved and paid into the Treasury arrearagcs including
interest, the amount of about 81 100000 A large
of arrearagcs remain, however, uncollected,
additional returns OF arrears are continually made by the
Collectors OF Assessments.
Parties have, in numerous instances, produced the re-
cepts OF former collectors, although the lien upon the
property has not been discharged Investigation Of tnc
accounts of the Collectors OF Assessments has been
made by Street Department reports thereon have
been made Of the deficiencies discovered. tu aud de-
tailed report Of the accounts of this bureau from the
1852 the present time, will be submitted you
early day, by the street Commissioner The JOINT Com
mee Of Accounts have also made partial examination
Of these deem ii my duty Call your
ton To the great importance of directing the Corporation
Counsel 10 take immediate steps for the Of the
sums illegally retained and OF such other Gums as have
been illegally obtained from the City Treasury.
In this connection, would call your attention to the
proprety Of applying for leg Station by which the
city may be enabled collect the fair value Of improve
rnepts which should be paid by assessment in cases IN
which by OF 1rreguary IN the ordinance
contract the assessment has been be set aside
In these irregularities have been the result
Of fraud in others of neglect 10 comply strictly with the
sla;ue, and in others contracts which were made good
faith and supposed 10 be valid w according recent
Of the Courts be held to he invalid For instance,
has been held that contract given TO the party who APP
pearcd be the lowest bidder upon the estimated quaint
ties OF work to be done but who upon the development
the performance Of the work Of the actual quantities,
proved 10 be not the lowest bidder upon applying the
terms of his bid 10 the latter quantity void.
Ia many cases large payments have been advanced on
contracts which IRREGULAR but indignant there
IL no reason why the owners of property shoul be re-
leased from paying the fair value OF the improvements
would recommend. that an application be made the Le
gsaturo for commission, 10 be appointed by Mayor
and Comptroller 70 determine the fair amount that should
be paid by the owners Of property IN cases where
have been aside for irregularities and
mine the amount 70 be assessed in Of works
partially completed for which have not yet
been made and In regard TO which similar irregularities
exist
By the ESTIMATES Of the departments the tax levy of
1850 will IS 900 0O0 for all purposes
with the city government In this is included
s2q5 5s SO for arrearagcs of 1857 and 1855 This item
although less than that provided for the tax OF 1883 is
still than it should be- and more than a sys-
tenn Of expenditure among the several branches Of the
city government and the various Boards and Commis.
soners created by the legislature would warrant This
amount will, however be increased by claims for judg
ments and other arrearages not included by the Comp
troller.
The item for schools Of that Of 1853
by $40 0o0-dcductng for last years appropriation the
OF 500 for arrearages Of 1854 This year the
Board Of Education bave called for 81 24e 900 The ex
Of this department have been gradually increasing
from year to year since $780, when they but
s26I $685. Whatever may be the cause am satisfied that
undera less complex system the children OF the city
would have ample opportunities for receiving good
education, and these expenses be largely reduced.
In my annual message OF last year called the at.
tention Of the Common Council particularly 70 this
subject and suggested whether the increasing expen-
dtures Of the common schools Of the city were not
some degree owing 10 the number OF local Boards,
each controlling the schools Of their respective wards
Independently of each other and TO great extent OF
the Board Of Education; and that IT, instead Of these
numerous local boards, the whole system under
the control and government OF single board OF inel.
gent and educated citzens whether great reduction OF
expenditure would not be effected without In the least
mpalring the efficiency Of the system. This subject is
worthy Of your consideration and trust that you
will early take action thereon with the Wow applying
the Legislature for change by which the means of
sound public education be procured less expense
There also In the budget for 1859 items under
the control Of any local authorities aludc To the Com
Schools State and State Mill tax.
The amounts required for these purposes are re-
spectvely s3es 395 II
e295 500 90
or total or 327 cs5 II
the State for schools upon property and distributing
population city pays than its Just proper
ton Of the amount raised by she whole STATE 10 this way
we have paid, during the last seven years, 81 4 56 10
more than fair proportion, while this year the excess
over fair apportonment will be $685. 1896 IL 50 also in
regard TO the State tax This city has paid and continues
pay, under the present system Of the valuations Of pro-
pcrty, an unequal and burdensome tax II equalza-
ton in the valuations Of property In theyhele State
made, this city would be relieved OF large of
taxation cal Cd the attention OF the Common Council 10
these two subjects In my last annual message and would
again earnestly invite their attention thereto with the
view Of obtaining legislative relief from this tax
alton.
also invite your attention to the expenses imposed
upon the city for the collection Of the State tax ri was