The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-07-16

Condition OF tho Street. Department..
The Street Commissioner presented to the
Common Council at the meeting of the Board
of Aldermen on Thursday, q report Of the
state of his department for the past six
months. The management of the Street De-
parsment under its present chief is unques-
tionably better than 1t has ever been before; but
the operations of the Street Commissioner are
SO fettered by bad legislation and the blunders
of former incumbents that il is not yet perfect
by any means. Owing to the fact that the fiscal
year begins on the 1st Of January, the depart
ment is left without sufficient funds for the first
quarter wherewith to carry on the necessary i'm
in the city, no money being availa-
bic except certain unexpended balances which
cannot be legally employed for any work except
that for which they have been specifically appro-
priated. To overcome this evil 1t is necessary
to fix the commencement of the fiscal year on the
LIST of July, in order that the Legislature may
take action on the tax levy, and that at the same
time some means may remain in hand to carry
on the work.
The Street Commissioner complains Of the
mode in which the Legislature has cut down Ger
tain appropriations for useful purposes, and in
stead of specifying the purposes to which they
are to be applied, Jumping them under general
heads. This way of making appropriations de-
stroys all system and nullifes every effort to
establish check by one bureau OF department
upon the other.
The Street Commissioner suggests many i'm
provements, without which, he says, the business
Of his department cannot be properly conducted.
Among others, the change Of the fiscal year, and
the appointment of inspectors of work done I'm
der the different bureaus at fixed salaries, in
stead Of their transitory employment at two dol
Jars Gay, no matter how important the work
may be.
With regard to the work done by the Street
Department for the first half Of this year, we find
that twenty-three contracts have been made since
the first of January, and twenty-five awards Of
contracts not yet confirmed by the Common
Council. The amount of assessments transmitted
for collection was $l,593,5s4; while there was
remaining unsolicited on the LIST of January
S1,040,746. The amount paid by the Collector Of
Assessments to the City Chamberlain since then
was s517, 5s7, including interest; and the amount
returned to the Bureau of Arrears $92,3S9.
The total amount reappropriated by the Com
mon Council for the Street Department was
$4s5, 06S, which, added to the sum of 1897 ,l25,
authorized by the Legislature apparently for the
exclusive use Of that department, made total of
$1,0s2, 1913 available to the Street Commissioner
Of this amount there has been expended, and re-
QUESTIONS drawn upon the Comptroller, for
$402, All, leaving an anexpended balance on the
3Oth Of June of Sl,0SS,0S7. This, added to re-
QUESTIONS drawn against appropriations for sala-
ries, contingencies and other accounts, makes the
expenditure of the Street Department for the
first half of the year s636,7S4.
The Street Commissioner complains that the
sum Of $127 900 asked for to keep the roads in
repair-a sum which he says would suffice for
all the roads on the island-had been cut down
to $50, 900 by the Legislature, of which $40, 900
was appropriated for Kingsbridge road, and the
remainder for all the other roads and avenues,
an amount clearly insufficient in the present con-
dition Of those thoroughfares. He represents q
portion Of Bloomipgdale road in good condition,
and says he intends to keep it 80, and do his
utmost to put all the roads in repair as far as
the appropriation goes promise which we trust
he will keep. With reference to rebuilding the
City Hall, which, as it now stands, is disgrace
to the city, we are informed that competent
architect is engaged on the plans and speciica-
tons, which will be ready as soon as practi-
cable.
The report on the whole is an intelligent and
satisfactory document, in this respect dissimilar
from the usual reports of the public depart
ments, and seems to be the production Of an
officer who understands bis duties and desires
conscientiously to perform them. Meantime we
hope that the Common Council will carry out
the suggestions Of Captain Smith, and urge upon
the next Legislature the necessity of making
their appropriations with more defniteness in
order that he may be able to perfect the reforms
be has set on foot in that formerly chaotic insti-
tuition, the Street Department.
The Sons OF MAITA.-We have received the
following invitation from a secret society, of
which there are branches in this city and in
various parts Of the country
i. O. 8. N.
CHICAGO, July Z, 1869.
TO THE EDITOR or 1HK NEW YORK
The Sons Of Malta the United States contemplate an
excursion to start from this city the 2ist OF July for
St. Paul, the Falls of Mnnebaha and st. Anthony MINI
The Order Of the Sons Of Malta is founded in charity
and It's aim and object to recognise the principles of
and good will toward all men, TO feed the hungry, cothe
the naked and educate the orphan well the diffusion
Of the principles OF American freedom throughout the
broad limits Of the Continents and trust the
time when the stars and stripes shall proudly wave over
soil now oppressed by the power OF deepots.
The committee Of arrangements respectfully invite your
participation In the excursion.
An carly reply will greatly oblge your obedient ser
wants.
A. N. hyde. Com nittee
JAMES 81. RUrTER.
We hardly know what to make of the ~. o.
S. NJ Their objects, as stated by themselves
are excellent charity, love, good will, feeding
the hungry, clothing the naked and educating
the orphan. This is truly disinterested, noble