New-York daily tribune., 1859-01-04
PUBLIC MEETINGS.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.


Beng called the following member sLsweied 70 their
raues:
Henry Smith, John Hsnv,
Tbouss STEPHENS, John Bray
Eschssl TD0rnsy 0sorE. starr.
Joan Lyps', koe-r, L. Dsrfssn'
John J. Brsolsy, James DseG'
Thomas McsI~don Henry '" b,nF-
The Board proceeded TO the election Of Presi-
dent for the ensuing year. Aloermen sGith'no
Brsdey were appointed teDsrs. Fourteen V"e'
were est Of when were for Thonas hcSPedoo'
ad 6 for james Osens. On motion Of AID. OwESs'
AID HcSPEDos was declared unsnimouay eiec'ed'
On motion OF AID. BooLE, Aldermen Osen' ana
Booe conducted the newly elected President 70 Tue
Char, when be made the following s2eeeo;
G,sTLENES o. 1HE BoasD OF ALDLaaEr-t ,l .Hu;,'r-t
sos pt most gratefully the position you nave assigned
me- ard for this kind mark of confidence on yOuf part
permit n 10 return my sincere thsnss; nope IL VII
lie considered pardoDable when cay that feel proud
Of The position u viii h you have p.tced me IL II,
M an ,toes snd with al men, ltutsol3 ambition to
he T.s,tvirg Of the good vii snd cOaf lsnce OF thOs
with whom they may b. Associated, and II IL 70 TN
alone ] owe roy posiiion among yoa D-1sy. Uenlie-
men feel seIsoiy this Bind expression on yO1r
part from The fact that know there among tuOse
Who ft to elevate zoe 10 the position VI Pre-
fdDg Officer Of this Board many who are better htted
fr the position than myseh Yet a. you have oy your
votes placed me here SHAH neither shrink from the
duties nor the responsibilities attached 70 the 0hoe,
but shall endeavOr, by a stnd seDse OF Jishce ana
mpsriialty Of ruliog on al questions, ~ c)oynce
every member that spirit Of fairness thaD marx our
Cientenen it is no mean position We occupy form
ing as DO the highest legislative branch OF the Cty
Government-a city in point Of wealth aud Popaiail'n
second 10 tais continent, aa1 comparing Ia
yoraby with London With Pans, and toe larger cues
of the Old World-ec city far outstrpping wealth aud
population two-tb rds Of the Sates OF TINS tnloh u
sit, 10 which is raised and disourssd annually some
tveIy millions Of dollars; for when we take INTO con-
alteration the large amount Of money tbvs raised Ia
addition 10 the amount raised by the Tax levy Tor sPe
ci6c purposes IL will be found that there 10 niue shOt
oftgenty million dollars raised annually by the people
Of tho city. ,
Certleaep. when tbs ia careflIy considered the
position We occupy more impOrsot than would ap-
p4 ar 10 n casual observer. Consequently II benoo'e3
ns as faithful guardiaus of tue trust cOnfdsd 10
care TO lock well and scrotinize carefully every
me asnre that before tbis body For II IA with
ms in great 10 lessen the burden nuder vnch
tie people " tie city now groan. Not EthstanHiOg
there IL much OF bs amount that IL entirely out oi
the control o the Common Council, that raise AMI
spent by special commssion, yet there ie sufficient
over which have "a direct control To MAKE marked
difference ia favor Of those Tor whom We are sent here
to legislBte.
sh III hope, gentlemen, that every member Of this
Board viii ex,t himself wO the confidence ana de-
serve the appreciation Of the entire community
Gentlemen, II this eau be brought about, then vii
feel truly proud Of the position you have just paced
me in.
Gentlemen, 10 You must look for support in the
trost you will be no ugent, should ] not IN every
particular meet your expectations. You vii believe
NE when siy that shall ende svor TO be governed 10
my rulings as presiding officer by a stflct sense of
nGh and With an npar'iab.y that will cary c0Dvlc.
tion and thar you Will at least do ms the credit, If
err ut tines tO believe il wa an error OF Judgment,
emo not a dispoiti0n 10 90 II wrong.
After tie speech If the President, on motion OF Nr.
BRADY, ID. T, Valentine declared upaninoddy
elected the Clerk for the following year. Serge
n. .t.4.l N.14a
slct.d.
On motion of Mr. SsAcRsT, the rules Of the Old
Board were adoI ted.
A Committee, consisting Of Messrs. Genet, Seagnst
and Lynes was appopte1 10 wait on the Mayor, and
another Committee appointed TO wait on tae Board
Of Cour cimen, and inform them that the Board was
organized
Tie President then named Mr.. Henry Morford as
the Re ader Of the Board for the ensuing year.
Mr. BooLr stated that he had letter IN present to
the President. II ives the resignation of Alderman
John Clancy the rewy elected County Clerk
On motion ui Mr.. ADAMS, the resignation was ac-
ceptsd.
Mr. BRADY here became impatient aud announced
that he was about to move to adjourn as he did no,
believe in sitting there all dsy for the Mayor any
BODY else lie yielded to the sugg. stcns of ether
members Of the Board however, and did not make the
motion.
A Committee from the Board Of COuucimeu an
uounced that that Board was organized. The Mayor 6
Message was here handed in by Mr.. AuLp the Mayor
Clerk, and was read.
MESSAGE OF MAYOR TiEMANN.
MAYORS Orricr, NEW YORK, jan. 3, 1852.
To ns Honorable the Co~mos Couso!
GrsTL,nrN: The Charter of the City imposes on
the Mayor the duty Of communicating to the Com non
Council at least year, general siatemett OF
the situation and condition of the City, in relation to
its government finances and improvements; and gem
eral custom has prescribed the day of your annual
oryspig aron as the time when such communication
shall be made.
hany of you called for the first time to participate
in the duties Of municipal legislation, may in common
with no small portion of your feowcitizens, be im-
pressed with the belief that the powers of the Common
Council are greater than they actually are, especially
in regard to the disposition of the large sums which
are raised 10y taxation, nominaly Tor the sup
port of the City Government; whle in fact the larger
part of these revenues entirely beyond the legs-
latiye interference or control of your honorable body
II IL true that your duties are highly responsible
that many ptere connected with the good govern.
mert and the general health, comfort and ornament OF
the city st under your SUPERVISION and that am
pie opportunity is afforded in the proper performance
of these duties o engage much OF your time ana aeh-
ton Other bodies have however, been vested by
the Legislature with the power Of entirely controlling
the larger part of the public funds while the entire
responsibility If Increased expenditure and augment
ed taxation is generally placed upon the Common
Council.
Ia former wears such responsibility might Justly have
been attributed to them nearly all the expenditures
connected with the City Goveroment were then nnisr
their control management but gradually they nave
been shorn by the Legislature of powers they previ-
ousy possessed whicn have been conferred upon com
missions and other public bodies, over whose expendi'