New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-01-04
Totsl............69,Qs,36


| Thee annual expenditures, though large are yet
small hen compared wiz the results and the number
of children taught Berides in then sre Included the
cost Of the purchase Of and the erection OF several
| slacious school houses, amounting in 1898 70 over
$500 COO for that year. Estimating the population OF
this city at 800 GEO t may be nearer oOO the tax
Oh each person for school purposes is less than II o0
| per abnupi or for family OF SIX persons LAX OF
seventeen cents per week, or estmailpg the average
humber Of children taught at 100000, and the
| average expenditure at 81, 20o,0O the average
| expense OF teaching each pupils is but sl2
These gratifying facts however do not dissipate the
grave error III permitting any Department 70 SQUIRE
20 large outlay Of money and perform its duties
without amenabilIiy to the Corporation. Tue Board
of Education like the Ams-House and Police, draws
money from the Treasury in gross without rendering
IN return vouchers detailed account OF ITS eNpend
ture. 1t uausacts its own business in its own way,
without being liable to ally other authority. II there
be 10 abuses under euch u system, the people have
been more fortunate in elecGDg ts educational officers
than they are generally in the choice OF other public
tervants.
THE CRoTON.
The powers Of this Board very extensive. Is
has charge of the Croton aqueduct, reservoir works
and property connected with the supply and dstribu-
ton Of water in the city; Of the construction, repair
and cleaning Of the sewers of paving, repavinR, and
repairing Streets of digging and constructing wells,
and tue collection Of arsiug from the sale OF
Croon alter. These duties comprehend great public
interests and affect the health and comfort Of the cit-
to iIcalculabe exteLt, md yet the Mayor Is
clothed with no power 10 supervise, much ess drect
them.
The Croton Board, constituted by President,
Commissioner, and an Engineer, compose q managing
trinmvraie, who in no way arnenAbie 70
any chief executive. Though those officers, in
the first instance, derive their authority by appointment
from the Mayor and Board Of Alderman yet the ten
Of Office being for five year, without any provi-
sos for removal, however grsa, :he necessity, they
are totally independent Of the creative power Tue
large expanded by this Board and the subordi-
mates appointed by 1t, are matters over which Tue
May has control 1t is conducted comparatively,
upon close corporation principle as the Aims
House Department.
Many Of It's present duties having been conferred
upon by the Charter Of 1857 u IN impossible TO give
fair statement Of the amount OF the appropriations
for during the past ten years, nor Ia possible To say
with " hat economy IT 10 now being administered.
THE STREET DEPARTMENT.
This " probably the most important department OF
the Corporation, being ntrusted with wider field Of
operation Than any other II has coynzanoe Of OPEN
ing, altering, regulating grading, Tagging curbng,
Bue'ng, and lighting streets, roads places, and ave.
eDue-; of building, repairing and lighting wharves
shd pers aud filling and cleaning out slips and basins;
the construction and repairing Of public rosde the
and Improvement Of public lands and places; the filling
up OF snnktn ots; the construction, repairing light
ing, and care Of the buildings, Offices rooms and public
yards Of the Corporation; the supplying the public
buildings and Offices and rooms Of the Corporation the
Couit-roous for which supplies furnished by the
Corporation the police stat,on-houses, the engine and
other loufes Of the Fire Department, and the public
markets with fuel, stationery prin'ing and all other
tbies necessary therefor; the construction, altering
ard repairing II fire engines hose, and ali other ma
chimes and apparatus for the Use OF the Fire DEPART
men The removing incumbrar ces from streets roads
places wharves, piers and slips; the dong aud fur.
hthng OF all other necessary work. repairs auc sup
pes not provided for ia other Departments; and the
collection Of oil assessments ll' - - -
There duties are performed by bureaux, Of which
thsre are eight Ihs Street Conmsssousr 10 tbs hsaa