The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-01-04
Organization Of the Board Of
Aldermen for 1890.
ELECTION OF A PRESIDENT.
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Re-2lection Of CLERK, Deputies and
Representations.
>>o~~~->SO-o->-~~o~~~~~o~~~ p.
THE PRESIDENTS ADDRESS.
MESSAGE OF MAYOR WOOD.
WHO GOVERNS THE METROPOLIS 7
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Attempted Organization Of the Board
Of Councilmen,
e., &C., Il.
THE PRESIDENTS ADDRESS.
MESSAGE OF MAYOR WOOD.
THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN.

to the Chair. Adopted.
Alderman Genet having taken his seat
Alderman BooIx moved that Alderman Peck be elected
President Of the Board for the ensuing year.
Alderman CORNELL moved Is an amendment that Alder
Peck be elected by aocamstion. This adopted,
and on the names being called all answered in the arma
tive, and Alderman Peck was declared duly elected.
Alderman PECK, on taking the chair, addressed the
members follows
GKNrExEs or TIM BOARD OF ALpERMES-Your call
to preside over the deliberations Of q body whose
origin dates with the foundation Of the city govern.
ment is an honor for which I can but feel deeply
voices Of my associates of the last year. Of all political
sentiments, joined with those OF the members
dence as we to grid ourselves FOR the discharge
Of the duties In that part OF the government
of the city that we have assumed, is not possible to
escape the conviction that all the signs Of the times ind
cate that brief term ia filed with serious respon
sibHes, respecting our own domestic affairs, as well
York. the great mart Of the Of the Western
hemisphere receives over the waves of the ocean the
OF the 0d word and ~ the thousand N roads
existence In activity only ensured by the maintenance
among her people Of sentiments and opinions in harmony
deracy. II undeniable that this city constantly gaining
a metropolitan character and position It's relations
whole continent strengthening its resident popu
laon well represents oil nations OF influence in the world
at this day its newspaper press, its facilities Of travel
and traffic. it's educational institutions, ali indicate this city
country thrills at any assault at any OF It's extremes
1t will be part SO to legslate that population,
curty and prosperity Besides this gentlemen, we have
duty TO our own people, domestic duty to add 70 the
security Of NE and property in the preservation Of the
merous charities, in the extension OF our noble aque
duct and reservoirs. in the completion Of that great
elcts universal appreciation, in furnishing additional
facilities for shipping, and in securing those
hst sn&
place Of residence. do not forget that the burden Of
@S $ Ss
that annually adds TO its population sixty thousand souls
and that passing through phase Of its existence in
which the general sentiment calls for o class
Of convepences, amusements and comforts for every
individual without parallel, cannot be supplied with
YOU gentlemen do much toward securing by proper
ordinances faithful application Of the means your dis
poeai and to the appreciation Of our common con-
while shall have occasion for your aid n rendering the
progress Of the business Of the Board orderly and correct
shall discharge the duties of the chair with entire
impariality and with reference to the public interest
Alderman SMITH moved that David 7, Valentine be elect
ed Clerk of the Board This carried unanimously and
the President announced that David Valentine duly
elected Clerk Of the Board Of Aldermen for the thirteenth
time.
Patrick Gallagher was then elected Sergeant alarms
by reclamation.
Alderman GENET said h. had protest to present from
Machn -nsa-d the election for the Eighth Al
dermanic district The papers were received and laid on
the table.
On motion of Alderman TuoxEY, a committee was ap.
pointed to wait the Mayor to inquire his Honor had
any communication 10 make TO the Board.
Aldermen Tourney, Henry and Starr, were appointed
such committee On their return they announced that the
Mayor would send In communication TO the Board.
Aldermen Cornell Plat and Darragh were appointed
committee to wait on the Counoilen The committee
nounced that the Counclmen had not yet organised
On motion Of Alderman BRADY the rules governing tho
last Board were adopted.
Communications were received from the Street Commits.
soner and the Croton Aqueduc Department which were
laid on the table
The message from Mayor Wood then brought In by
Mr. Thomson the Mayors Clerk and handed to the Pres
dent. The following is the document
MAYORS OnrcR, Jan. 2, 1850.
10 mK HoNoRAmR TIE COMMON COUNCIL
GNsrxMKN-To you has been entrusted the legislative
department Of the city Under the restrc
and municipal regulations will provide for the
better Improvement protection comfort and health Of the
city hope you viii appreciate the high character Of
people OF city 90 distinguished as this should enlarge the
comprehension Of your duties and enable you to perform
ia the first city Of the Western World her local govern
ment should be made 70 approximate, In degree at least
n anS hsr ,q ~ 20 truly represent her
ry and intelligence. OF late years the tendency has
been in an opposite direction As she has grown great
become the more demoraized and enfeesed This should
be- Let jointly endeavor to introduce more ele
son had no other objects to attain than those which
will rebound to The honor interest and prosperity Of
metropolis, whose people we represent
Council with ample authority in which perform these
legislative functions. There has been no improper cur
tament of necessary powers. II their duties are not
len W
selves. regret that far the executive power IL
concerned it has not been concentrated and defined
the legislative has been ia your hands While the Com
mon Council with the Mayor, can enact an ordinance
the Administrative authority not thus defined This IL
raj independent departments There s no general head
There no chief executive Instead Of One there are
eight co ordinate executives separate and independent
These departments constitute the whole aiminstratve
municipal government Of the Corporation They are the
ho Ss se Ss % ns
and the Supervisors propose briefly TO alude to the
duties and perogatives Of each
This department under the jurisdiction Of the Comp
trollcr who elected by the people. II has entire and
exclusive charge Of all mAtters appertanng the FISCAL
Affairs Of the Corporation. Under the charter, and by
specl acts Of the Legislature, the monetary Interests
have been concentrated here. The Mayor, therefore,
being wict authority, can in no way be made respon
ibe for its administration may not be out Of place to
ay that there Us general confidence in It's present ma
nagement
The head Of this department ia elected by the people
and not responsible to the Mayor any other public
officer The Mayor has not the lest supervision or con.
troll over anything appertaning to IT, In this department
are Two bureaus-the Public Adminstrators and the
Corporation Attorneys the latter having charge OF ex-
acting penalties for street membranes and through
whose agency alone this common abuse can be abatcd
IT. therefore this class Of voors Of the city ordiuancee
are not punished, the fAut lies with the Corporation A.
toFney and not with the Mayor II Is Fortunate for The
people Of New York that the Office Of Counsel 70 the OR
poraeo. has been conferred upon gentleman 90 wen
qualified 10 al respects - the present incumbent
Inc Police Department b aso independent By the Me-
toPotAn Police act passed. April 1857 this branch Of The
public service placed under the direction Of Come
sonsrs appointed By the Governor and Senate The 20
lce authority, which nom the original Incorporated Of
city had been vested IN the Mayor, was sas1srrci q
this Board and the executive control given 70 ths0eusra
Superneendent q Poce. Ths Chief Magistrate By thi
act deprived Of police authority. However erusy -
lava are violated, or the vcs peace and properly q IA
community endangered he cannot, without an illegal In
reference Offer ply scs police resistance Evcs tkcuah
riot should be excited In midst he could Do 10 mcrc
70 queii thA1 any ether citizen. Thc ocia authoriy