New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-01-03

Il
Of Discipline. The unorganized portion Of the militia
or that part which is required by the law to be
rolled liable to be drafted into service in case o. in.
surrection INVASION comprises, by estimate 49,
0C0 men, making the disposabls force of the Safe
amount in the aggregate to at least four hundred and
sixty-nne thousand four hundred and thirtyve officers
and men,
Though trust it may never be necessary to em,lov
this strong for any unfriendly purpose, vet q
well regulated militia is necessary to the security II
free people," and to maintain such an organization y a
part of the established policy Of our country. The
"right Of the people to keep and bear arms' ia one
secured to them by the Federal Constitution Although
fully enjoying liberties it Is the dictate of prudence
that the military spirit Of State should continue TO
be fosteed Ever ready in the past to defend their In
stitutions we have for the future in our citizen SOL
derry pledge of domestic security, and Of safety from
external violence.
The arsenals and armores of the State those liberal
contributions to the wants u our citizen sodery are
with single exception, in excellent condition, and arc
occupied by the organized militia of the districts In
which they respectively located. The exception TO
which allude the Brooklyn arsenal which, after
thorough examination by the Comnissary General and
number OF scientific and military gentlemen was con-
demned dnsae, and the of for drilling abso-
lutely prohibited. The report Of Commissary General
will be presented to you in few days. and viii
tain information and suggestions upon this subject as
well as upon others which will be found to be import
ant as connected with the military department.
The Metropolitan Police has steadily grown into
popular favor, and now commands general apprcba.
ton. At the last Presidential election, orcss M
when every unruly element Of the populace has usn-
ally had full sway, peaceful and orderly were Ls,
Streets and particularly the polling places that the.
police won the unqualified appreciation of all good chi
The act Of last Winter reduced the number II
Commissioners from seven 10 three, enlarged their
powers and conferred upon them new and i,portaet
duties.
The Police District comprises the Counties Of New
York Kings Wertehester and Richmond and the toyns
Of Jamaica Newtowp, and Flushing in the County Of
n ;,t
is $50 square miles, with an estimated population Of
100000. The force consists of superintendent 4
inspectors, 80 captains 143 sergeants, and 00 patrol
men. The Supervisors OF tn" County of New-YorS
have recently authorized the appointment Of 100 add-
onal ratrolmen for that city. In the City OF New
York there is one policeman to $50 iDhabitants; in
Brooklyn, one TO $50 In European cities the relative
number OF policemen is much greater. The servicee
rendered by the different departments Of the police IL
enforcing the law for the suppression of liquor seIius
and theatrical exhibitions Sunday; in inspecting thu
safety Of ferry boats, and tories the condition
OF tenement houses, and the cleanliness Of slaughter
houses, TO which, in large degree, must be ascrbea
the exemption OF NewYork from diseases incident to
hot weather. and in reporting and causing to be taken
down repaired all unsafe buildings, together with
the ordinary patrol and detective duty entle the forc
10 the designation OF tuardans Of the public moralr
health, and order.
Another important service performed by the police Is
that OF the examination Of boilers. Many Of these
have been found in unsafe condition. and ex erenco
performed by the police thoroughly and eeouomi-
cally than by independent board Of inspection Ne
precaution wiz preven occasional accidents from steam
boilers, yet authority should exist for compelling the
Observance Of such proper regulations this subject
as will protect life and property. II is probable that
some amendment of the police act in this regard viii
be required well in respect 10 the power Of CON-
peng the payment Of the expenses OF purifying tene-
ment houEes and also IN other matters Of minor details
The report Of the Comn sioners which will be duly
submitted to you contains mach important information,
as well many valuable suggestions and recommends
tons, affecting the publ welfare, and commend it 70
your most serious and careful attention.
The Board Of Commissioners Of Pilots have continued
during the past year to discharge the duties imposed
upon them, although the Legislature of last Winter
made provision for the expenses incident thereto.
The necessity Of protecting the wharves and piers Of
New-York from misuse and incumbrance, and the wa
tiers of the harbor from encoaehment too obvious to
require argument. The vigilance of the Commits
eionere has prevented to great extent the practice
Of throwing forbidden articles into the waters the i'm
proper discharge of cargoes and incumberlng of tho
wharves ard piers They have caused the removal Of
several sunken vessels which have endangered navga-
ton. But among the most important acts OF the Board
has been the removal of portion OF pier No. ii North
River which extended twenty-nine and half feet
beyond the pier line, as fixed by law, and was
structed after the line established Great ereds
is due the Commissioners for the prompt, efficient
and fearless manner in which they have discharged
the responsible duies teyoviDg upon them IN procur-
ing from the Courts perpetual injunction restraining
the completion of the unfinished pier south of pier No.
l. North River. An appropriation should be made for
the proper charges of the Commissioners.
Chapter $40 Of the laws of 1862 created in the City
Of New-York the Department of Public Charities and
Correction, and abolished the Almshouse Department.
The Commissioners, four in number, appointed by tho
Controller of that city, have reOrganized the esablsh
menis under their charge. They recommend several
am. ndments the laws TO enable them more eiectu-
ally accom- sh the objects of their appointment. II
il claimed by them that much injustice Is occsioned by
ha off hos OIL ha "
of New York fr, dstribuiye share Of The commpta-
ton moneys paid by shipowners, masters or consgn
ees although the county Is obliged like all the Others,
to support It's share OF the foreign poor and that, in
exemp,ng the Commissioners Of Emigration from sup
porting those persons passengers who hsve been alb
sent from the State mere than year. the County Of
New-Yorb for obvious reasons, becomes unjusty bur-
dened.
lice Courts to the Institutions Blaekwelrs Lland,
for intoxicaiion the party may be and often is
committed fifty, and in some instances seventy live
times within very brief period The sentences Of
the offender are from two 10 ten days, period inst
long enough 20 enable him TO rest IN HIS revolutions,
recover his sobrety partake of the Inequalities of tbs
prison. and then go forth, certain only 20 gsviias
again To his friendly quarters. Although fully aware
OF the warrant character of Ofthe persons 30 fire.
ouently sentenced by them the police magistrates have
no power 10 commit for yagrancy, an offense not
proven nor indeed alleged against those 20 regu-
iarly brought before their Courts. A conviction on
this charge would procure for these persons maca
to cure the evil complained OF; and il is submitted
whether it should not be made the duty OF some officer
TO attend the police Courts in the character Of public
complainant against this class OF offenders
think amendments are necessary 70 chapter
seyentT.two of the laws OF 1850 relating 10 the bar
bor-mas,ers of the port of New York The defect Of
the law is found 10 be in not prohibiting harboTmas
tes from employing assistants 10 perform their duties
and from absenting themselves from their posts and Il
ia believed that these subordinaes 10 some extent,
exact and receive illegal fees for berthhg vessels.
Stringent provisions against the employment of assist