The New York herald., 1862-01-07

~N-N'~--~S
If further evidence needed prove the necessity
OF adopting this line Of policy may be found N the
eXorbapt rate of taxation which has more man
quadruped within quarter OF century. In the year
1885 the but A. 100 Of cent Oh the
sessed value oe property Since that period has been
regularly Increasing, until we now lind il lsloo per
cent exclusive Of the TO be paid TO the general go
Unless this tendency arrested by the adop
ton of prompt and effective measures OF retrenchmeht
it s to be feared the heavy burhens imposed on the n
dustry capital and of the city will drive por
OF them cities less heavily taxed and that we
shall thus lose the commercial supremacy we have min
erto possessed and which, with ordinary wisdom and
economy the city government, we may always retain
in virtue of our national advantages
1t is mistake TO suppose that property holders are the
only who suffer from excessive taxation It's bur
thens shared by ALL and hence all classes are equally
interested in securing economy IN Inc pubic expendi-
lures The poor bear their full proportion for,
although they pay nothing directly TO the tax gaherer,
they their share in increased rents
and enhanced prices for everything they consume We
shall therefore, best consult the interest of every ct
zen by pursuing the policy have Indicated.
trust shall be able to accomplish many salutary
reforms by the dligent and faithful exercise Of such
powers conferred by the present charter ;
but am persuaded should be able to do much more If
that instrument subjected thorough and careful
revision The opinion nearly universal that this is
necessary 10 the efficient and frugal OF the
city At the last session OF the Legislature
after several sttings adjourned without presenting any
plan of city government. 1t seems strange that we
should be so long looking for suitable plan when We
have model before eyes.
The best form of government ever devised by human
wisdom is that of the United States single executive
periodically elected by the people, charged with the whole
duty and responsibility of executing the laws; legsla
ture consisting Of bodies representing different
stuencies and judicial department independent Of
both and permanent in tenure. These the great
of the admirable scheme Of republican govern
ment devised and adopted by our fathers.
Applying these principles to city and omittng the
judicial department. not pertaining to government
purely municipal should have single executive head
Of the city, charged with all the functions Of admins
tration, by whom subordinate executive officers should
be appointed and removed subject always the check
Of an advisory body; and legislature consisting OF
Board of Aldermen representing set of interests and
Board of Councmen representing another.
The Mayor should of be chosen by the electors
of the whole city. He should be authorized TO appoint
with the consent OF the Board Of Aldermen all other
cutive administrative officers, except, perhaps, the
Comptroller, and also remove them for cause. Two
Of electng the Aldermen have suggestedone
of electing them the Supervisors chosen and
vesng in hem all the powers Of Supervisors as well as
known bodies representing different interests Of great
Importance for example, one portion by the Board Of
Education, another portion by tho Fire Department,
other by the Chamber Of Commerce. and another by the
Society Of Mechanics and Tradesnen.
doubtful however whether the latter mode could
be adopted under the present constitution of the state
The first named mode is practicable and would in my
opinion, be great improvement present system
The Board Of Councrnen night continue be elected
at present. or with the Aldermen elected by genera
ticket. would perha.s be better to have the Councmen
elected by single districts or wards.
If these changes made, think great improve
ment i'll the administration Of the city government would
be manifest 1t must nevertheless be borne in mind
SCOem0. however
duce good government unless they elect faithful and
capable officers administer it, What have said in
a,on to the executive department has not
any desire To Increase my own powers for with that will
come increase Of responsibility and care but from
conviction, long felt that have departed from the
plainest principles government, and have suffer
cd in the exact degree Of our departure For myself
only promise to exercise with the best intentions,
and as much diligence and skill as can command what
powers may be conided to me.
feel il to be my duty to call your attention to
the vexatious abuse arising from the changes made
have doubtful claims against thscity betake thcm.
selves to the State capital, and there often hnd
means 70 introduce these Claims INTO the levy and
to the injustice, rather than lose the means Of
rying the city No other city in the State
obliged TO apply annually 10 the Legislature for autho
rty toevy tax and what good there be for
the discrimination against this city cannot imagine.
however the practice be continued it should be an
nsxble rule that no item Of expense shall be inserted
by the Legislature which the authorities OF the city have
not asked for.
people check lavish and improper expenditures Of the
public money. As the law now stands, no citizen, how
large may be his contributions the city treasury
intorpose any obstacle to such expenditures.
cordngy recommend that application be made 70 the
Legislature for general law applicable 70 all municipal
corporations in tho state authorizing taxpayer TO
sustain action against the city authortiesfof the faith
less and improper application Of the public funds Such
law exists other countries and been found TO
operate as most sautary check on improper expen-
ditures.
The trng revenue received by the city from its largo
proves that there must be radical defect in the
agement Of these important public interests The total
by the city is estimated at Ooo The gross revenue
from this for the year l860 appears by the
Comptroler's annual report was:-
From wharves, piers and slips. .$169 800 81
FROM Terry trAncnlSeS -................ So.olZ o0
Total amount from both sources. .... SECS 122 Al
Amount Of expenditure for tho same period,
elusive Of salaries and fees connected with
their management t...................... 692S 90
Leaving the total net for 1860 .$7s 1913 81
The market property Of the city according
valuation, is worth 81 l3l goo, exclusive portions Of
Tompkns Clinton, Essex. UnioI and Jefferson markets,
which omitted in the estimate because they
occupied without revenue TO the city.
The gross amount of revenue from markets
for the year l5t0 was. .S1lI ,944 80
Deduct amount paid for cleaning. lighting, sa-
nries' repairs, nc. c....'..........''.. ol,A4l 80
Leaving the net revenue from this source
for 1850 66,703 OF
It thus appears that city s s97 o. OF
revenue from wharf, ferry and market property va
lued at little less than seven millions OF dollars.
There can be scarcely doubt that this property, by
prudent and skfu management is capable OF producing
half million OF net revenue per annum This however,
cannot be expected while its ownership remains with
city. Pubic officers lack the Incentives to careful
thrifty management that to be found in the personal
interest Of individual owners. For this and kindred
persuaded that the interests Of the city would
be promoted by the sale Of this property and the appca
on Of the proceeds toward the payment of the ctys
public debt The city would Of course reserve to itself
the right regulate the This property in protec
ton OF the public interests.
The present, however, is not auspicous time for
making the change Real estate shares largely the
gel depression caused by the The change If IL
be deemed judcious must therefore be postponed until
Of peace and the revival OF business
the wonted prosperity OF the city Meanwhile, recon-
mend thorough investigation Of the management of this
property the removal OF all existing abuses, and the
abolition OF all unnecessary Offices herewith
IL appears by the Comptroer's last annual report
the amount paid by the city for salaries
about $3.50 900 per This does include salaries
geeeua 70
tho Police Department the Department Of Public Cha
rites the Central Park Commission, by the Board of
Education. deem 1t duty 20 inquire whether this
services OF OF the employees and by reducing the
compensation of others wherever the services required
not appear be proportional to the salaries From the
best nlornation have been able to obtain satisnod
that large annual saving may be made 10 city by
this means without injury TO the public service and with
out Injustice the employees and surely tho onerous
Of taxation and our impaired prosperity demand It,
But IL Is not alone To securing an honest frugal