New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-02-08
BEpORm AN GfGB CITY GOVEHN-
TiENT.
TgE CIIIzESs ASSOCIATION or NKw-No OK
Onice no. 8l3 broadway, jan Is, 1864
OUR CITY GOVERNMENT.

ccssiuly practiced for so long period, that sys'
tomato plumber has become profession by which
hundreds have enriched themselves, AID thousands
more will follow them in the pilla;c Of the City
Treasury, unless an aroused AMI indignant people
shall combine for protection against further rob
berry.
1t is openly alleged that the powers Of tie City
Government are in the hands Of Z corrupt KING, -
who doiraud the people, waste our resources, ana
our revenues, who award franchises OF great Value
70 private individuals with little if any compensa-
ton 10 tho city, ss Cling the annual expenditure
of our Municipal Government TO an amount OPP
prcssiyo alike TO labor and capital upon both Of
which it falls with equal and unnecessary severity.
Tho amount proposed to be raised this year by
taxation for city and county is Sl3,jOC,OOo Vth
tho prospect of being increased and added to by
the Common Council aId Supervisors, to say moth
ing of the Legislature, 10 an extent making grand
total of SIS, 900 0)o,' and while such large sums
arc asked for current expenditure, the doDt 81 'Ae
city is rapidly Increasing 1t will DO seen on reles-
ence 70 official documents, that III 800 Tie 90!
and county debt vas 81 4,O0os56, and thst IN is0@
1t had reached So, 81 6i2-an increase OF more
than 100 per cent. In 1880, with population OF
eO7 ,OOO the expenses Of the City Government were
81, 036, 900; in 1868 they were ebout sl2WiVOVi
while the population has increased nve'iold the
expenses have increased tweve-fod. at this rate
of Increase Of our city expenses and debt, itwoud
= no sery distant day, amount to q confiscsaon
of the income from tho whole real estate Of the
city.
PROPERTY BELONGING TO TIKI CITY.
" IL. - halo ~ 40 M a
vharyes piers, ferries, markets and buildings
worth, at moderate estimate, Si0,OOo0Oo, has
been so mismanGgcd as to yield but trifing rev.
enue, when, if properly and honestly managed, II
might be maze to yield an annual revenue, which
would 20 very far toward paying the expenses Of
the City Government, and thereby sensiby lessen
the burden of taxation.
wHARvEs AND PIERS.
With two Of the most majestic rivers in the
world washing the shores Of our city, and bay OF
surpassing beauty capable Of accommodating the
shipping of al the world, We have the mos
wretehed system Of wharves and piers known in
any civilized country. Our vast commercial in
terests require very different accommodations
Stone wharycs aud basins, resembling, in some re-
spocts, those of Liverpool and London, could be
built under efficient and honest supervision 30 as
TO yield large revenue to the city, and afford am
pie and superior accommodations to vessels.
OUR STREETS.
The condition Of our streets certainly claims
prompt attention; they are badly paved, and many
Of them imbedded in filth, Whereby disease Is en-
gendered, destroying the health and lives Of humid
reds, to say nothing of the great physical discom
fort to all citizens, and the suferings inflicted
the horses that traverse them. To look at theil
conditionit would naturally be supposed that par
sinonious City Government was unwilling to incU
any expense TO clean keep them in order But b.
reference to the City Inspectors Department i
will be seen that there is annual charge of ncarl.
100000 for cleaning them--not half Of which il
necessary for that purpose. In fact in several o
the principal cities Of Europe, the streets ere kept
In tho best order without expense the proceeds OF
the sale of the sweePings amply reimbursing the
contractors for the cleaning
SANITARY REGULATIONS.
Owing TO a failure to adopt and enforce proper
sanitary code, the mortality Of New-York has be-
come aarmingly great. Every either has good
grounds for Serious alarm, as is shown by oil our
official returns. Unless efficient and speedy meas
ures are taken the most serious consequences may
be anticipated.
Life and health, in great ard crowded Inetropo-
lis Like this mnst not ts trihed With. Estimating
the population On this island a: one million, it sp
pears that at least 10 900 lives are annually sacri
feed that might be saved were proper sanitary pre-
cautions enforced. This state Of things bears with
great severity upon the poorer portion Of the poo
plc, whose houses are surrounded by On accumuls-
ton ofcauses Of disease. Their interests aad Tel-
fare should lot DO overlooked, they have peculiar
claims upon our sympathy and care.
IMPROVED DWELLINGS.
On reference to the regulations passed by the
Legislature il will be seen that in building tene
ment-houses the law has been in many Instances
disregarded Too much care canno. DO observed In
erecting dwelling houses intended for largo NUN
Der of persons: light and thorough ventilation
indispensable to health The City Government
shosld be most careful to adopt and enforce all
regulations that tend TO ameliorato and improve
the condition of the poor.
THE JUDICIARY.
An upright and impartial administration Of the
laws is alike indispensable TO private happiness and
public liberty. The temple ofjustice should DO held
sacred and its ministers should be eIninen,ly quail
fed by education, talent and reputation for the dis
charge of their important and exalted duties, on
the justice and wisdom Of their decisions rest ind
vidusl rights and social relations
We can scarcely over-estiInate the importance Of
this subject, and as great improvements can be
made in this department, it is fitting at this time
that public attention should be directed 10 it.